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Andreas Gruschke CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Dabusun Lake

Lake

In Qinghai's Qaidam Basin near Golmud, Dabusun is a saline lake amid salt pans and desert plains; travelers see salt-extraction sites, reflective flats and stark plateau horizons.

Dabusun Lake XiningHaidongGyêguQiaotou TownTongrenDabusun Lake
In this guide

Dabusun Lake essentials

Address: Dabusun Lake (Dabusunhu), Qaidam Basin area, Qinghai Province, China
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About Dabusun Lake

Dabusun Lake is a saline endorheic lake in the Qaidam (Qaidam) Basin of Qinghai province, China. It is part of a network of salt lakes and playas in the basin and contributes to the region’s salt and mineral resources.

The lake’s surface area and salinity vary with seasonal evaporation and inflow. The site lies within an arid, high-elevation basin north of the Tibetan Plateau where salt pans and mineral deposits are common.

  • Saline lake and mineral extraction: Situated in the Qaidam Basin, the lake is saline and linked to regional salt and mineral extraction operations in the broader Qarhan/Dabuxun salt lake system.
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Dabusun Lake

Summer months avoid the worst of the cold; the region's high plateau climate means large daily temperature swings year-round.

Late spring-early autumn
May-September · 5-20°C
Colors and water levels are most interesting after snowmelt; high-altitude sunlight is intense.

Weather & Climate near Dabusun Lake

Climate

Dabusun Lake's climate is classified as Cold Desert - Cold Desert climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -16°C to 26°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 71 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
AugustJulySeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
35°
Warmest Month
-24°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Acceptable -16° - -2° -13° 1 mm partly cloudy 35% 2.0 m/s 0.5 low 9.8h
February Acceptable -13° - 3° -9° 1 mm partly cloudy 30% 2.6 m/s 0.8 moderate 10.7h
March Good -7° - 8° -3° 1 mm partly cloudy 27% 3.3 m/s 1.3 high 11.8h
April Good -1° - 14° 4° 1 mm partly cloudy 24% 3.8 m/s 1.9 very high 13.0h
May Very Good 5° - 20° 13° 4 mm partly cloudy 26% 3.7 m/s 2.3 extreme 14.0h
June Very Good 10° - 24° 17° 10 mm overcast 31% 3.3 m/s 2.4 extreme 14.5h
July Excellent 13° - 26° 19° 12 mm partly cloudy 33% 3.1 m/s 2.5 extreme 14.2h
August Ideal 12° - 25° 18° 7 mm partly cloudy 32% 3.0 m/s 2.3 extreme 13.4h
September Very Good 6° - 20° 13° 2 mm partly cloudy 33% 2.8 m/s 1.8 very high 12.3h
October Very Good -2° - 13° 3° 1 mm some cloud 29% 2.8 m/s 1.2 high 11.1h
November Acceptable -9° - 5° -5° 1 mm partly cloudy 30% 2.3 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.1h
December Acceptable -15° - 0° -12° 1 mm partly cloudy 34% 2.2 m/s 0.4 low 9.6h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Dabusun Lake

Reachable from regional centers in Qinghai and by road through the Qaidam Basin; long-distance travel will typically involve driving from cities such as Golmud or Xining. Road conditions can be variable-4x4 vehicles and local guidance recommended.

Tips for Visiting Dabusun Lake

  • Bring sun protection and up-to-date maps-the salt flats and lake edges can be disorienting.
  • Vehicle access may be limited; check local travel advisories and talk to regional authorities about road conditions.
  • Observe wildlife from a distance-the area can host migratory birds in season.