The Turquoise Jade of the North: Dangqiong Tso and the Ancient Fingerprints of the Earth

The Jade of the Qiangtang Plateau

Hidden deep within the Qiangtang Plateau in Nima County, Tibet, lies a lake of mesmerizing color and geological significance: Dangqiong Tso (Dangqiong Cuo). Situated at an altitude of 4,475 meters with an area of roughly 55 square kilometers, its name translates from Tibetan as "Small Dangre Yongcuo" or "Small Ocean". While it is geographically smaller than its famous neighbor, the sacred Dangre Yongcuo, Dangqiong Tso captivates travelers with a beauty that is delicate, profound, and startlingly vibrant. It is often described as a massive piece of jade inlaid into the barren northern tibetan earth, offering a visual contrast that defines the unique "Highland Aesthetics" of the region.

The Fingerprints of the Earth

1.The most distinctive feature of Dangqiong: Tso is not just the water, but the mountains that embrace it. Visitors approaching the lake are immediately struck by the clear, concentric rings etched into the surrounding reddish-brown hills. These are ancient lake shorelines, geological scars that tell a story of millennia. In prehistoric times, Dangqiong Tso and Dangre Yongcuo were part of a single, massive ancient lake. Over ages of climate change and evaporation, the water receded, separating the two bodies of water and leaving behind these "steps" on the mountain slopes. These lines are often poeticized as "The Fingerprints of the Earth" or "The Rings of Time," creating a shocking visual hierarchy against the blue sky.

A Lake of Changing Colors

Dangqiong Tso is famous for its extreme salinity and its ability to change color dramatically. It is not a static blue; depending on the weather, the angle of the sun, and the time of day, the water shifts from a milky turquoise to a brilliant emerald green, and sometimes to a deep, mysterious sapphire,. The water is so saline that it feels heavy and oily, and the colors are often more saturated than other freshwater lakes in Tibet. Under the midday sun, the lake looks like a flawless turquoise gem, while at sunset, it can reflect the golden hues of the surrounding hills, creating a visual feast for photographers.

The Guardian Village: Wenbu North

2.On the shores of this turquoise lake sits: Wenbu North Village (Wenbu Beicun), a primitive and authentic Tibetan settlement that seems frozen in time. Unlike the nomadic tents seen elsewhere in Nagqu, the villagers here live in stone masonry houses and cultivate highland barley fields that stretch down to the water's edge. This "semi-farming, semi-nomadic" lifestyle is a rarity in the harsh Qiangtang environment. From the village, one can gaze out at the "sacred lake" (Dangqiong Tso) and the distant snow-capped mountains, feeling a profound sense of harmony between humans and nature. The village serves as the perfect base for exploring the lake, offering a glimpse into the daily lives of the locals who have guarded this "Jade of the North" for centuries.