A scaleless carp swims in Qinghai Lake on August 1. 2009. The fish, whose scientific name is Gymnocypris przewalskii is one of the unique inhabitants of Qinghai Lake. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/Hu Weiwei]

Qinghai Lake attracts visitors from all around the world. Tourists enjoy their time by Qinghai Lake on August 1, 2009. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/Hu Weiwei]

As the bus moves on along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, we see rolling grasslands dotted with cattle. We stop in front of patches of blooming cole plants. I have never seen such large patches of cole plants before. The fields of golden flowers end at Qinghai Lake. It is said that the fields around the lake are not for agricultural production, but serve as a scenic spot for tourists to take photos. The privilege is not free, as tourists who enter the field should pay 5 yuan each to the local herdsmen who work on the land.