The Chinese like to say that if the Qinghai Lake were a crown on the head of the plateau, then the Bird Island (Niao dao) would be the largest pearl on it. This island, in fact a large rocky peninsular that juts from the lake, is located in the northwest corner of the lake, near to the Buha River. The island holds its name due to the approximately 10,000 birds that, at different seasons throughout the year, migrate here from all over the world.

Of the rarer species that can be found, included are Griffon vultures, Mongolian larks, black-necked cranes, bar-headed geese and giant swans. For those not ornithologically wise, there are more common varieties that can also be found including gulls, cormorants, egrets, sandpipers, skylarks, swans, geese, crows, minivets and many more. Because of the highly saline and cold waters, the huge lake teems with fish and it is this that makes it the perfect breeding ground for many of these species. The island has a number of bird watching pavilions and is nice to simply wander about, with the vivid and contrasting colours that are a part of the lake’s scenery.

The optimum time for bird watching is between March and July, when many of the birds migrate here to breed and take their summer holidays.

If you can weather the cold and are an intent bird watcher, November to February are the time to catch the famed giant swans. The island also contains the Longbao Black-necked Crane Sanctuary, a conservation project for these protected species.How to get there: The island can be reached as either a tour or independently as a stopover between Xining and Golmud. Those traveling independently can get off at theTibetan town Heimahe, and then hitch on from there. It is also possible, in summer, to take a boat to the island from a dock that is found behind the Qinghai Lake Tent Hotel. The journey will take around two hours. For tour information see the Qinghai Transport Overview.

Cost: Entrance ticket is RMB24.
General Info: You will normally be dropped of at the Bird Island Hotel. From here you will need to buy the entrance ticket for the remaining 15km to the bird watching pavilions.