Xinluhai, more widely known as Yilhun Lhatso, is the turquoise lake north to the Chola Mountain. Elevation 4040 meters with three sides surrounded by snow mountains and the north by the side of national highway of 317.
Wild flowers blooming by the side of the lake in summer, stones carved with om mani padme hum, the six holy words in Tibetan Religion, forest stretching to the distance to the foot of the snow mountains: Yihun Lhatso provides a beautiful Tibetan alpine view in the deep mountains in western Sichuan of Kham. The lake is one of the biggest in this area and with an average depth of 10 meters. It is a glacier lake. The neighboring sites of interests include Chola Mountains, Manigango, Dzogchen Monastery, etc. The base camp for a climbing trip to Rongma Ezha (Mt. Chola) is by the south end of the lake. Yilhun Lhatso is one of the popular views on national highway 317 because it's very close to the road.
Yilhun Lhatso
Yilhun Lhatso
Yilhun Lhatso
Yilhun Lhatso
Yilhun Lhatso
Yilhun Lhatso
Yilhun Lhatso
Yilhun Lhatso
Yilhun Lhatso
Yihun Lhatso is located 100km west to Ganzi and 100km east to Derge just next to the G317 highway east to the road tunnel of Chola Mountain. It is oly 10 minutes drive out from Manigange town.
Since 2023 Xinluhai Lake has been turned into a tourist park that everyone needs to pay a ticket to get close t the lake or doing any walking near the lake. The normal way of visiting can use the golf car and to the shore of the lake and take photos. For more active travelers you may walk further into the south end of the lake or above for higher views of the mountains and lakes.
Nearby Xinluhai by the east valley there is a smaller lake Rilongtso that no one visits there. It requires further drive for around 20 min to get to the lake. Rilongtso is the starting point of the classic Chola Mountain Kora Trek. Usually a good starting place for (guided) backpacking treks.
Rilongtso
Recommended time of visit: 1h to full day
Ticket Information: 60yuan
Business Hour: 9am - 5pm
