The Emerald of the Gobi: Keluke Lake and the Romance of the Twin Lakes

An Oasis in the Gobi

Located about 50 kilometers west of Delingha City in the Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province, Keluke Lake (also spelled Kelunuke) shines like a piece of jade embedded in the vast Gobi desert of the Qaidam Basin,. Unlike the typical saline lakes found in this arid region, Keluke Lake is a rare plateau freshwater lake with a water surface area of about 57 square kilometers. It forms a stunning contrast with the golden reeds that surround it and the barren, sandy landscape of the basin, creating a "water town" scenery that is unique to the northwest frontier.

The Romance of the Twin Lakes

Keluke Lake is inextricably linked with its neighbor, Tuosu Lake (Tuosu Nuo'er). The two lakes are separated by a distance but are connected by a small river, earning them the nickname "Lover Lakes" or "Twin Lakes" (Lianhu). Despite their connection, they possess completely different characters: Keluke Lake is a vibrant freshwater lake, while Tuosu Lake is a barren saltwater lake. This geological wonder is explained by the flow of water; the small connecting river allows fresh water to flow into and through Keluke Lake, flushing out salt and minerals into Tuosu Lake. Tuosu Lake, having no outlet, accumulates the salt through evaporation, creating a stark difference in ecology between the two.

A Haven for Life

Thanks to its freshwater nature, Keluke Lake is a thriving ecosystem. The lake is abundant in aquatic plants and reeds, providing a perfect habitat for various bird species. It is widely known for its fishery resources, particularly the Chinese Mitten Crab (Dazhaxie), which has been introduced and successfully farmed here. These "Plateau Crabs" are renowned for their size and flavor, making the lake a culinary destination as well as a scenic one. In the summer and autumn, the lake is teeming with life, from the fish swimming in the clear waters to the birds nesting in the dense reed marshes, offering a vibrant contrast to the silence of the surrounding desert.

A Landscape of Reeds and Water

1.The beauty of Keluke: Lake changes with the seasons. In the warmer months, the lakeside is lush with green reeds that sway in the wind, creating a picturesque setting against the backdrop of distant mountains and blue skies. The water is clear and calm, reflecting the clouds and the surrounding vegetation. In late autumn, the reeds turn a magnificent golden yellow, painting a warm and melancholic picture typical of "Highland Aesthetics". Even in winter, the lake offers a unique charm; when the surface freezes, local fishermen can sometimes be seen fishing or catching crabs through holes in the ice, adding a touch of human vitality to the frozen landscape.