What is the largest lake in China?

The largest lake in China is Qinghai Lake. It lies in Qinghai Province on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, about 100 kilometers west of Xining, at roughly 3,200 meters above sea level.

Qinghai Lake is an endorheic lake, meaning it has no natural outlet to the sea. Rivers and seasonal streams feed it, while evaporation concentrates minerals in its water, making it alkaline and saline rather than freshwater. Its surface area changes with climate and water balance; measurements have ranged from roughly 4,186 square kilometers in 2004 to more than 4,500 square kilometers in recent surveys.

The lake’s name means “Blue Sea” in Chinese, and it is also known by names derived from Tibetan and Mongolian languages, including Koko Nor. That variety can cause confusion with Qinghai Province itself, which is named after the lake. Qinghai is also famous for Bird Island, an important breeding site for migratory waterbirds, including bar-headed geese and brown-headed gulls.