Bird Island
青海湖鸟岛
A national nature reserve at the mouth of the Buha River on the western shore of Qinghai Lake. Tens of thousands of migratory birds breed here in spring and summer, making it the top choice for birdwatching at the lake.
Bird Island lies near the mouth of the Buha River in the northwest of Qinghai Lake and is part of the Qinghai Lake National Nature Reserve. It consists of Egg Island, Haixipi and other islets. Every year from April to July, tens of thousands of birds, including bar-headed geese, brown-headed gulls, great black-headed gulls and cormorants, breed here, creating a spectacular scene. In autumn and winter it is much quieter. Visitors can view the birds from observation platforms and the exhibition hall but cannot land on the islands, so bring your own binoculars or telephoto lens. Admission is about 50 yuan (confirm on site). It is about 80 km from Heima River and about 60 km from Gangcha County town, so you need to drive or hire a car to get there. Birdwatching is best in the morning.
Opening hours
Approx. 08:00–18:00 (may close in winter)