Qinghai Lake, China's largest inland and saline lake on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, continues to attract visitors in winter following a series of promotion measures taken by the Qinghai Lake Scenic Spot Administration.

The lake, known as "the most beautiful lake" in China, is located at 3,205 m above sea level and covers an area of 4,583 sq km.

Photo taken on Dec. 5, 2009, shows a glimpse of the Qinghai Lake side where flowing fountains can be seen. [Xinhua Photo]

Surrounded by grasslands, flowers and snowy mountains, Qinghai Lake attracts many tourists from home and abroad with its mysterious scenery and a large population of wild animals every year.

In the past winters, the lake saw a smaller number of tourists because of the cold weather and the closure of scenic spots, hotels and restaurants nearby.

To establish the brand name of the Qinghai Lake Scenic Spot, the administration began three years ago to continue to run the scenic spot and related business in winter time.

Swans fly over and rest on Qinghai Lake, China's northwest Qinghai Province, Dec. 5, 2009. [Xinhua/Hou Deqiang]

It also took a series of measures to lure tourists including cutting the ticket prices for the scenic area, lowering hotel rates, and publicizing the area in other parts of China.

Since winter began in Qinghai, about 5,000 swans have come from Xinjiang and elsewhere to spend the winter around Qinghai Lake. The administration then built a bird observation deck at the bays where tourists could watch larger number of the birds.

In the meantime, by making use of the frozen lake, the administration also promoted various sports activities on ice, for example driving bumper cars on the frozen lake.

"I'm very excited to see the precious swans by the Qinghai Lake," said a tourist surnamed Li from south China's Guangdong Province. "Different from the marine area in southern China, Qinghai Lake in winter displays strength."