Tibet's Heaven Lake (Nam Co) has reopened after a winter break. Tickets to visit the lake, which is 4,718 meters above sea level will cost 50 yuan (about US$7), Xinhuanet reported on March 16.

Nam Co lies north of Lhasa between the counties of Damxung and Bainqoin. With warm weather on the way, the Nam Co region is now safe enough for visitors once more.

It closed during the winter because ice-bound roads and continuous snowfall made the journey to the resort impossible.

The Travel Agency of the Tibetan Autonomous Region says the lake is a favorite destination for tourists visiting Lhasa.

Nam Co is the most important of "Three Holy Lakes" in Tibet. It is a well-known holy place of Tibetan Buddhism, and measures about 70 kilometers long from east to west and 30 kilometers wide from north and south, covering an area of 1,920 square kilometers. It is the world's highest saltwater lake.

(China.org.cn by Jessica Zhang, March 16, 2009)