
As the largest lake in a very large country, you’d probably imagine that China’s Qinghai Lake is pretty big, and with a surface area of over 4,100 square kilometers (1,583 square miles), you’d be right. But when numbers start getting that huge, it can be hard to really grasp their scale.
So just how big is Qinghai Lake? Well, you could say it’s twice the size of the 23 wards of central Tokyo. Or, to put it in more dramatic terms, it’s big enough to easily hold three gigantic water spouts at the same time.
With almost two dozen rivers feeding into it, Qinghai has plenty of sources for its water. But what Mother Nature gives she can also take away, as shown by the dynamic phenomena seen on Monday morning this week.
Meteorologists reported extremely strong gusts of wind above the lake from around 9:40 a.m., which led to the conditions seen above. As you might imagine, things can get a little lonely when you’re a towering tornado of water, but thankfully the waterspout was joined by a companion in short order.
Unfortunately, the arrival of yet another aquatic twister put the brakes on the budding romance.
▼ “Hey you guys, I’ve been looking all over for you!”
With all semblance of privacy gone, there was now apparently an open invite for waterspouts to hang out on Qinghai Lake, with a total of nine spotted at various times before the day was done. No images have surfaced of more than three occurring at the same place in the same time, though. There’s probably a scientific reason for that, or if you’re more of a romanticist, you could take this as proof of nature’s merciful streak.
We’ve got our own theory, though, which is that the three waterspouts shown in the video all have second and third identities as part of their roles as crime fighting superheroes.
▼ After all, billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne, intrepid reporter Clark Kent, and plucky youngster Peter Parker are all suspiciously absent from the footage.





Experience the moment the local gods cross a frozen Lake Suwa【Video】
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Suspected yakuza member arrested for having frequent flyer mile account
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Studio Ghibli adds mini pillows and massive mats to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Mister Donut’s beyond super soft and chewy beyond mochi mochi donuts have returned
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
McDonald’s Japan’s new Chiikawa Happy Meal figures are here![Photos]
The Pokémon anime studio’s next project is a Scooby-Doo anime, Yokoso Scooby-Doo
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
7-Eleven Japan now has ramen machines…but only at 41 stores
7-Eleven Japan is releasing Greedy chocolate chip and whipped cream sandwiches
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa