Chaerhan Saline Lake located in Chaidamu Basin of West Qinghai is Chinese largest saline lake and also one of world’s most famous saline lakes. Chaerhan in Mongolian means the Damp Area of Salt. It is 750 kilometers away from Xining. The length from west to east of Chaerhan Saline Lake is more than 160 kilometers and the width from south to north is 20 to 40 kilometers. The depth of the salt is 2 to 20 meters. Its total area is 5,800 square meters with an altitude of 2670 meters. The stored sodium chloride in lake is more than 50 billion tons; it can supply the world for 1000 years. Besides sodium chloride, there are also many rare materials.

Also named Chaerhan Lake, Chaerhan Saline Lake has a lowest altitude of more than 2,200 meters, and is comprised of Dabuxun Lake, Nanhuobuxun Lake, Beihuobuxun Lake and Seniege Lake. There are more than 10 rivers supplying water for it such as Geermu River and Sulengguole River. Due to the lack of rainfall, majority of water evaporates, and the salt is easily seen. Qinghai-Tibet Highway and Qinghai-Tibet Railway pass by the saline lake, and both of them are absolutely paved with salt. It is as long as 32 kilometers. They are named Steel-Made Rainbow and High-Level Salt Bridge respectively. The best time for traveling is from April to October every year.