Data Zone
Country/territory: China (mainland)
IBA criteria met: A1, A2, A3 (2009)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 495,200 hectares (4,952.00 km2)
Site description (2009 baseline)
Located at the north-western tip of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, near to the Chinese borders with India and Pakistan. Aksayqin Hu is a large salt lake between the Kunlun Shan and Karakorum Shan mountains, with an area of 10,500 ha, which is fed by snowmelt and glaciers. The habitats in the IBA include grassland and salt desert around the lake shores.
Key biodiversity
Non-bird biodiversity: Animals include Canis lupus, Vulpes vulpes, Panthra uncia, Pantholops hodgsoni, Ursus arctos, Marmota himalayana, Ovis ammon, Equus kiang and Bos mutus.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Aksayqin Hu and alpine grassland (China (mainland)). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/aksayqin-hu-and-alpine-grassland-iba-china-(mainland) on 27/12/2024.