Qinghai Lake (qīng hǎi hú 青海湖) , formerly known as Koko Nur or Kukunor, is a saline lake situated in the province of Qinghai  (qīng hǎi shěng 青海省) and is the largest lake in China. The names Qinghai and Koko Nur both mean "Blue/Teal Sea/Lake" in Chinese and Mongolian. It is located about 100 kilometres west of the provincial capital of Xining (xī níng 西宁市) at 3,205 m (10,515 feet) above sea level in a depression of the Tibetan Plateau in the cultural area known to ethnic Tibetans as Amdo. Twenty-three rivers and streams empty into Qinghai Lake, most of them seasonal. Five permanent streams provide 80% of total influx.

 
Overview

Qinghai Lake, also known as "Kokonor Lake”, with the meaning of " blue sea " in Mongolian. It was formed by fault collapse among Datong Mountains of Qilian Mountains (qí lián shān 祁连山) , Riyue Mountains (rì yuè shān 日月山) and Nanshan Mountains (nán shān 南山). Qinghai Lake is located in the northeast of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which has vast territory, broad grasslands, numerous rivers, and lush and quiet environment. The lake is surrounded by four towering alpine: in neighborhood of Towering majestic Riyue Mountains in the east, magnificent Datong Mountains to the north, winding Nanshan Mountains to the South and Rubber mountains in the west.

History

Before the communist revolution in China in 1949, an annual ceremony was conducted to the God of the Lake. The Kuomintang (guó mín dǎng 国民党) Chinese Muslim General Ma Bufang (mǎ bù fāng 马步芳), the Governor of Qinghai, and other high ranking Qinghai and Chinese government officials attended the Kokonuur Lake Ceremony where the God of the Lake was worshipped, and during the ritual, the Chinese national Anthem was sung, all participants bowed to a Portrait of Kuomintang party founder Dr. Sun Yat-sen (sūn zhōng shān 孙中山) , and the God of the Lake was also bowed to, and offerings were given to him by the participants, which included the Muslims. Ma Bufang invited Kazakh Muslims to attend the Ceremony honoring the God.
 

Geography and Climate Features

Shaped like an ellipse, Qinghai Lake lies northwest of the imposing Qinghai Altiplano, 150 km. (93.21 miles) away from Xining in Qinghai Province. It reaches 28.71 m. (77.79 feet) at the deepest point but averages 19 meters (62.34 feet) overall. With an altitude of 3, 195 m. (10, 482.28 feet) high, the climate surrounding the lake is very cool. In the middle of the summer, the average temperature in the daytime is about 15 C (59  F), which is why it is often selected as a summer resort.

The lake offers year-round pleasure. Many prefer when it is a green and lively world. The mountains and grassland wear a green blanket with herds of cattle and sheep dispersed over the grassland. The bank is connected with stretching farmlands, which is prospering with blooming rape flowers and rolling with wheat waves, sending blasts of fragrance to the lake. The water of the lake is also very limpid, which reflects the pretty green mountains in the deep like a mirror. The color changes with time and varies in different depth of the lake, which produces a sense of mystery, hence the name 'Seven-Colored Lake'. As a result of the teeming fish on the lake, the mouth of the nearby river has a yellow color to it as the fish float close to the surface. Many birds are also attracted to this beautiful lake and bountiful surroundings, resulting in this place being a kingdom for birds' watchers.

When the cold winter comes, the world becomes a bit quieter and duller, but the glamour of Qinghai Lake doesn't diminish much. At this time, the leaf-yellow mountains put on a new suit of clothes as they become blanketed with new-fallen snow. The snow and ice covered surface of the lake shines brightly in the sun, adding another degree of beauty to the lake. The famous 'Icy Fish' are very easy to catch at this time because they are confined by the ice.

Qinghai Lake is really a good place for travelers. Apart from embracing the heavenly beauty here, you can either stroll on the grass or ride on a yak, climb the sand hill or visiting the historic remains left on the Tang-Tubo ancient road or the Silk Road. If you are more sociable, the hospitable local people will warmly welcome you as you visit their homes and enjoy a taste of the Tibetan life. In addition, tents and various delicious foods are provided for the tourists in the pastures.

It encompasses two islands, one is Haixi Pi  (hǎi xī pí  海西皮) in the east, and in the west is the Haixi Shan (hǎi xī shān 海西山), which is four times smaller than the former island but is where most of the birds of the lake congregate. When the spring and summer come, many birds fly from faraway mountains and deserts to breed here. In the noisiest months of April and May, their numbers can amount to ten thousand, 80% to 90% of which stop on the Haixi Shan and lay eggs there. With eggs interspersed all over the island, Haixi Shan is also called 'Egg Island' (dàn dǎo 蛋岛).

Gold and Silver Grassland (jīn yín tān cǎo yuán 金银滩草原) in  is located in the territory of Haiyan county  (hǎi yàn xiàn 海晏县) in Qinghai province. There are more than 300 thousands of cattle and sheep living here and is a typical pastoral areas. The golden seasons to Gold and Silver Grassland are July, August and September when flowers blooming and birds flying everywhere especially larks’ charming songs.

Haixin Shan (hǎi xīn shān 海心山) is a mountain in the region of Qinghai, the country of China with an average elevation of 3,193 meter above sea level. The location is sparsely populated with 7 people per km2 . The nearest town larger than 50,000 inhabitants takes about 7:51 hour by local transportation.

There are many Tibet ornaments such as pearls, agate and all kinds of jade, gold and silver products, general with the style of primitive simplicity.

Insengfruit (rén shēn guǒ 人参果) 

Shouzha Mutton (shǒu zhuā yáng ròu 手抓羊肉)

Shouzhua mutton is an unique way to eat mutton in qinghai plateau of nomServeads. It is named for eating with one hand cutting the mutton, the other grasping meat and eating. Cooking method is very simple, first boil the fresh mutton, add or dip salt in salt, then serve.

Travel Tips

1. Transportation to the island is very convenient; you can travel by a sight seeing bus from Xining Railway Station, Qinghai Province at the cost of RMB 35, or by a coach from the Xining Coach Station, 250 m. (0.16 miles) south of the railway station, at the cost of RMB 25. As to the accommodation, the island is equipped with a hotel and restaurant as well as tent hostels and other entertainment facilities in the south.

2. Qinghai Lake is really a good place for travelers. Apart from embracing the heavenly beauty here, you can either stroll on the grass or ride on a yak, climb the sand hill or visiting the historic remains left on the Tang-Tubo ancient road or the Silk Road. If you are more sociable, the hospitable local people will warmly welcome you as you visit their homes and enjoy a taste of the Tibetan life. In addition, tents and various delicious foods are provided for the tourists in the pastures.

3. Qinghai Lake is suitable for travel throughout the year, but because of its climates, most travellers are most likely to go in summer, as the temperature is higher during that time and often rainfall at night makes its air wet. In July, rape flower will come into bloom in the north of Qinghai Lake, which become a highlight. But if your main purpose is Bird Island, May is the best.

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