In the remote, sparsely-populated northern Tibetan area of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, some 500 lakes with an average area of between one and five square kilometers and 300 other lakes with an average area of over five square kilometers are scattered around the region. With a total area of over 25,000 square kilometers, the plateau boasts the highest lake area in the world. Most of these lakes are salt water lakes, and many of them are rich in borax, sylvite and other rare mineral elements. The magical colors and charming scenery add to the mystery of the plateau.