Qinghai Lake,
an inland sea at altitude

Nothing quite prepares you for the blue. Qinghai Lake is roughly 4,400 km² of alkaline water sitting at 3,194 m, so large that the far shore disappears into haze.

3,194 m altitudeLargest lake in ChinaJune–SeptemberYak herders and viewpoints

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Qinghai Lake, called Koko Nor in Tibetan, is the largest inland saltwater lake in China: roughly 4,400 km² of alkaline water at 3,194 m, on the second day of the Grand Route. You drive the southern shore from Xining, with viewpoints over the water and herders' camps where yaks graze along the roadside. The road hugs the shore for hours, so the lake is never far from the window.

The lake is a key stopover for migratory birds, and the surrounding grassland is at its greenest from June to September. Bird Island is closed for conservation, so we do not promise access to it; the birdlife is still visible from the shore and the wetlands. Summer brings the Tour of Qinghai Lake cycle race and the best weather, while winter is cold, windy and empty.

What to see

A lake the size of a sea

About 4,400 km² of alkaline water at 3,194 m. The far shore fades into haze and the horizon reads as open sea.

Yak herders on the shore

Tibetan families graze yaks along the southern shore, with prayer flags and small camps set just beside the road.

Migratory birds

The lake is a key stopover on the Central Asian flyway. Bird Island is closed for conservation, but the wetlands still fill with birds in season.

The southern shore drive

The classic viewpoint road from Xining, stopping at the best overlooks rather than at the busiest car parks.

Tour of Qinghai Lake

A professional cycle race circles the lake every summer, riding the shore road past the same viewpoints you drive.

Plateau grassland

Green meadows, wildflowers and distant snow peaks. The colour is at its best in July and August, just after the rains.

Driving the southern shore

The road along the south of the lake is the standard route, and it is more about the stops than the distance. There are formal viewpoints with car parks and informal ones where herders wave you over; the water and the light make almost every pull-off worth the pause.

Leave Xining in the morning and climb steadily to 3,194 m.
Stop at the southern viewpoints for the widest water views.
Walk down to the shore where the ground allows it.
Continue west towards Chaka for the following day.

Birds, yaks and the season

The lake is a key stopover for migratory birds, and the grassland around it is at its greenest in July and August. That is also when the Tour of Qinghai Lake cycle race circles the shore, one more reason the summer window is the busiest. Bird Island is closed for conservation and we never promise access to it, but birds remain visible from the shore and the wetlands.

June–September: green grassland and the best weather.
July–August: wildflowers and the cycle race.
Spring and autumn: the strongest bird migration.
Winter: cold, windy and almost empty.

Altitude and what to expect

Qinghai Lake sits at 3,194 m, well above Xining, so this is the first night at real plateau height. Most people sleep fine, but it is a good night to skip alcohol, drink water and take things slowly. The vehicle carries oxygen on board throughout the route, and the guide knows the standard symptoms of altitude to watch for.

Practical tips:

The lake sits at 3,194 m, so walk slowly, drink water and skip alcohol on the first night.
Mornings are usually the clearest; afternoon cloud often hides the far shore.
Bring sun protection: the plateau sun is strong at this height even when the air feels cool.
Ask before photographing herders or their animals, and never walk into a camp uninvited.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit Bird Island?

No. Bird Island is closed for conservation and we do not promise access to it. The lake is still a major stopover for migratory birds, and the shoreline and wetlands give good birdwatching in season.

How high is Qinghai Lake?

The surface sits at 3,194 m, so it is noticeably higher than Xining at 2,275 m. The climb is gradual and the vehicle carries oxygen, but the first night here is a good time to take it easy.

Is the water salty?

Yes. It is a saltwater lake, and alkaline rather than drinkable. That is also part of why it holds such an extraordinary blue.