Qinghai Lake

Qinghai Lake is the largest salt lake in China. It's not only a holy lake for local Tibetan but also the No 1 tourist destination in Qinghai.

Qinghai Lake, other names in Tibetan: Tsongongpo, in Mogolian: Lake Kokonor, it is at an elevation of 3200m. The Qinghai Province is named after the lake. It is the largest lake in China and the largest salt lake in Asia. Qinghai Lake is regarded as holy by Tibetans and Mongolians. The Qinghai Lake lies from Hainan Tibetan Prefecture to Heibei Tibetan Prefecture.

The average depth of the Qinghai lake is 25m and the deepest area goes down to 80m. The perimeter of the lake is 365km. The four sides of lake shores are administered by four counties: Kangtsa(Gangchaxian) in the west and northwest, Haiyanxian(Dabzhidzong) in the northeast, Tongkor(huangyuanxian) in the east, and Chabcha(Gonghexian) in the south. Today, the main tourist spot is the southshore of the Lake, though you can also go around the Lake by car. The tourist spots at the Lake: 151 in the Southshore, Panchen Lama’s sea offering site at the Southshore, birth island at Northshore, sand dunes at the east shore.

What to do at Qinghai Lake?

Today, when you go to Qinghai Lake, you will go to the south shore which is 150km west of Xining. Depends on the time, you can take a boat ride on the turquoise waves of the lake, go horseback riding along the shores with Tibetan nomads, riding bikes, walking in the flowers of the rapeseed or just take a leisurely walk at the shore. If you have an extra day, continue to the northwest side of the lake (220km from Xining), where you can visit Bird Island, a breeding ground for black-necked cranes, sandpipers, wild geese, and other bird species. Please note due to protection of the wild birds, the bird island may be closed for visitors. If you just want to have some silly funs, you can go to east part of the lake and ride a sand motorbike and roll in the sand:)

There are few small monasteries around Qinghai lake. But the Tsonyang is an island in the center of the Lake. Tsonyang means “Heart of the lake”, which is a vital Tibetan Buddhism retreat hill. There are only hana dful of monks and nuns live on this hill and most monks are practice in the retreat caves. These caves have been used by many famous Tibet Yogis and practitioners. Tsonyang Island can be accessed only in the wintertime after the lake freezes. The following photo is taken on the Island of the lake which locals ted middle of the lake. The island is a Tibetan Buddhist retreat centre as well as smaa ll monastery on top of this about football sized island.

Qinghai lake’s eco-system has been changed since mass tourists arrive every day in the summer time. There are more and more restaurants, hotels and shops on both south and north shores. The wildlife and nomadic life nearby have been sadly degraded by the intensive development of mass tourism and a spread of constructions and transportation. However, the government has invested a lot of money to develop tourism and preserve degraded grassland around the lake. This step can be only proved in the coming years. Hopefully, with efforts of the government, organizations, travel agencies, and tourists, we will see more balanced Eco-system at Qinghai Lake in the future.

When is the best time to travel to Qinghai Lake?

The best time to travel to Qinghai Lake is from July to September. You will see the nomads move down to the lake and many yaks and sheep scattering the shore of the lake. The fields of yellow rapes seeds flowers in the summer time is one of the highlights. This attracts massive tourists in July and August. However, this time is also the busiest season at Qinghai lake. Therefore, if a traveler wants to see Qinghai Lake, you need to consider the busy crowded time. Though the crowded can be avoided if you on the sideways, and this will take you all the way to the lake where you can see the nature part of the lake.

Where to stay at Qinghai Lake?

The hotels at Qinghai Lake is extremely busy during the summer season (July - September). Therefore the prices of accommodation and food are almost doubled during this busy time. So we strongly recommend you to book a hotel before you reach there. If you spend a night at the lake, the best place is to stay in Heimahe town or nearby where you can enjoy a nice sunrise of Qinghai Lake. There are hotels and guesthouses in Heimahe and 151 (Qinghai Lake main attraction site), but only a few decent there. If you need any recommendations on hotels at Qinghai Lake, Please drop us an email at info@snowlandexplorer.com.