China Guide
Tibet
Tsurphu and Namtso
One of the most rewarding and popular trips in Tibet is to Namtso lake, around 230km northwest of Lhasa, taking in Tsurphu Monastery on the way. All these sights can be combined into a two-night/three-day trip from Lhasa in a rented jeep, for which you can expect to pay around ¥1800. There are no checkpoints on the roads between Lhasa and Namtso, so you should be fine without a permit. If you don't have your own transport, Tsurphu and the town of Damxhung are still reachable, although you may find pilgrim-bus and minibus drivers unwilling to risk carrying you. There is only very infrequent transport (every day or two) from Damxhung across to Namtso Qu on the shores of Namtso.