Shigatse, Tibet Autonomous RegionHigh Altitude

The Turquoise Earring of the Sky: Discovering Manla Reservoir

🚙Road Trip 📸Photography 🛤️Highland Aesthetics(高原美学)

Altitude

4,250m

Best Time

🌸 ☀️ 🍂

Ticket

Free

⚠️ Extreme High Altitude

This location is at 4,250m elevation. Severe altitude sickness risk. Proper acclimatization is essential. Consider consulting a doctor before visiting.

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About This Attraction

The Turquoise Gem of the Plateau

1.Located in Longma: Township, Gyantse County within the Shigatse City region of Tibet, Manla Reservoir (Manla Shuiku) is a stunning spectacle where human engineering meets natural splendor. Situated on the upper reaches of the Nyang Chu River (Nianchu River), this massive body of water is often referred to as "Tibet's First Dam" due to its scale and significance. However, to travelers and photographers, it is better known by its poetic nickname: "The Turquoise Earring Hanging from the Sky". Unlike the typical rugged and desolate landscape of the plateau, Manla Reservoir presents a vivid splash of emerald green. The water, trapped between steep, barren mountains, shines like a giant piece of turquoise jade embedded in the earth, offering a visual softness and color saturation that is rare in the high-altitude wilderness.

A Masterpiece of Engineering and Nature

Manla Reservoir is a large-scale water control project primarily built for irrigation and power generation, completed around the year 2000. Before its construction, the Nyang Chu River was unpredictable, often running dry or causing floods that threatened the agricultural heartlands of Gyantse, Bainang, and Shigatse. The construction of the dam, which stands over 150 meters high, tamed the river and created this magnificent artificial lake. Despite being man-made, the reservoir fits harmoniously into the natural canyon landscape. The deep water, rich in minerals and influenced by the high-altitude light, displays a mesmerizing green hue that rivals natural holy lakes like Yamdrok,.

The View from Simila Mountain Pass

The best vantage point to appreciate the grandeur of Manla Reservoir is the Simila Mountain Pass (Simila Shankou), located at an altitude of 4,352 meters. From the viewing platform here, the entire reservoir stretches out below like a painting. You can see the dam locking the river in the gorge, the jagged, grey-brown mountain ranges reflecting in the mirror-like water, and the colorful Tibetan prayer flags fluttering in the wind at the pass. The contrast between the vibrant turquoise water, the stark mountains, and the blue sky creates a stereoscopic landscape that is perfect for photography.

A Cultural and Scenic Stop

Geographically, the reservoir lies on the route connecting Lhasa and Shigatse, passing through the heroic city of Gyantse. It serves as a vital scenic node on the journey through the "Granary of Tibet". While it does not have the ancient religious history of natural holy lakes, the prayer flags (Simila Pass) and the sheer scale of the project imbue it with a sense of modern history and the spirit of development on the plateau,. The reservoir not only nourishes the fertile fields downstream but also offers a moment of tranquility and visual shock to travelers traversing the rugged terrain of the Trans-Himalayas.

✨ Why Visit Manla Reservoir

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The Turquoise Water

Marvel at the reservoir's distinct emerald green color, which looks like a giant turquoise gem set amidst the barren mountains.

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Simila Mountain Pass

Stand at 4,352 meters to get a panoramic view of the reservoir, the dam, and the surrounding mountain ranges, framed by colorful prayer flags.

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Tibet's First Dam

Witness the imposing 155-meter-high dam, a significant engineering feat that tamed the Nyang Chu River for the benefit of the region's agriculture.

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Nyang Chu River Valley

Enjoy the scenic drive through the valley, observing how the reservoir feeds the "Granary of Tibet" downstream towards Gyantse.

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Photographic Contrast

Capture the striking visual contrast between the soft, vibrant water and the rugged, desolate canyon walls.

Location & Nearby

📍 Shigatse, Tibet Autonomous Region • 🏔️ 4250m elevation

Frequently Asked Questions - Manla Reservoir Travel Guide

Where is Manla Reservoir located?

It is located in Longma Township, Gyantse County, Shigatse City, Tibet Autonomous Region, along the route between Lhasa/Yamdrok and Gyantse.

What is the best place to view the reservoir?

The Simila Mountain Pass (4,352 meters) offers the best panoramic view. There is a designated viewing platform where you can see the dam and the lake.

Why is the water green?

The unique turquoise or emerald green color is due to the depth of the water, the mineral content from the surrounding mountains, and the reflection of the high-altitude sky and light.

What is the altitude of Manla Reservoir?

The dam site is at an altitude of approximately 4,250 meters, while the viewing platform at Simila Pass is around 4,352 meters,.

When is the best time to visit?

The best time is generally from May to October. July and August are lush but rainy; September and October offer clear skies and excellent water color for photography.

Why do you include Chinese characters and Pinyin in the descriptions for Manla Reservoir?

We provide the original Chinese names and Pinyin to make your travel smoother. Since English is rarely spoken in remote parts of Western China, you can easily show these Chinese names to local taxi drivers, hotel staff, or police when asking for help, or copy-paste them directly into Chinese navigation apps like Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps.