Bird Island (Niao Dao)

Bird Island (Niao Dao) Review

Bird Island is the main draw at Qinghai Hu, China's largest inland saltwater lake. The name Bird Island is a misnomer: it was an island until the lake receded, connecting it to the shore. The electric-blue lake is surrounded by rolling hills covered with yellow rapeseed flowers. Tibetan shepherds graze their flocks here as wild yaks roam nearby. Beyond the hills are snowcapped mountains. An estimated 100,000 birds breed at Bird Island, including egrets, speckle-headed geese, and black-neck cranes; sadly, the numbers have been much depleted because of the country's efforts to suppress the spread of avian flu. There are two viewing sites: spend as little time as possible at Egg Island in favor of the much better Common Cormorant Island, where you can see birds flying at eye-level from the top of a cliff. The best months to see birds are May and June. If you're taking a tour to Qinghai Hu, make sure that you're headed here and not the much closer tourist trap known as Qinghai Hu 151. To get to Bird Island, either contact a tour agency such as Tibetan Connections, or if you prefer to go under your own steam, catch a tourist bus from Xining Railway Station for Y35 each way. There are a few basic hostels here if you wish to stay overnight.