Basong Co

Basongcuo, also known as Cogao Lake, means "green water" in Tibetan. The lake is more than 3,700 meters above sea level and covers an area of ​​more than 6,000 mu. It is located in the high gorge and deep valley of the upper reaches of the Ba River, more than 50 kilometers away from Gongbujiangda County in Nyingchi Prefecture. It is a famous sacred lake and holy place of the Red Sect. Although Basongcuo is hidden in a mountain valley with poor transportation and far away from towns, it is widely known to the outside world for its lush forests and the clear water in the mountains, becoming one of the earlier known landscapes in Nyingchi. The water of Basongcuo Lake is clear and the snow-capped mountains surrounding it are reflected in it. Birds such as yellow ducks, seagulls, and white cranes float quietly on the water, and fish swim back and forth in the lake, making it even more peaceful. About 100 meters from the shore, there is a small island called Zaxi Island. Legend has it that the island is a "hollow island", that is, the island is not connected to the bottom of the lake and floats on the lake. Although it is just a legend, it is amazing. You may try stamping your feet in some places on the island to see if you feel hollow. There is another small and exquisite temple on the island with an area of ​​less than 200 square meters, called "Cuozong Gongba Temple". It was built in the period of the Tibetan king. It is a Nyingma temple with a history of more than 1,500 years. The main offering in the temple is Padmasambhava. At the foot of a statue of Yamantaka, there are two natural pebbles with a concave round hole on them. It is said that it is the hoof print left by the war horse of King Gesar when he conquered this place. In addition, there are many magical legends in other places on this small island: the sword marks left on the stone by King Gesar's sword, the "letter tree" with naturally formed Tibetan letters on the leaves, the footprints left by Songzang Gampo on the stone, the holy spring where Padmasambhava washed his face... All these make people admire this island full of miracles. There is a "Child-Seeking Cave" full of magical legends beside a stream on the south bank of Lake Basongcuo. On a large rock, there is a small hole about 20 cm wide and 40 cm deep. In the hole is a round protruding stone, which looks like a female reproductive organ. Legend has it that this small cave was blessed by Guru Padmasambhava, and it is very effective to pray for children here. There is also a "Padmasambhava Practice Cave" on the beach not far away. On the west bank of the lake is the "King Gesar's Arrow Testing Site". It is said that on the 15th day of the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar every year, a long white ribbon will grow on the center line of the lake bottom under the blue water. Locals say that it is a huge white Hada presented to King Gesar.