Lake Qinghaihu Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information
Both the Mongolian name and the Tibetan name of Lake Qinghaihu mean "Blue Lake." It is surrounded in four sides by Datong Mountain, Riyue Mountain, Qinghai South Mountain and Xiangpi Mountain, serving as four imposing natural barriers. The weather here is cool all the year round. Even in midsummer, the daily average temperature is about 15 C (59F) making the lake a perfect summer resort. And May through October is the best time for bird-watching. So many attractions draw travelers in this region in. Ornithologists, campers, hikers, botanists, swimmers, sailors, fishermen, loners and nomads all find areas of interest around the lake.
Blue lake
This huge expanse of deep, salty liquid receives its name, literally Blue Sea Lake, from the vastness of its azure waters. The beauty here lies in its salty vastness and the remote peace that it instills. It is the largest salt water lake in China, with a circumference of 360km and a surface area of over 4,500km squared.
Charming scenery
It contains little oxygen and much salt, with little plankton. With a visibility of 8-9 meters, it appears especially blue, just like a piece of glittery sapphire. Various kinds of birds hover in the sky while countless fish swim in the water. Along the lake, the grassland stretches several hundred miles. Every summer and autumn, the grassland is covered by overlapping grass with numerous flocks and herds, adding an artless flavor and leisure to the lake. Chains of mountains, the blue lake, the green grassland and the yellow wheat fields form a landscape of the open west area.
Five islands of the lake
In the Lake Qinghaihu are five islands of different shapes, namely the Haixin Hill (hill in the middle of the sea), Gucha Hill (Three-stones Hill), Bird Island, Haixi Hill (hill in the west of sea) and Sand Island, of which the Bird Island is the most famous one.
Bird Island
The Chinese like to say that if the Lake Qinghaihu were a crown on the head of the plateau, then the Bird Island (Niao dao) would be the largest pearl on it. The island holds its name due to the approximately 10,000 birds that, at different seasons throughout the year, migrate here from all over the world. Of the rarer species that can be found, included are Griffon vultures, Mongolian larks, black-necked cranes, bar-headed geese and giant swans.
For those not ornithologically wise, there are more common varieties that can also be found including gulls, cormorants, egrets, sandpipers, skylarks, swans, geese, crows, minivets and many more. Because of the highly saline and cold waters, the huge lake teems with fish and it is this that makes it the perfect breeding ground for many of these species.
Bird-watching
The island has a number of bird watching pavilions and is nice to simply wander about, with the vivid and contrasting colors that are a part of the lake's scenery.
The optimum time for bird watching is between March and July, when many of the birds migrate here to breed and take their summer holidays. If you can weather the cold and are an intent bird watcher, November to February are the time to catch the famed giant swans.
Go fishing
The lake is also abundant in fish, among which the naked carp is the most famous and delicious. The cuisine at the lake is also of interest, composed of variations on a fish theme. Especially notable is the naked carp, whose tender flesh is served in most local restaurants and hostels.
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West Lake
Lake Kanas
Lake Namtso
Lake Qinghaihu
Lake Yamdrok
Huaqing Pool
Crescent Spring
Lake Qiandaohu
Lake Taihu
Slender West Lake
Lake Hongfenghu
Lake Luguhu
Heavenly Lake
Butterfly Spring
Lake Erhai
Longsheng Hot Spring National Park
Lake Bitahai
Lake Shuduhu
Lake Napahai
Red Carp Pond
Black Dragon Pool
Lake Karakuli
Baotu Spring
Lake Daminghu
Yuquan Park
