Brief Introduction: Qinghai Lake is located at west of Xining city 160 km. In Mongolian language Qinghai hu means blue sea. It is the largest salty lake and inland lake of China. It covers an area of 4583 square km. The average depth of the Qinghai lake is 18.6m now.The sea level of the lake is 3196 m. It is about 360 km to walk around it. It's very cool here because of the high altitude. Even in the scorching summer, the average daily temperature is only 15 degrees, so it can be an ideal summer resort.

Qinghai Lake is located in the northeastern part of Qinghai Plateau,where there are vast grasslands, numerous rivers, abundant water and grass and a quiet environment. The lake is surrounded by four lofty mountains, which are the magnificent Datong Mountain to the north, the majestic Sun Moon Mountain to the east, the winding Nanshan Mountain of Qinghai to the south, and the rugged Rubber Mountain to the west. The altitude of the four mountains is between 3,600 meters and 5,000 meters. Looking around, they look like four high natural barriers, which tightly embrace Qinghai Lake. From the foot of the mountain to the side of the lake, there is a vast, flat, and boundless prairie, and the vast and blue Qinghai Lake is just like a huge jade plate nestled among the mountains and grasslands, forming a magnificent and beautiful landscape of mountains, lake and grasslands.

The scenery of Qinghai Lake is quite different in different seasons. In summer and autumn, when the surrounding lofty mountains and the vast grassland on the west coast are covered with green,the lake side of Qinghai looks so beautiful, the sky is high and the air is cool, and the scenery is very nice. And in the cold winter, when the cold current comes, the surrounding mountains and grasslands become a withered yellow, and sometimes covered with snow which looks like a thick layer of silver. Every November, Qinghai Lake begins to freeze. The vast clear lake,covered with ice and snow, looks like a huge mirror, shining in the sun and radiating dazzling brilliance all day long.

According to the book of 'the New Annals of Xining Mansion' compiled in the early years of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911),a large black-yellow water monster was found in Qinghai Lake by some residents. So Tibetans in the area around the lake in Qinghai Province also have the habit of worshipping Qinghai Lake, which also expresses people's good wish to live in harmony with the nature. It is said in the legend that the Empress Wangmu of western heaven once came here and visited it. It is such a beautiful and legendary place. The beauty here lies in its salty vastness encircled by mountains and grassland. The colors that can be found around the lake are of purity and contrast.

In 2002, the Qinghai Provincial Government proposed and initiated the International Cycling Race around Qinghai lake in Qinghai Province from July to August every year. The  Cycling Race around Qinghai lake is the top race in Asia and the international road cycling race at the highest altitude in the world.

Admission fee : 100 yuan/person ( May 1—Oct.31); 50yuan/person (Nov.1—Apr.30)

Opening Time: 24 hours

Visiting Time: 1—2hrs

Better Seasons to Visit: May to October (In July and August it is a good chance to enjoy the scenery of canola flower fields.)

Travel Tips : 1, At the high altitudes a lot of physical energy will be required, so try to avoid strenuous exercise and overexertion. Please drink more water, eat more fruits as you go to Qinghai lake. It is better to carry some snacks with a few high calorie, such as chocolate, compressed biscuit, small candies, which can replenish the necessary water and heat for body in time;

2, Although it is a good chance to enjoy the scenery of canola flower fields, do not recommend you strongly to come in the high season if it is not so necessary. Because it is the summer holiday of Chinese students, in the scenic spots it is full of tourists,which is really crowded;

3, The temperature around Qinghai Lake varies greatly from day to night. Even in August, the highest temperature in the day is only about 20 degrees, and the temperature at night is only 3-6 degrees. If you visit Qinghai Lake from April to June or from September to October, you should wear a velvet sweater and long Johns.

4, Qinghai Lake is located in the plateau, and the ultraviolet is very strong, so tourists must prepare a hat, sunglasses,long sleeved shirt and sunscreen.

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