Famous lake reflects its heritage

Beyond patrolling, Tsomo also engages in outreach — visiting schools to share the ecological value of the national park and using her fluency in Tibetan to educate local communities about wildlife protection and environmental laws.

"Protecting this environment is my mission. I hope more people will join us in safeguarding it," she says.

Tsomo has seen positive changes over her two years on patrol. "The biodiversity is recovering and the environment is gradually improving," she says. "For instance, some birds that didn't overwinter here in the past are now staying."

Tourism has also transformed the lake. "When I was a child, tourism wasn't as regulated or large-scale as it is now," Tsomo says.

At Qinghai Lake Scenic Area, a growing number of young people are following in Tsomo's footsteps, returning home after graduation to play a role in their birthplace's future. While Tsomo patrols the lake's fragile ecosystems, others are helping to protect and share its story in different ways, including through tourism.

Among them is 22-year-old A Kejuan, who studied tourism management at Qinghai Normal University. Last year, she spent four months at Qinghai Lake as a guide intern, leading visitors around its sweeping shores. This June, after earning her degree, she returned as a full-time guide, welcoming tour groups and independent travelers.

"I'm still in the learning phase. When I'm not leading a group, I follow the more experienced guides to pick up their skills. There are still many local legends, biological facts, and stories I'm unfamiliar with," she admits. "Visitors often ask many questions, like how deep the lake is or about local customs."

She has always enjoyed interacting with people and sharing stories, so this work suits her perfectly. Back in university, she participated in tour guide competitions. Now that she's stepped into the role for real, she's thrilled.

"Working as a guide, I realize how many unexpected situations can arise. Sometimes tourists ask very complex questions that I don't know how to answer yet," she says with a smile.

Her hometown is in Haidong city, more than 300 kilometers from Qinghai Lake. She remembers coming to the lake area as a child with her parents. As an adult, she's committed to systematically learning everything about this vast and storied lake.

"I've seen online reviews where visitors complained that the lake looked foggy, like they'd come for nothing. Maybe the weather wasn't great when they visited. But I think Qinghai Lake has a unique beauty in every type of weather," she says.

She also noticed a change in visitors' behavior. "Tourists are more environmentally conscious now. Plus, with our ongoing education efforts, their awareness of environmental protection is more consistent and proactive," she adds.