Napa Lake

Chinese name: 纳帕海 (Na Pa Hai)  
Location: Shangri-La City, Yunnan Province.
Ticket: CNY60.00
Estimated tour time: 2-3 hours
Recommended time to visit: Jun to Aug and Oct to Mar
Nearby attractions: Dukezong Ancient Town, Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, Potatso National Park, Balagezong Scenic Area, First Bend of Yangtze River, etc.

Napahai is located in the northwest of Shangri-la County, 8 km away from the county, is a seasonal mountain lake, and also one of the few the thermal alpine swamp and swamp meadow in Yunnan province. Three sides by mountains and the mountain elevation is from 3800 to 4449 meters, one side connected with Zhongdian basin.　Napa Lake in Tibetan language is called "Napatso", the Chinese meaning for "the lake behind the forest".

Napahai Natural Lake Reserve is both an ideal field for herdsmen and a paradise for many species of birds. This is, in the true sense, a seasonal lake, Every year in May, Napa grassland is green while that in other area just begins to sprout. At the beginning of June, a variety of wild flowers open and flocks and herds have fun on the grassland. In summer streams from snow mountain around made it a beautiful lake. In winter and spring seasons, the open water shrink and the lake turn into a large swamp meadow. the lake turns into a temporary habitat for migratory birds, such as bar-headed geese, wild ducks and black-necked cranes which is one of the 12 rarest bird species in the world. During this period, the lake becomes an ideal place for ornithologists from around the world.

Under a blue plateau sky ,Snow mountains and villages around the lake, Yaks are grazing at grassland close to the lake with bell on their necks ringing from time to time and the wild birds seems cooperating with the sound and dancing.Nice farmland and Tibetan villages around made it more charming.