Situated at the height of 4, 250 meters, Pangong Lake is an endorheic lake in Himalayas. It is 134 km long and 140 km away from Leh in Jammu and Kashmir. Having crystal clear blue water, this lake is 5 km wide and approx. 60% of its length lies in Tibet, a region controlled by China. Another name of this lake is Hollow Lake.
Pangog Lake is the largest brackish lake in Asia, and due to its brackish water different effects of light are produced. Despite containing saline water, it freezes completely in winters. The surface of lake becomes so solid that one can walk on it. On this frozen surface, ice skating is organized. It doesn’t support any aquatic life except small crustaceans.
Interestingly, there is no need of inner line permit for Indians and this rule is effective from 1st May 2014. But tourists from foreign should have group permit issued by tourist office in Leh. Mind that being a disputed territory, boating is strictly prohibited in Pangong Lake. Many a Bollywood film has been shot here including 3 Idiots, Heroes, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Fugly and many more.