Pangong Tso#Geography

Historically, the lake is viewed as being made up five sublakes, which are connected through narrow water channels. The name Pangong Tso only applied to the westernmost lake that is mostly in Ladakh. The main lake on the Tibetan side is called Tso Nyak (the "middle lake"). It is followed by two small lakes called Rum Tso. The last lake near Rutog is called Nyak Tso again.

{{cite book |first=Sven Anders |last=Hedin |title=Scientific Results of a Journey in Central Asia 1899-1902: Central and West Tibet |year=1907 |publisher=Lithographic institute of the General staff of the Swedish army |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4sM_AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA521 |page=521 |quote=From Noh to Bal Rawling followed the same route that I did along the northern shore of the Tso-ngombo, which he calls the Tso Mo Gualari, dividing it into the sections: Tso Nyak, the twin lakes Rum Tso and Nyak Tso. He says that it consists of a string of five lakes 120 m. in length, the four most southern of which are fresh, and Pangong, the most northerly, salt. They are joined together by channels about 60 feet in width and 15 feet deep, the current running at nearly 1½ mile an hour.}}

{{cite book |first=M. H. |last=Saward |title=Routes in Asia: Routes in the territories of the Maharaja of Jummoo and Kashmir, and adjacent countries |year=1878 |publisher=Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing |pages=31–33 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=chlg4U-SaQ4C&pg=PA31 |quote=Only the lower lake (the Pangong Tso proper) lies in Ladak, the middle (Tso Nyak) and upper lakes being in Rudok territory. ... The waters of the western end are much more salt than those of the eastern end near Ot. in the stream connecting the Pangong Tso with Nyak Tso the water becomes drinkable, and rich grass is found on the banks.}}

The whole lake group was and is still often referred to as Tsomo Nganglha Ringpo ({{bo|t=མཚོ་མོ་ངང་ལྷ་རིང་པོ}}) in Tibetan.

There are different interpretations of the meanings of both Pangong Tso and Tsomo Nganglha Ringpo. The Ladakh government website says "Pangong Tso" is Tibetan, meaning "high grassland lake",

{{Cite web |title=Pangong Lake |publisher=Union Territory of Ladakh |date=2019-10-29 |access-date=9 January 2020 |url=https://ladakh.nic.in/places-centres/pangong-lake/ |quote=Pangong Lake, one of the most famous lakes in Leh Ladakh, derives its name from the Tibetan word, "Pangong Tso", which means "high grassland lake".}}

however travel books say Pangong means "hollow".

{{cite book |author1=Michelle Coxall |author2=Paul Greenway |title=Indian Himalaya: a Lonely Planet travel survival kit |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NxMwAQAAIAAJ |date=1 September 1996 |publisher=Lonely Planet |isbn=978-0-86442-413-6 |quote= The salty Pangong Tso - Pangong means 'hollow' - is the highest lake in Ladakh at about 4300m, and is flanked by massive peaks over 6500m high.}}

{{cite book |author=Kirit Rindani |title=Indian Himalaya: Story of a 100 Visits |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nHZ5CwAAQBAJ&pg=PT80 |date=7 January 2016 |publisher=Partridge Publishing India |isbn=978-1-4828-5886-0 |page=80 |quote=The word Pangong means 'extensive concavity' which probably explains its size.}}

Tsomo Nganglha Ringpo is Tibetan that is interpreted to mean various different but similar meanings -- "long, narrow, enchanted lake" by Chinese media sources,{{cite news |title=Pangong Tso Lake in Tibet |work=China Daily |date=2012-07-17 |url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/travel/2012-07/17/content_15589533.htm |quote=Pangong Tso Lake is a trans-border lake extending from the Ali prefecture of China's Tibet autonomous region to India. About 155 kilometers in length, the geographic features of the lake are indicated in the name which in Tibetan means "long, narrow, enchanted lake". |access-date=9 January 2020 |archive-date=24 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124202959/https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/travel/2012-07/17/content_15589533.htm |url-status=live }} "female narrow very long lake" by early European explorers,{{cite journal |last1=Trotter |first1=H. |title=Account of the Pundit's Journey in Great Tibet from Leh in Ladakh to Lhasa, and of His Return to India Via Assam |journal=Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London |volume=47 |year=1877 |pages=86–136 |issn=0266-6235 |doi=10.2307/1798740 |jstor=1798740 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/1449388 |quote=the Pangong, but better known to the Tibetans as the Chomo Gna Laring Cho, which, being literally interpreted, means "Female narrow very long lake." |access-date=6 May 2020 |archive-date=4 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104064616/https://zenodo.org/record/1449388 |url-status=live }} and "long-necked swan lake" by other modern sources.

{{cite news |title=Pangong Tso Lake in the Northern Tibet |publisher=Kangba TV |date=2017-03-06 |url=http://en.kangbatv.com/ly/jdjs/201703/t20170306_3312250.html |quote=Pangong Tso Lake, at an altitude of 4,200 meters, is also called Tsomo Nganglha Ringpo Lake, which means "a swan with a long neck" in Tibetan. }}

{{anchor | Geo | Range }}

{{see also|Geography of Ladakh|Geography of Tibet||l3=|}}

Pangong Tso is surrounded by three mountain ranges: Changchenmo Range to the north, Pangong Range to the west, and Kailash Range (Gangdise Shan range) to the south.[https://theprint.in/opinion/if-india-loses-grip-on-kailash-range-pla-will-make-sure-we-never-get-it-back/542327/?amp If India loses grip on Kailash Range, PLA will make sure we never get it back], The Print, 12 November 2020.[https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/both-china-india-ramp-up-infrastructure-on-north-bank-of-pangong-tso/article67034490.ece/amp/ India, China ramp up infra on north bank of Pangong Tso lake], The Hindu, 3 July 2023. According to the Britannica, the Changchenmo Range and Pangong Range are sometimes considered easternmost part of the Karakoram Range.[https://www.britannica.com/place/Pangong-Range Karakoram: Pangong Range], Britannica, accessed 13 October 2023. Kailash Range, runs along southern bank of the Pangong Tso, from centre of Pangong Tso at Lukung to the west to Phursook Bay and Mount Kailash.

{{main|Sino-Indian border dispute}}

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| caption = {{center|Contested LAC near the Pangong Lake{{citation |editor=India, Ministry of External Affairs |title=Report of the Officials of the Governments of India and the People's Republic of China on the Boundary Question |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AP4ruQEACAAJ |year=1962 |publisher=Government of India Press }}, {{cite report |url=http://www.archieve.claudearpi.net/maintenance/uploaded_pics/ORC_01-32_Part1.pdf |title=Chinese Report, Part 1 |pages=4–5 |access-date=5 July 2020 |archive-date=13 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013164954/http://www.archieve.claudearpi.net/maintenance/uploaded_pics/ORC_01-32_Part1.pdf |url-status=live }}

The location and terrain features of this traditional customary boundary line are now described as follows in three sectors, western, middle and eastern. ... From Ane Pass southwards, the boundary line runs along the mountain ridge and passes through peak 6,127 (approximately 78° 46' E, 38° 50' N) [sic] and then southwards to the northern bank of the Pangong Lake' (approximately 78° 49' E, 33° 44' N). It crosses this lake and reaches its southern bank at approximately 78° 43' E, 33° 40' N. Then it goes in a south-easterly direction along the watershed dividing the Tongada River and the streams flowing into the Spanggur Lake until it reaches Mount Sajum.{{efn|The LAC displayed is that marked by the OpenStreetMap editors, said to reflect the Chinese maps.}}
with "fingers" – mountain spurs jutting into the lake{{cite news |author=Lt Gen HS Panag (Retd) |date=4 June 2020 |url=https://theprint.in/opinion/indias-fingers-have-come-under-chinese-boots-denial-wont-help-us/435145/ |title=India's Fingers have come under Chinese boots. Denial won't help us |work=The Print |access-date=16 June 2020 |archive-date=4 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604122153/https://theprint.in/opinion/indias-fingers-have-come-under-chinese-boots-denial-wont-help-us/435145/ |url-status=live }}}}

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Pangong Tso is disputed territory. The Line of Actual Control (LAC) passes through the lake. A section of the lake approximately 20 km east from the LAC is controlled by China but claimed by India. To the south is the smaller Spanggur Tso lake. The eastern end of the lake is in Tibet. After the mid-19th century, Pangong Tso was at the southern end of Johnson Line, an early attempt at demarcation between India and China in the Aksai Chin region.

Khurnak Fort lies on the northern bank of the lake, about halfway up Pangong Tso. The dispute over the fort was discussed in a 1924 conference, which remained inconclusive. After the conference, the British government decided that Tibetans had a better case and not only Khurnak Fort but also Dokpo Karpo and Nyagzu were part of Tibet. In 1929, following the protests of Kashmir Durbar, they decided to drop the British claims made in behalf of Kashmir state.{{cite book | last=Lamb | first=A. | title=Tibet, China & India 1914-1950: A History of Imperial Diplomacy | publisher=Roxford Books | year=1989 | isbn=978-0-907129-03-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Nm5wAAAAMAAJ | access-date=2024-08-01 | page=359}} The Chinese established their military presence in the Khurnak Fort by 1958.

{{Cite book |last=Sali |first=M. L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z6y2E9gw5oIC |title=India-China Border Dispute: A Case Study of the Eastern Sector |date=1998 |publisher=APH Publishing |isbn=978-81-7024-964-1 |pages=82}}

On 20 October 1962, Pangong Tso saw military action during the Sino-Indian War, successful for the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).{{Cite book |last1=Burkitt |first1=Laurie |last2=Scobell |first2=Andrew |last3=Wortzel |first3=Larry M. |title=The Lessons of History: The Chinese People's Liberation Army at 75 |publisher=Strategic Studies Institute |pages=340–341 |date=July 2003 |isbn=1-58487-126-1 |url=http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/PUB52.pdf |access-date=26 June 2009 |archive-date=5 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205072610/http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/PUB52.pdf |url-status=dead }} The area remains a sensitive border point along the LAC.{{cite news |author=Pubby |first=Manu |date=7 October 2008 |title=Pangong Lake is border flashpoint between India and China |newspaper=The Indian Express |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/pangong-lake-is-border-flashpoint-between-india-and-china/370135/0 |access-date=23 June 2009 |archive-date=6 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706174711/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/pangong-lake-is-border-flashpoint-between-india-and-china/370135/0 |url-status=live }}

{{cite news |author=Shahin |first=Sultan |date=1 August 2003 |title=Vajpayee claps with one hand on border dispute |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/EH01Df02.html |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030801213428/http://atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/EH01Df02.html |archive-date=2003-08-01 |publisher=Asia Times}}

Incursions from the Chinese side are common.

{{cite journal |author=Holslag |first=Jonathan |year=2008 |title=China, India and the Military Security Dilemma, Vol 3(5) |url=http://www.vub.ac.be/biccs/documents/APaper_BICCS_2008_China%20India%20Security%20Dilemma.pdf |url-status=dead |journal=BICCS Background Papers |publisher=Brussels Institute of Contemporary China Studies (BICCS) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606004107/http://www.vub.ac.be/biccs/documents/APaper_BICCS_2008_China%20India%20Security%20Dilemma.pdf |archive-date=6 June 2011 |access-date=2009-06-24}}

In August 2017, Indian and Chinese forces near Pangong Tso engaged in a melee involving kicking, punching, rock throwing, and use of makeshift weapons such as sticks and rods.{{cite news |author=Sushant Singh |title=India-China conflict in Ladakh: The importance of the Pangong Tso lake |date=20 May 2020 |work=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/india-china-conflict-in-ladakh-the-importance-of-the-pangong-tso-lake-6419377/ |access-date=21 May 2020 |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212020229/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/india-china-conflict-in-ladakh-the-importance-of-the-pangong-tso-lake-6419377/ |url-status=live }}

On 11 September 2019, PLA troops confronted Indian troops on the northern bank.{{cite news |title=Indian, Chinese Troops Face-off in Ladakh Ahead of Modi-Xi Summit, Army Says Tension De-escalated |date=12 September 2019 |work=CNN-News18 |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/indian-chinese-troops-face-off-in-ladakh-month-ahead-of-modi-xi-jinping-summit-2305615.html |access-date=12 May 2020 |archive-date=7 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107231903/https://www.news18.com/news/india/indian-chinese-troops-face-off-in-ladakh-month-ahead-of-modi-xi-jinping-summit-2305615.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.rti.org.tw/news/view/id/2054821 |trans-title=China's military exercises in Tibet frequently affect China and India's future crisis response |script-title=zh:中國在西藏地區軍演頻繁 牽動中印未來危機應對 |date=10 March 2020 |language=zh-tw |editor=Chang Ya-Han {{lang |zh-tw |張雅涵}} |work=Radio Taiwan International |access-date=16 May 2020 |archive-date=11 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311153414/https://www.rti.org.tw/news/view/id/2054821 |url-status=live }}

On 5–6 May 2020, a face-off between about 250 Indian and Chinese troops near the lake resulted in casualties on both sides.{{cite news |author=Dinakar Peri |date=10 May 2020 |title=Indian, Chinese troops face off in Eastern Ladakh, Sikkim |newspaper=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indian-chinese-troops-face-off-in-eastern-ladakh-sikkim/article31548893.ece |url-access=limited |access-date=13 May 2020 |archive-date=12 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512053057/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indian-chinese-troops-face-off-in-eastern-ladakh-sikkim/article31548893.ece |url-status=live }}

{{cite web |script-title=zh:中印邊境再爆衝突 150士兵毆鬥釀12傷 |trans-title=Another 150 soldiers in the Sino-Indian border conflict caused 12 injuries in a fight |work=Hong Kong Economic Times |date=11 May 2020 |author={{lang |zh-hant |費風}} |language=zh-hant |url=https://china.hket.com/article/2639292/中印邊境再爆衝突%20%20150士兵毆鬥釀12傷 |quote={{lang |zh-hant |消息指，第一起事件發生於5月5日至6日，在中印邊境的班公錯湖（Pangong Tso ）地區，當時解放軍的「侵略性巡邏」（aggressive patrolling）被印度軍方阻攔。「結果發生了混亂，雙方都有一些士兵受傷。」{...}2017年8月，兩國軍隊曾於拉達克地區班公湖附近爆發衝突，當時雙方擲石攻擊對方，雙方均有人受傷，最終兩軍在半小時後退回各自據點。}}}}

{{cite news |title=Chinese military bolsters troops in Aksai Chin region in Sino-India border: Report |date=19 May 2020 |newspaper=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/chinese-military-bolsters-troops-in-aksai-chin-region-in-sino-india-border-report/articleshow/75810930.cms |quote=On May 5, around 250 Indian and Chinese army personnel clashed in Pangong Tso lake area in Eastern Ladakh. |access-date=20 May 2020 |archive-date=19 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519125336/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/chinese-military-bolsters-troops-in-aksai-chin-region-in-sino-india-border-report/articleshow/75810930.cms |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Khalid |first=Saif |date=28 May 2020 |title='All-out combat' feared as India, China engage in border standoff |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/5/28/all-out-combat-feared-as-india-china-engage-in-border-standoff |work=Al Jazeera |access-date=5 February 2022 |archive-date=5 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205102530/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/5/28/all-out-combat-feared-as-india-china-engage-in-border-standoff |url-status=live }}

On 29–30 August 2020, Indian troops occupied many heights on the south bank of Pangong Tso. The heights included Rezang La, Reqin La, Black Top, Hanan, Helmet, Gurung Hill, Gorkha Hill and Magar Hill.{{cite news |last1=Dutta |first1=Amrita Nayak |title=Army now holding 30 dominating heights, earlier unoccupied, on southern bank of Pangong Tso |work=ThePrint |date=3 September 2020 |url=https://theprint.in/defence/army-now-holding-30-dominating-heights-earlier-unoccupied-on-southern-bank-of-pangong-tso/495077/ |access-date=15 December 2020 |archive-date=2 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102084611/https://theprint.in/defence/army-now-holding-30-dominating-heights-earlier-unoccupied-on-southern-bank-of-pangong-tso/495077/ |url-status=live }} Some of these heights are in the grey zone of the LAC and overlook Chinese camps.{{cite news |last=Sagar |first=Pradip R |date=2 September 2020 |title=India controls dominating heights in Chushul sector |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/09/02/india-now-controls-dominating-heights-in-chushul-sector.html |work=The Week |access-date=15 December 2020 |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212042416/https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/09/02/india-now-controls-dominating-heights-in-chushul-sector.html |url-status=live }}

India chose to pull back from these positions as leverage for larger disengagement.{{cite news |last=Dhoundial |first=Shreya |date=2021-02-17 |title=India's Move to Occupy Kailash Range Became Turning Point in Disengagement Talks: Lt Gen YK Joshi |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/indias-move-to-occupy-kailash-range-became-turning-point-in-disengagement-talks-lt-gen-yk-joshi-3445079.html |work=News18 |access-date=7 February 2022 |archive-date=17 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217162456/https://www.news18.com/news/india/indias-move-to-occupy-kailash-range-became-turning-point-in-disengagement-talks-lt-gen-yk-joshi-3445079.html |url-status=live }} Both the Chinese and Indian militaries have vessels stationed on the lake.{{cite news |last=Hooper |first=Craig |date=5 July 2020 |title=On Pangong Lake, Chinese And Indian Fleets Square Off At 14,000 Feet |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/craighooper/2020/07/05/at-pangong-tso-chinese-and-indian-fleets-square-off-at-14000-feet/ |work=Forbes |access-date=13 February 2022 |archive-date=13 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213135849/https://www.forbes.com/sites/craighooper/2020/07/05/at-pangong-tso-chinese-and-indian-fleets-square-off-at-14000-feet/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=P |first=Rajat |date=13 June 2021 |title=Army gets special boats for Pangong Tso |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/army-begins-inducting-new-specialized-boats-for-pangong-tso/articleshow/83467836.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=13 February 2022 |archive-date=13 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213135849/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/army-begins-inducting-new-specialized-boats-for-pangong-tso/articleshow/83467836.cms |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Mayank |date=18 August 2021 |title=China raises firepower & mobility near Pangong Tso |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/aug/18/china-raises-firepower-mobility-near-pangong-tso-2346276.html |work=The New Indian Express |access-date=13 February 2022 |archive-date=14 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214235014/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/aug/18/china-raises-firepower-mobility-near-pangong-tso-2346276.html |url-status=live }}

Since 2022, China built a bridge across the lake near the Khurnak Fort.{{cite news |last=Som |first=Vishnu |author-link=Vishnu Som |title=Chinese Bridge Over Pangong Lake In Illegally Held Territory: Government |work=NDTV |date=7 January 2022 |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/china-bridge-pangong-lake-chinese-bridge-over-pangong-lake-in-illegally-held-territory-government-2692890 |access-date=8 January 2022 |archive-date=8 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108111351/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/china-bridge-pangong-lake-chinese-bridge-over-pangong-lake-in-illegally-held-territory-government-2692890 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Laskar |first=Rezaul H |title=India says China's bridge on Pangong Lake located in areas under 'illegal occupation' |work=Hindustan Times |date=2022-02-04 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-says-china-s-bridge-on-pangong-lake-located-in-areas-under-illegal-occupation-101643995642536.html |access-date=7 February 2022 |archive-date=7 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207142500/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-says-china-s-bridge-on-pangong-lake-located-in-areas-under-illegal-occupation-101643995642536.html |url-status=live }} The construction of the 400-meter bridge was completed in July 2024.{{cite web | title=China Makes Pangong Lake Bridge Operational, Builds Village Near LAC in Demchuk | website=Kashmir Times| date=2024-07-31 | url=https://kashmirtimes.com/china-makes-pangong-lake-bridge-operational-builds-village-near-lac-in-demchuk/}}

{{anchor | Road | Roads | Transport }}

{{see also | India-China Border Roads | India-China border infrastructure | Tourism in Ladakh#Roads | l3= Touristic roads in Ladakh }}

Following roads provide the access within the Indian held area:

• "Phobrang-Marsimik La-Tsogtsalu-Hot Springs Road" (PMTHR) or "Marsimik La Road" (MLR) in Changchenmo Range, via Phobrang & Marsimik La is a motorable black-topped road which runs east of Pangong Tso.{{cite web |title=India boosts road links to LAC standoff points |work=Indian Express |author=Mayank Singh |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/jul/22/india-boosts-road-links-to-lac-standoff-points-2479299.html |date=2 July 2023}} It also provides access to the "Finger-4 Road".

{{anchor | F4R }}

• "Finger-4 Road" (F4R), is a black top motorable road till "Finger-4" on the northern bank of the Pangong Tso, being built by India which will be completed by 2025.[https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/both-china-india-ramp-up-infrastructure-on-north-bank-of-pangong-tso/article67034490.ece India, China ramp up infra on north bank of Pangong Tso lake] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703143823/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/both-china-india-ramp-up-infrastructure-on-north-bank-of-pangong-tso/article67034490.ece |date=3 July 2023 }}, The Hindu, 2 July 2023.

{{anchor | LCR }}

• "Lukung-Chartse Road" (LC Road), 32 km long road connects the northwest bank of Pangong Tso.[https://www.indiandefensenews.in/2023/08/year-end-deadline-set-for-bro-to.html YEAR-END DEADLINE SET FOR BRO TO COMPLETE 20 ROADS ALONG LAC AS STANDOFF WITH CHINA LOOKS INCREASINGLY IRREVERSIBLE], INDIAN DEFENCE NEWS, AUGUST 03, 2023.

{{anchor | CKC }}

• "Chushul-Lukung Road" (CC road),[https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/wildlife-board-approves-5-roads-in-ladakh-including-daulat-beg-oldie-route-124101700391_1.html Wildlife Board approves 5 roads in Ladakh, including Daulat Beg Oldie route], Business Standard, 17 October 2024. also called the "Surtok-Kakstet-Chushul Road" (CKC road), a motorable black-topped road parallel to the southern bank of Pangong Tso, provides shortest route from Surtok, Spangmik, Man, Merak & Kakshet to Chushul.
• "Thakung Post Road": is a 5.8 km long spur of "Chushul-Lukung Road" from a T-section and it goes to Thakung Post of Indian Military, constructed under ICBR Phase-III.

{{anchor | PL }}

• "Pangong Lakeshore Road" (PL road), is a motorable road along the scenic southern shore of Pangong Tso from Kakset to Chushul via Lukung and Thakung (Indian military post).

Following roads provide the access within the China held area:

• "China National Highway 696": runs along the India China LAC and border along a route which is opposite India held Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) & Burtsa, near Kongka La pass, to Nyagzu and Khurnak Fort, to Recho (opposite India-held Dungti).
• "China National Highway 219" passes by the eastern end of Pangong Tso. The lake can be accessed by driving 12 km from Rutog or 130 km from Shiquanhe. Tourists can rent a boat on the lake, but landing on islands is not allowed, to protecting the avian breeding grounds. There are several restaurants along the shore.{{cite news |last1=黄慧英 |script-title=zh:一措再措 邂逅高原湖泊的绝美 |trans-title=Take measures to meet the beauty of plateau lakes |publisher=tibet.cn |date=4 August 2018 |language=zh |url=http://www.tibet.cn/cn/travel/201807/t20180704_6029034.html |access-date=22 September 2018 |archive-date=22 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922173348/http://www.tibet.cn/cn/travel/201807/t20180704_6029034.html |url-status=live }} {{anchor| Khurnak}}The "Khurnak Bridges" are the twin adjacent bridges over the Pangong Tso, one smaller and a bigger one for the heavier vehicle, built by China to connect Khurnak Fort on the north bank to Rutog in southeast via a new road which will reduce the distance between two locations by 150 km. India claims that this bridge is illegal as it lies in the area claimed by India. It lies 20 km east of the point [Finger 8] which India perceives to be the location of LAC.[https://indianexpress.com/article/india/defence-sources-china-pangong-tso-2nd-bridge-permanent-mea-7928121/ MEA: Two bridges built by China in Pangong area occupied illegally] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703143823/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/defence-sources-china-pangong-tso-2nd-bridge-permanent-mea-7928121/ |date=3 July 2023 }}, Indian Express, 21 May 2022.[https://eurasiantimes.com/chinas-2nd-bridge-on-disputed-pangong-lake-is-near/ ‘Xi Hao’ India! China’s 2nd Bridge On Disputed Pangong Lake Is Near Completion, Satellite Imagery Reveals] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703143825/https://eurasiantimes.com/chinas-2nd-bridge-on-disputed-pangong-lake-is-near/ |date=3 July 2023 }}, Eurasian Times, 17 Nov 2022.

{{anchor | Tourism }}

{{see also | Tourism in Ladakh }}

Pangong Tso is part of the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative of the Indian Military which will boost border tourism, patriotism, local infrastructure and economy while reversing civilian outward migration from these remote locations, it entails 77 battleground war memorials in border area including the ''Longewala War Memorial, Sadhewala War Memorial,[https://www.indiatimes.com/news/here-is-the-story-of-tanot-mata-the-diety-who-protected-indian-soldiers-from-pakistani-bombs-at-longewala-in-1971-war-259867.html The Story Of Tanot Mata, The Deity Who Protected Our Soldiers From Pakistani Bombs In 1971 War], India Times, 16 Dec 2020. Siachen base camp, Kargil, Galwan, Rezang La, Doklam, Bum La, Cho La, Kibithu, etc.[https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/battleground-tourism-india-indian-army-ministry-of-tourism-galwan-siachel-kargil-longewala-battle-2665110-2025-01-15. Add Galwan, Siachen to holiday plan. India is opening battle tourism bunker], India Today, 15 Jan 2025.

On the Indian side, an Inner Line Permit is required to visit the lake, as it lies on the Sino-Indian Line of Actual Control. For security reasons, India does not permit boating. Groups are permitted, accompanied by an accredited guide.{{cite news |title=A handy guide on how to visit the famous Pangong Lake in Ladakh |work=Times of India Travel |date=3 December 2020 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/things-to-do/a-handy-guide-on-how-to-visit-the-famous-pangong-lake-in-ladakh/photostory/79549816.cms |access-date=13 February 2022 |archive-date=13 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213125213/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/things-to-do/a-handy-guide-on-how-to-visit-the-famous-pangong-lake-in-ladakh/photostory/79549816.cms |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Javaid |first=Azaan |title=Pangong Tso opens for tourists amid Ladakh stand-off. This is how you can visit it |work=ThePrint |date=2021-01-13 |url=https://theprint.in/india/pangong-tso-opens-for-tourists-amid-ladakh-stand-off-this-is-how-you-can-visit-it/584196/ |access-date=13 February 2022 |archive-date=13 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213100450/https://theprint.in/india/pangong-tso-opens-for-tourists-amid-ladakh-stand-off-this-is-how-you-can-visit-it/584196/ |url-status=live }} The past few years have seen a remarkable increase in Indian tourists flocking to Pangong Lake. However, this surge has presented environmental challenges due to inadequate infrastructure to accommodate and manage the growing number of visitors.{{Cite web |last=Ariel Sophia Bardi |title=How "3 Idiots" Destroyed Ladakh |website=BuzzFeed |date=22 November 2016 |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/arielbardi/what-has-3-idiots-done-to-ladakh |access-date=2 June 2023 |archive-date=2 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602155801/https://www.buzzfeed.com/arielbardi/what-has-3-idiots-done-to-ladakh |url-status=live }} In 2023, on the Indian side the tourists are allowed to visit only the eastern and southern bank, access to the north bank is not yet open for the tourists.

{{ see also | Wildlife of Ladakh }}

The eastern part of the lake is fresh, with the content of total dissolved solids at 0.68 g/L, while the western part of the lake is saline, with the salinity at 11.02 g/L.{{cite web |title=班公错 |url=http://www.tibetol.cn/html/2013/hp_0415/487.html |language=zh |access-date=22 September 2018 |archive-date=22 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922135914/http://www.tibetol.cn/html/2013/hp_0415/487.html |url-status=live }} The brackish water of the lake has very low micro-vegetation. Guides report that there are no fish or other aquatic life on the Indian side of the lake, except for some small crustaceans. On the other hand, visitors see numerous ducks and gulls over and on the lake surface. There are some species of scrub and perennial herbs that grow in the marshes around the lake.

The lake acts as an important breeding ground for a variety of birds including a number of migratory birds. During summer, the bar-headed geese and Brahmini ducks are commonly seen here.{{Cite journal |last=Khan |first=Asif |date=2016 |title=Ladakh: The Land Beyond |journal=Buceros |volume=21 |issue=3 |pages=6–15 |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7UUVmCgCiGATFFhcGJqdkg3S28/view?usp=sharing |access-date=26 October 2017 |archive-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226011710/https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7UUVmCgCiGATFFhcGJqdkg3S28/view?usp=sharing |url-status=live }} The region around the lake supports a number of species of wildlife including the kiang and the marmot. The lake hosts large quantities of fish, especially Schizopygopsis stoliczkai

{{cite web |title=Schizopygopsis stoliczkae |website=China Animal Scientific Database |access-date=22 September 2018 |url=http://www.bioinfo.cn/db05/BjdwSpecies.php?action=view&id=6256 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305004532/http://www.bioinfo.cn/db05/BjdwSpecies.php?action=view&id=6256 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}

and Racoma labiata.

{{cite web |title=Racoma labiata |website=China Animal Scientific Database |url=http://www.bioinfo.cn/db05/BjdwSpecies.php?action=view&id=6226 |access-date=22 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305015534/http://www.bioinfo.cn/db05/BjdwSpecies.php?action=view&id=6226 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}

Freshwater snails of the genus Radix also live in the lake.Oheimb, Parm Viktor von; Albrecht, Christian; Riedel, Frank; Du, Lina; Yang, Junxing; Aldridge, David C.; Bößneck, Ulrich; Zhang, Hucai; Wilke, Thomas (2011). "Freshwater Biogeography and Limnological Evolution of the Tibetan Plateau - Insights from a Plateau-Wide Distributed Gastropod Taxon (Radix spp.)". PLOS One 6(10): e26307. {{PMID| 22028853}}, {{doi|10.1371/journal.pone.0026307}}.

Formerly, Pangong Tso had an outlet to the Shyok River, a tributary of the Indus River, but it was closed off by natural damming. Two streams feed the lake from the Indian side, forming marshes and wetlands at the edges.

{{cite journal |author1=Biksham Gujja |author2=Archana Chatterjee |author3=Parikshit Gautam |author4=Pankaj Chandan |name-list-style=amp |title=Wetlands and Lakes at the Top of the World |journal=Mountain Research and Development |volume=23 |issue=3 |date=August 2003 |pages=219–221 |publisher=International Mountain Society |location=Bern, Switzerland |issn=1994-7151 |doi=10.1659/0276-4741(2003)023[0219:WALATT]2.0.CO;2|s2cid=130202320 |doi-access=free }}

Strand lines above current lake level reveal a {{Convert|5|m|abbr=on}} thick layer of mud and laminated sand, suggesting the lake has shrunken recently on the geological scale.{{cite journal |author1=R. K. Pant |author2=N. R. Phadtare |author3=L. S. Chamyal |author4=Navin Juyal |date=10 June 2005 |title=Quaternary deposits in Ladakh and Karakoram Himalaya: A treasure trove of the palaeoclimate records |journal=Current Science |volume=88 |issue=11 |url=https://www.academia.edu/26184431 |access-date=6 May 2020 |archive-date=20 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120071453/https://www.academia.edu/26184431 |url-status=live }} On the Indian side, no fish have been observed, however in the stream coming from the south-eastern side (Cheshul nalla), three fish species (Schizopygopsis stoliczkae, Tibetan stone loach and Triplophysa gracilis) have been reported (Bhat et al., 2011). The low biodiversity has been reported as being due to high salinity and harsh environmental conditions (Bhat et al., 2011).

Bird Islet is a popular location for bird-watching for tourists in Ngari.

{{cite book |title=Dreams of Snow Land |publisher=Foreign Languages Press |location=Beijing |date=2005 |isbn=7-119-03883-4 |url=https://archive.org/details/dreamsofsnowland0000chen/ |via=archive.org |url-access=registration |pages=[https://archive.org/details/dreamsofsnowland0000chen/page/273 273]-[https://archive.org/details/dreamsofsnowland0000chen/page/275 275]}}

{{Weather box |width=auto

|metric first=y

|single line=y

|collapsed = Y

|location = Pangong Tso

|Jan high C = -5.9

|Feb high C = -3.7

|Mar high C = 0.9

|Apr high C = 6.9

|May high C = 11.6

|Jun high C = 17.4

|Jul high C = 20.5

|Aug high C = 19.7

|Sep high C = 15.5

|Oct high C = 7.9

|Nov high C = 1.5

|Dec high C = -3.3

|Jan mean C = -13.3

|Feb mean C = -10.8

|Mar mean C = -6.0

|Apr mean C = -0.5

|May mean C = 3.8

|Jun mean C = 9.5

|Jul mean C = 13.1

|Aug mean C = 12.7

|Sep mean C = 7.8

|Oct mean C = -0.3

|Nov mean C = -6.8

|Dec mean C = -11.3

|year mean C =

|Jan low C = -20.6

|Feb low C = -17.9

|Mar low C = -12.8

|Apr low C = -7.8

|May low C = -3.9

|Jun low C = 1.6

|Jul low C = 5.8

|Aug low C = 5.7

|Sep low C = 0.2

|Oct low C = -8.5

|Nov low C = -15.1

|Dec low C = -19.3

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 4

|Feb precipitation mm = 2

|Mar precipitation mm = 3

|Apr precipitation mm = 3

|May precipitation mm = 4

|Jun precipitation mm = 2

|Jul precipitation mm = 11

|Aug precipitation mm = 15

|Sep precipitation mm = 4

|Oct precipitation mm = 2

|Nov precipitation mm = 2

|Dec precipitation mm = 3

|source 1 = [https://en.climate-data.org/location/968275/ Climate-Data.org]

}}

File:Pangong pano.jpg

File:Frozen, Pangong Tso.jpg|Frozen, Pangong Tso

File:Pangong Lake Transparent Water & Pebbles.jpg|Transparent water

File:Pangong lake - Ladakh.jpg|In July 2018

File:Pangong Tso.JPG|During summer

File:Ducks in Pangong Tso.jpg|Birds

File:Pangong Lake, Ladakh valley.jpg

File:Pangong Lake, Ladakh, India 06.jpg

File:Pangong Lake, Ladakh, India 05.jpg

File:Pangong Lake, Ladakh, India 04.jpg

File:Pangong Lake, Ladakh, India 02.jpg

File:Pangong Lake, Ladakh, India 03.jpg

File:Pangong Lake, Ladakh, India 01.jpg

{{multiple image

|align = center

|width = 225

|image1 = Ladakh-Garhwal-1863.jpg

|alt1 =

|caption1 = Edward Weller map of Ladakh and Garhwal, 1863

|image2 = Map India and Pakistan 1-250,000 Tile NI 44-9 Pangong Tso.jpg

|alt2 =

|caption2 = Map including Pangong Tso (AMS, 1954){{efn|name=delin|From map: "THE DELINEATION OF INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARIES ON THIS MAP MUST NOT BE CONSIDERED AUTHORITATIVE"}}

|image3 = Ni-44-9-chushul-china-india.pdf

|alt3 =

|caption3 = Map including Pangong Tso / Bangong Co (DMA, 1992)

}}

{{clear}}

• Aksai Chin and its locations
• Sirijap
• Rudok
• National Large Solar Telescope
• Spanggur Tso

;Notes

{{notelist}}

;Citations

{{Reflist}}

• {{citation |last=Cunningham |first=Alexander |title=Ladak: Physical, Statistical, Historical |publisher=Wm. H. Allen and Co |location=London |year=1854 |url=https://archive.org/details/ladakphysicalsta00cunnrich |via=archive.org |ref={{sfnref|Cunningham, Ladak|1854}}}}
• {{cite journal |last1=Dortch |first1=Jason M. |last2=Owen |first2=Lewis A. |last3=Caffee |first3=Marc W. |last4=Kamp |first4=Ulrich |title=Catastrophic partial drainage of Pangong Tso, northern India and Tibet |journal=Geomorphology |volume=125 |issue=1 |year=2011 |pages=109–121 |issn=0169-555X |doi=10.1016/j.geomorph.2010.08.017 |bibcode=2011Geomo.125..109D |ref={{sfnref|Dortch et al., Catastrophic partial drainage of Pangong Tso|2011}}}}
• {{citation |last=Godwin-Austen |first=H. H. |title=Notes on the Pangong Lake District of Ladakh, from a Journal made during a Survey in 1863 |journal=The Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1lwMAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA351 |year=1867 |volume=37 |pages=343–363 |publisher=J. Murray |location=London |doi=10.2307/1798534 |jstor=1798534 |ref={{sfnref|Godwin-Austen, Notes on the Pangong Lake District|1867}}}}
• {{citation |first=Ellsworth |last=Huntington |title=Pangong: A Glacial Lake in the Tibetan Plateau |journal=The Journal of Geology |publisher=University of Chicago |volume=14 |number=7 |year=1906 |pages=599–617 |doi=10.1086/621337 |bibcode=1906JG.....14..599H |s2cid=129014522 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/2318025 }}
• {{citation |last=Strachey |first=Henry |title=Physical Geography of Western Tibet |publisher=William Clows and Sons |location=London |date=1854 |url=https://archive.org/details/physicalgeograp00stragoog |via=archive.org |ref={{sfnref|Strachey, Physical Geography of Western Tibet|1854}}}}

{{commons category}}

{{wikivoyage listing|Leh}}

• {{cite journal |last1=Streule |first1=M.J. |last2=Phillips |first2=R.J. |last3=Searle |first3=M.P. |last4=Waters |first4=D.J. |last5=Horstwood |first5=M.S.A. |title=Evolution and chronology of the Pangong Metamorphic Complex adjacent to the Karakoram Fault, Ladakh: constraints from thermobarometry, metamorphic modelling and U–Pb geochronology |journal=Journal of the Geological Society |volume=166 |issue=5 |year=2009 |pages=919–932 |issn=0016-7649 |doi=10.1144/0016-76492008-117|bibcode=2009JGSoc.166..919S |s2cid=6633788 |url=http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/8429/1/Streule_et_al_Pangong_revised_-_NORA_version.pdf }}
• {{Cite journal|vauthors=Srivastava P, Kumar A, Singh R, Deepak O, Kumar AM, Ray Y, Jayangondaperumal R, Phartiyal B, Chahal P, Sharma P, Ghosh R, Kumar N, Agnihotri R|date=July 2020|title=Rapid lake level fall in Pangong Tso (lake) in Ladakh, NW Himalaya: a response of late Holocene aridity|url=https://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/119/02/0219.pdf|journal=Current Science|volume=119|issue=2|pages=219–231|doi=10.18520/cs/v119/i2/219-231 |s2cid=239601454 }}
• SINO-INDIAN BORDER DEFENSES CHUSHUL AREA (CIA, 1963)

{{Lakes of China}}

{{Ladakh}}

{{Hydrography of Jammu and Kashmir}}

Category:Lakes of Ladakh

Category:Lakes of Tibet

Category:China–India border

Category:International lakes of Asia

Category:Tourism in Ladakh

Category:Geography of Ladakh

Category:Pangong Lake

Category:Rutog County

Category:Ngari Prefecture