Qinghai Lake

Qinghai Lake, historically known as Kokonor (from the Mongolian name), is a saline lake situated in the province of Qinghai, and is the largest lake in China. The names Qinghai and Kokonor both mean "Blue/Teal Sea" in Standard Mandarin and classical Mongolian.

The Qinghai Lake is seated at the northeast part of Qinhai Province, and is surrounded by Datong, Riyue and Qinghai Nanshan Mountains. The lake occupies an area of 4456 kilometers, having a perimeter of more than 360 kilometers and it is over one time lager than the famous Tai Lake in Wuxi, China's east Jiangsu Province. The ellipse-shaped lake looks like a huge white poplar leave setting among alpine prairie. Scenery in Qinghai lake varies according to seasons. Summer and autumn, with most comfortable weather condition and most beautiful lake scenery is the best time to visit the lake.

The lake is also sometimes circumambulated by pilgrims from the region. Przhevalsky estimated it would take about 8 days by horse or 15 walking to circumambulate the lake, but pilgrims report it takes about 18 days on horseback, and one took 23 days walking to complete the circuit.