A group of swans swim on the Qinghai Lake in northwest China's Qinghai Province, forming a fascinating picture. [Photo/Xinhua] 

A group of swans swim on the Qinghai Lake in northwest China's Qinghai Province, forming a fascinating picture. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Qinghai Lake, China's biggest salt water lake, has witnessed a remarkable increase in the number of swans this year thanks to government's effective measures taken to protect the environment.

The latest remote sensing indicates that the lake has been expanding for eight consecutive years to 4402.5 square kilometers, the biggest in almost 12 years.

Qinghai Lake is known for its fascinating color changes, depending on the angle, time of day, and season it is viewed. It is home to 189 species of birds and forms a crucial barrier against the encroachment of the desert from the west.

A group of swans swim on the Qinghai Lake in northwest China's Qinghai Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

A group of swans rest beside the Qinghai Lake in northwest China's Qinghai Province. [Photo/Xinhua]