Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh

Pangong Tso Lake is 134 km long and extends up to the border of China from Leh in Ladakh. Its glistening blue waters against the clear and breathtaking backdrop of the Himalayas are a sight to behold! A very interesting thing about Pangong Lake is that it is a saline water body that completely freezes in the winter. This lake is one of the most sparkling and attractive tourist spots in the Ladakh region. The lake looks like a dazzling crystal when it turns into a frozen mass in the cold season.

Best time to visit Pangong Lake:

The best time to visit Pangong Lake is from June to September. During these months, the weather is congenial and comfortable for extensive explorations, with the average temperature ranging between 8 to 20 degrees Celsius. Winters, although very chilly, are still popular among skating enthusiasts.

Places to see in Pangong Lake:

Shanti Stupa

Shanti Stupa is one of the most beautiful places to visit near Pangong Lake. Shanti Stupa means ‘Peace Pillar’ and was constructed by Japanese Buddhists and holds great religious significance for Buddhists. It was conceptualized by the Dalai Lama for spreading Buddhist ideologies.

Chang La

From Chang La, you can ride a bike or jeep and soak in Nature’s astounding beauty lying all around you. It is a beautiful place whose name is derived from that of a saint known as Changla Baba. It is the highest roadway that directly takes explorers to Pangong Lake.

Things to do in Pangong Lake:

Camping under the stars

Spending the night at Pangong Lake is extremely thrilling – putting up tents and campfire with some barbeque under the cloudless starry skies is an ethereal experience.

Ice Skating

Pangong Lake turns into a wonderful skating spot that draws enthusiasts in the winters when the temperature drops to almost minus 5 degree Celsius. One can enjoy skating over this expansive lake from October to February.

Wildlife Photography

If you are an avid photographer, Pangong Lake will provide you with the scope to capture the most amazing views of wildlife. You can spot bar-headed geese, Siberian cranes, and various other migratory birds during the summer.

How to reach Pangong Lake?

Pangong Lake is easily accessible from Leh via road, rail, and flights.

Closest Railway station or bus stop to Pangong Lake:

Regular bus services are available from Leh to Pangong Lake. It takes around 5 hours to reach the lake which is located around 150 km away from Leh.

Since Leh does not have its own railway station, one can access it from the nearest railway station, JKSRTC, which is in Jammu.

Closest Airport to Pangong Lake:

The nearest airport is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, in Leh, which provides regular flights to all major cities in India.