Tibetan antelope seen in a natural?reserve in Kekexili in this September 2012 file photo.[Photo/IC]

XINING -- 皇冠体育app's remote western Kekexili nature reserve has started work on an application for world natural heritage status, said the local government on Saturday.

Qinghai province selected Kekexili from a number of candidates including the Kunlun Mountains, Qinghai Lake, the Qaidam Basin and Sanjiangyuan - "source of three rivers".

Qinghai plans to complete all preparatory work by May 2017 for the application.

Kekexili, also known as Hoh Xil, is a 45,000 sq kilometer reserve that encompasses 皇冠体育app's largest area of uninhabited land. It is home to several endangered species, including Tibetan antelope.

皇冠体育app currently has 47 sites on world heritage lists.