The top 5 beautiful lakes of China recommended by Chinese National Geography, China’s traveller Bible.
　　

　　Qinghai Lake
　　Area: 4,635 square kilometers; 3,200 meters above sea level

　　Qinghai means green lake in Chinese and this is the largest inland saltwater lake in China. Lying in the northeast of Qinghai Province, approximately 150km (193 miles) from Xining at 3,200 meters (10,500ft) above sea level, the lake stretches endlessly into the horizon. It has an area of 4,635 sq km and is more than 360km (220 miles) in circumference.

　　The lake has an abundant supply of fish, which in turn attracts large flocks of birds including many migratory breeds. Major sights on or around the lake are: Bird Island, Haixin Hill, Haixi Hill, Sankuaishi (Three Stones), and Sand Island.
　　
　　Kanas Lake
　　Area: 44.78 square kilometers; 1,340 meters above sea level

　　The Chinese National Geography describes the lake as “God’s palette” because of its rich variety of colors. When the water is clear, you can see a blue and green lake; underneath the thin clouds, Kanas Lake is pink; and when it is overcast, the lake is blue and grey.

　　China’s deepest fresh water lake (184 meters at one spot), Kanas Lake was formed 200,000 years ago. The region is home to 798 species of plants and 117 varieties of birds. Living in the midst of this beauty are more than 1,400 people of the Tuva Minority, whose ancestors came from Siberia more than 1,000 years ago.
　　
　　Namtso Lake
　　Area: 1,961.5 square meters; 4,720 meters above sea leavel

　　Tibetan for “Heavenly Lake,” Namtso is regarded as one of Tibetan Buddhism’s three holiest lakes. The lake is a pilgrimage site for Buddhists, who consider it the seat of Paramasukha Chakrasamvara. Buddhists believe that buddhas, bodhisattvas and vajras will assemble at Namtso in the Tibetan year of the sheep.

　　Namtso Lake, China’s highest saltwater lake, lies beside snow-capped Mt. Nyainqentanglha, the son of Namtso and leader of sacred mountains. The lake with the highest sea level in the world is far away from the pollution of modern civilization. Natural wildlife -- animals, birds and fish -- is a summer attraction. The lake freezes in October. In May, the ice melts, producing thunderous sounds.
　　
　　Tianchi Lake
　　Area: 9.82 square kilometers; 2,150 meters above sea level

　　A 2-million-year-old volcanic crater lake at the summit of Mt. Changbai, Heaven Pool is the largest volcanic crater lake in China.

　　Mt. Changbai is China’s largest nature reserve and home to a vast array of animal and plant life. It is one of the few areas of dense forest left in China and provides the habitat for the exceptionally rare Manchurian tiger. Mt. Changbai can only be visited in the summer months as it is completely cut off in winter.
　　
　　West Lake
　　Area: 6.5 square kilometers


　　Not a city like Hangzhou has the most graceful lake. West Lake is known for its elegant bridges and pavilions and its surrounding hills. It has inspired poets and artists for centuries. Su Shi, a poet from the Song Dynasty, compared the alluring lake to Xi Shi, China’s Cleopatra.

　　West Lake is at the center of Hangzhou City, which Marco Polo described as the most enchanting city in the world.