Which lake is China’s largest by total surface area, including saline lakes?

Qinghai Lake is China’s largest lake by total surface area, including saline lakes.

Known in Mongolian as Kokonor, Qinghai Lake lies on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai province. It is an enclosed saline lake with an area of roughly 4,400 square kilometres, though the exact area changes with water level. Mountains and grasslands surround its broad basin.

The lake is an important breeding area for migratory birds, especially around Bird Island. It also supports the Qinghai lake naked carp, a fish adapted to the lake’s cold, high-altitude environment. The Qinghai–Tibet railway passes near the lake.

Poyang Lake is often given as China’s largest freshwater lake, but that is a different comparison. Qinghai Lake is larger when all lakes, including saline ones, are considered.