Located in a deep valley at an altitude of 3,538 metes, Basum Lake(Chinese name: 巴松措) is a crescent surrounded by mountain ranges and lush trees, like an emerald embedded in a valley. Famous for its beautiful scenery, Basum Lake is also the holy lake of Red Sect. Every year, thousands of adherents flood here to worship.
Basum Lake, some times called Basumco Lake, is named as Cuogao Lake meaning green water in Tibetan language. It is a stunning highland lake lying 90km (56 miles) west of Kongpo Gymdo County. Besides offering awesome views, many glaciers on the upper reaches of the lake provide it with a constant supply of fresh water.
Basum Lake is surrounded by mountains and enjoys a temperate climate. At the feet of the snow-clapped mountains, the vegetation is luxuriant and the trees of black maples, birches, pines cypresses and azaleas connected each other to form a world of greenery. The pristine waters of the green lake reflect the picturesque snow-capped peaks surrounding the lake. The entire area around Basum Lake is so beautiful that thoughts of the inspiring Swiss Alps come to mind as one stands on the shoreline of this majestic lake. Animals are living a comfortable and easy life in Basum. Fish are shoaling in the water, birds are circling in the air and beasts are roaming in the nearby forest.
Basum is also a notable holy lake of Nyingmapa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Nyingmapa, the 'school of the old persons', the so-called red caps, the oldest Tibetan buddistischen schools, find its beginnings of the Tibetan Buddhismus in 7th and 8th centuries on the shores of Basum Lake.