3205 meters above the sea level, Qinghai Lake is located about 100 kilometers west of Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province. As the largest saline lake in China, it has a surface area of 4317 square kilometers with a maximum depth of 25.5 meters. There are 23 rivers that empty into Qinghai Lake, most of which are seasonal. Five major rivers provide 80% of the lake's total influx. Located at the crossroads of several bird migration routes across Asia, Qinghai Lake offers many species of birds an intermediate stop during their migration. On the western side of the lake are the well-known "Bird Island", which attract birdwatchers from across the globe. Every summer sees numerous visitors come here to watch the Qinghai Lake International Cycling Race.