Situated in southwest China, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the largest plateau in China, covering 2.5 million square kilometers, or nearly a quarter of the national total land area. With an elevation averaging between 4,000 and 5,000 meters, it is the highest plateau on earth, and is known as the "roof of the world."

The Himalayan Mountain is located in southern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its highest peak, Mt. Qomolangma (or Mt. Everest) is 8,848.13 meters above sea level. It is the highest peak in the world. Surrounded and traversed by several mountain ranges, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is where many of China's major rivers originate. Boasting more than 1,000 lakes, it is also a plateau with the most lakes worldwide, including the Qinghai Lake-- China's largest saltwater lake, and the Namtso Lake, the second largest saltwater lake in China and the highest saltwater lake in the world.

Besides, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has the most lakes and the most salt lakes in China, reputed as "home of salt lakes".