The water was cool, but not too cold. It didn't take too long to get accustomed to it and begin to launch out into the current for a brisk swim. The Tao River begins high up on the Tibetan Plateau at an altitude of more than 12,000 ft. By the time it reaches the place where we took our swim, the altitude is still well over 10,000 ft. 

There are only a couple small Tibetan communities located up-river from this location, so the water is very clear and clean. The grassy riverbank provides an awesome place to lay out in the sun and dry off or warm up after a swim.