青海湖

Why this place

Qinghai Lake is enormous, blue, slightly salty and 3,200 metres above sea level, ringed by grassland where yaks and sheep graze. Every July the rapeseed fields along its shore flower in solid yellow against the blue water, which is why it is one of the most photographed landscapes in the northwest.

What to see

• The rapeseed fields along the southern shore in July
• The Erlang Sword and the lakeside viewpoints on the south bank
• Bird Island in the west, a breeding site for migratory birds
• The Tibetan monasteries and the prayer flags around the lake's circuit

What to eat

• Plateau food: yak meat, mutton and butter tea
• The local 'huangyu' naked carp — now protected and restricted, so check before ordering

How to plan

One or two days, usually as a loop from Xining.

Best time

June–August; the rapeseed is best in July

Practical tips

• At 3,200m the lake is high — take the first day slowly and protect against the strong sun