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As early as 400 years ago, Li Shi-zhen, the famous doctor on iatrology and pharmacology of the Ming Dynasty, described in his book, Compendium of Materia Medica <本草綱目> , the form of Qinghai salt precisely and its functions in medical care in detail. According to him, salt has anti-inflammation effect and helps to relieve fatigue, reduce eye puffiness, treat mosquito bite and plenty more.

Lake Chaka was initially mined for salt. Precisely when it was first discovered as a source of salt is not known, but it has been recorded in Han Dynasty's Chronicles, Geography Records that "there are the Temple to the Heavenly Queen Mother, the Celestial Sea (now known as Qinghai Lake), and Salt Pond (now known as Chaka Salt Lake) to the northwest and the northern frontier of Linqiang (now known as Huangyuan County)." Linqiang County had once been renamed as Salt-Qiang County during Wangmang's ruling of the Han Dynasty.

Lake Chaka is not only well known for its salt, but also for its unique landscapes. It was listed as an imperative scenic spot by the Qinghai People's Government in the early 1980s. Today, it has become a “Must Visit” scenic zone in Qinghai, attracting millions of tourists from all over the world every year.

Facts About the Salt Lakes