The Qinghai Lake is located 150 km from Xining, 3,197 m above sea level. It is seated at the northeast part of Qinghai Province, and is surrounded by Mountain Datong, Mountain Riyue and Mountain Qinghai Nanshan.

It is the largest inland saltwater lake in China, reputed as “West Sea” in ancient times. It is also named Kukunuoer in Mongolian, meaning “green lake”. The lake is 63 km wide north to south, approximately covering 4,583 sq km. The average depth of the lake is 20 m. There are about 75.4 billion cubic meters of water stored in the lake at present.

In the lake, people find five islands, namely Haixinshan Island, Sankuaishi Island, Bird Island, Haixishan Island and Sand Island. The largest one is Haixinshan Island, which boasts trickling springs, fragrant flowers and a lamasery. In every winter when Qinghai Lake freezes over with a thick layer of ice, lamas, with their daily necessities carried on their backs, will trek across the lake's frozen surface and spend several months on the island. During this period they concentrate on their transcendental meditation without any interference from the outside world.
    
Bird Island is the most famous island in Qinghai Lake. The luxuriant water plants and grass on the island attract huge flocks of migratory birds. Before the train arrives at Bird Island, some environmental activists hand out brochures about the protection of wild birds. They say that most of the birds have flown all the way from the Malay peninsula, over the towering Mountain Himalayas and Mountain Hengduan, before they finally reach the island and breed. Not far from the island is an islet called Egg sland. This is a very small island indeed, its total area being only 110 square meters. Birds' eggs are scattered all over it.

Qinghai Lake produces a fish called huang whose meat is delicious. As it has no scales whatsoever on its body, it is also called luo li “naked carp”. When told about this, the tourists burst out laughing.

Around the lake are extensive alpine meadows. In summer, as it now is, a profusion of golden rape flowers extends as far as the eye can see. In the past such a scene could only be seen on television, now it is unfolding right in front of us. Our arrival at Qinghai Lake luckily coincides with Tour de Qinghai Lake International Road Cycling Race. This event adds vivacity to the magnificent highland scenery.