Qinghai Lake, Largest Saline Lake in China: Facts & Getting There
As the largest saline lake and inland lakein China, Qinghai Lake, historically known as Koko Nor or Kuku Nor, is situated in theGangcha County, Xining City,Qinghai Province. The names Qinghai and Kokonor both mean "Blue/Teal Sea" in Standard Mandarin and Mongolian. Twenty-three rivers and streams empty into Qinghai Lake, most of them areseasonal. Five permanent streams provide 80% of total influx.Basic Information of Qinghai LakeQinghai Lake is 105 kilometers long, 63 kilometers wide and 3196 meters above sea level.The lakeshore line is 360 kilometers long and covers an area of 4583 square kilometers.It is the largest inland lake and saltwater lake in China.The lake is surrounded by four high mountains: Datong Mountain to the north, Riyue Mountain to the east, Qinghai Nanshan Mountain to the south, and Rubber Mountain to the west. The four mountains are at an altitude of 3,600 to 5,000 meters above sea level.The average temperature in the summer season is only 15 °C, making it a natura...