Qinghai Lake (青海湖), historically known as “Xihai (西海/West Sea)” and also called “Kuku Nor,” which means “blue sea” in Mongolian, is the largest inland lake and the largest saline lake in China. Located at an elevation of 3,196 meters, it has a shoreline of 360 kilometers and covers an area of 4,583 square kilometers. The lake is known for its cold, saline waters and is surrounded by majestic mountains, including Datong Mountain to the north, the Sun and Moon Mountains to the east, the Qilian Mountains to the south, and the Rubber Mountain to the west.
The Erlangjian Scenic Area (二郎剑) on the south side offers boat rides on the lake, while Bird Island (鸟岛) on the west side hosts hundreds of thousands of migratory birds between April and June, perfect for birdwatching and photography. The eastern part of the lake features beautiful sandy beaches and recreational activities, with notable sites like the Sun and Moon Mountains (日月山) and the Daotang River (倒淌河). The northern side is home to attractions such as the Jinyintan (金银滩) and Atomic City (原子城).
The best time to visit Qinghai Lake is from July to August when the rapeseed flowers bloom beautifully, the average temperature is only 15°C , and the annual cycling race around the lake takes place.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Qinghai Lake
- Legends and Activities
- Vlog about Qinghai Lake Scenic Area
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 3 days |
| Ticket Price | Erlangjian Scenic Area: 90 RMB (1st April – 31st October) 50 RMB (1st November – 31st March) Bird Island Scenic Area: Free Sand Island Scenic Area: Free Fairy Bay Scenic Area: 22 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day throughout the year |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0974-8519826 |
Location and Transportation
The Qinghai Lake Scenic Area is located on National Highway 109 in Gangcha County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. It lies in the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, to the northwest of Xining and the southern part of Gangcha County. The scenic area is approximately 136 kilometers from Xining and is situated between the coordinates of 99°36′ to 100°16′ east longitude and 36°32′ to 37°15′ north latitude.
For visitors looking to reach the scenic spots such as the Erlangjian Scenic Area and Shadao Scenic Area, buses are available from the Bayi Bus Station in Xining, departing roughly every half hour. Ticket prices range from 35 to 45 yuan.
Highlights of Qinghai Lake
Erlangjian Scenic Area
The Erlangjian Scenic Area (二郎剑景区) is located on the southern shore of Qinghai Lake and was formerly known as Base 151, the first torpedo launch testing site in China. It serves as a tourism reception base for the Qinghai Lake area and an ethnic cultural experience hub. Erlangjian stands out as a gem of the Qinghai Lake tourist region due to its unique geographical position, featuring an ecosystem rich in grasslands, beaches, and diverse wildlife. The area is designed to be a “service-oriented place” and includes several attractions: a birdwatching platform, a sea-view bridge, and a pavilion for enjoying the lake views. Additionally, there are leisure zones featuring large-scale ethnic song and dance performances, a Tibetan cultural park, and sacred lake rituals. For water activities, visitors can enjoy boat rides, jet skiing, water biking, and self-driving yacht tours.
Bird Island Scenic Area
Bird Island (鸟岛景区), also known as Xiaoxishan or Egg Island (named for the abundance of bird eggs), is situated on the western shore of Qinghai Lake, about 4 kilometers north of the mouth of the Buha River. The island is characterized by a larger eastern end and a narrow, elongated western end, resembling a tadpole, and stretches 1,500 meters in length. Since 1978, the northern, western, and southern shores of the island have been connected to the land due to the exposure of the lakebed.
Bird Island derives its name from the hundreds of thousands of migratory birds that inhabit it, making it a vibrant and dynamic location along Qinghai Lake. From April to June, nearly 100,000 migratory birds flock to the island to breed, creating a remarkable natural spectacle. To protect the birds’ nesting grounds while allowing visitors to observe them closely, Bird Island has constructed a multifunctional birdwatching facility that includes a birdwatching room, a lounge, a café, and a multimedia exhibition hall. The observation tunnel extends 443 meters and encompasses an area of 2,800 square meters, providing a unique opportunity for birdwatching without disturbing the wildlife.
Sand Island Scenic Area
The Sand Island Scenic Area (沙岛景区) is located on the northeastern shore of Qinghai Lake, featuring the beautiful Jinsha Bay and Yinsha Bay, which complement each other. The area is adorned with Sun Lake, Crescent Lake, and Reed Lake, creating a picturesque landscape where golden sands and silver sands gleam together, attracting flocks of seabirds. Visitors to Sand Island can enjoy various unique experiences, including water sports with yachts, sand sliding, beach motorbiking, off-road adventures on the sand, horseback riding, and camel rides, making it an exciting destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Fairy Bay Scenic Area
Fairy Bay Scenic Area (仙女湾景区) is situated on the northern shore of Qinghai Lake and is an important wetland region as well as a traditional sacred site for the Tibetan people who hold sea worship rituals here. This area is rich in biodiversity, with a variety of flora and fauna, and features distinctive wetland landscapes. It is particularly notable as a migratory habitat for numerous bird species, including swans, making it a sanctuary for these elegant creatures. The tranquil environment and natural beauty of Fairy Bay offer visitors a peaceful retreat and a chance to connect with nature.
Legends and Activities
Origin Legend
According to legend, over a thousand years ago, Princess Wencheng was sent to marry the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo as part of an alliance between the Tang and Tibetan dynasties. Before her departure, the Tang Emperor gifted her a magical sun-and-moon mirror, saying that whenever she missed her hometown, she could look into it, and Chang’an would appear before her. After a long journey, she reached the Sun and Moon Mountains, on the border between Tang and Tibet. Feeling homesick, she took out the mirror, and indeed, the image of Chang’an appeared. Realizing that she might never return home, tears flowed from her eyes, making it difficult for her to continue. However, remembering her sacred mission, she threw the mirror away. To her surprise, as the mirror hit the ground, it shone with a golden light and transformed into the beautiful Qinghai Lake. The princess then crossed the Sun and Moon Mountains and continued her journey westward, with her tears flowing like rivers, which became the famous Daotang River.
Water Monster
The legend of the “water monster” has been passed down among the indigenous herders around the lake for hundreds of years. According to the “Xining Prefecture New Chronicles” compiled in the early Qing Dynasty, it is recorded that there were reports from Mongolian herdsmen who lived near the lake. They claimed to have seen a creature in the water resembling a beast with the body of an ox and the head of a leopard, featuring a white coat with black spots and mixed red and green fur. This creature would leap through the waves and, upon seeing a person, would quickly dive beneath the surface, leaving many unsure of its true identity. Sightings of this monster were reported between Haixing Mountain and the eastern shore of the lake, with dozens of witnesses describing it as large and blackish-yellow in color.
Ritual Activities
The Sea Sacrifice ceremony, or “Jihai,” is a traditional Mongolian practice honoring Qinghai Lake. Initially rooted in Shamanism, the Mongolian people believed in the spiritual essence of all things, particularly venerating the heavens as the supreme deity. Since the Yuan Dynasty, rituals dedicated to heaven, mountains, and seas have been common among the Mongolians. The scale and religious significance of the Qinghai Lake ceremonies grew notably during the Qing Dynasty, and Tibetan communities around the lake also began participating in these rituals. The sea sacrifice is not merely a religious activity; it represents a cultural phenomenon rich in local customs and traditions, reflecting a profound aspiration for harmony between humanity and nature.
Around-the-Lake Competition
In 2002, the Qinghai Provincial Government proposed and initiated the Around-the-Lake Race, which is co-organized by the General Administration of Sport of China, the National Radio and Television Administration, and the Qinghai Provincial Government. Held annually in July and August, this prestigious cycling event has been sanctioned by the International Cycling Union as a 2.HC level race. It stands as one of Asia’s premier cycling competitions and is recognized as the highest-altitude international road cycling event in the world.
