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Banggong Co
Banggong Co is a famous border lake. It lies to the north of the Ritog County and extends westward across the border. “Banggong” comes from the Indian language, meaning “a patch of meadow.” In the Tibetan language, this lake is called “Cuomu Angla Renbo Co,” which means “Long-Necked Crane Lake.” Most part of the Banggong Co lies in China, with only a small part in Kashmir. From east to west, the Banggong Co lake is 155 kilometers long, with an average breadth of 2-5 kilometers. The broadest place from north to south is only 15 kilometers. The 593-square-kilometre lake is 4242 meters above sea level, with the deepest point reaching 57 meters. Its eastern part inside China is fresh water, while the western part in Kashmir is salt water. Although the fresh water part is crystal clear and the water tastes sweet, there is only sparse vegetation on the bank. On the contrary, the salty water part has reared lush meadows on the bank.
The Banggong Co is famous for the schizothoracin, a kind of carp unique in Tibet. The fish in the Banggong Co is known as “Crack-Bellied Fish” among the locals because at its anus and anal fins line large scales that appears like a long crack along the belly. This fish has evolved to meet the harsh conditions of the Tibet Plateau. At the lake centre is a small island at 300 meters long and 200 meters broad. Bar-headed goose, brown-headed gull, blak-necked crane and nearly 20 other species of birds dwell on this ideal resort. When they all gather, the sky is throbbing with wings and ringing with songs. This bird island is at the world’s highest elevation. Nearby the lake’s banks are sites of some prehistoric tribes.
