Qinghai lies in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which has an average elevation of 3000 meters. The Yangtze River, Yellow River, and Mekong River originate in Qinghai, from which the name "the source of the rivers" is derived. Snow mountains, ice peaks, deserts, vast pastures and lakes dotted like stars in the sky form a backdrop for the flocks of rare birds and animals that inhabit this unique landscape. Lake Kokonor is the largest salt-water lake in China as well as the largest of both salt water and fresh lakes in China. Lake Kokonor Bird Island is one of the most charming and attractive places for visitors. Situated on the western shore of Lake Kokonor it covers an area of slightly less than 1000 sq m and attracts many migrating birds in spring and summer. To these hundreds of thousands of migrant birds, the island has become a very important bird sanctuary. The many species such as geese, gulls, sandpipers and cormorants nest on the island and the sound of their cries can be heard for great distances. For these birds as well as bird watching enthusiasts, the island represents nothing short of a piece of heaven. Another attraction on the lake is Haixinshan, where according to legend, great horses were bred.

This article was posted on 2007-08-22
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