Qinghai Lake

One of the most beautiful lakes in China is Qinghai lake. Meaning "indigo lake" in Tibetan and "Lake Kokonor" in Mongolian, Qinghai Lake is regarded as China's most beautiful lake and the country's largest inland saltwater body. The excellently scenic image of a blue lake, golden rapeseed blossoms and distant mountains in the months of July and August is what makes Qinghai Lake the most attractive. Two national highways, 109 and 315, currently span Qinghai Lake, which once served as a crucial crossing point for the Tang-Tibet Ancient Road and the Ancient Silk Road.

Originating from rainfall and surface runoff from more than 40 rivers, Qinghai Lake has situated in northeastern Qinghai Tibet Plateau and northwesterly Xining City, Qinghai Province. It is encircled by four high mountains, which range in height from 3600 to 5000 meters: the magnificent Datong Mountain in the north, the majestic Riyue Mountain in the east, the rolling Qinghai South Mountain in the south, and the craggy Rubber Mountain in the west.

The greatest time to visit Qinghai Lake is in the fall when the huge prairie is covered in golden rape flowers, a cool breeze carries a fragrant scent, scattered herdsman tents resemble stars in the sky, herds move like clouds, and the sunrise and sunset create a poetic picture. Along the eastern shore of Qinghai Lake, there are two son lakes: Gahai Lake and Erhai Lake, as well as a wide plain.

Surface area: 4,543 km2

Location: Juncture of Gangca County, Gonghe County, Haiyan County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province.