Abstract: River water serves as a key carrier for salt deposition in lakes, and its research could reveal the ore-forming material source and distribution rules. The river's hydrochemical characteristics, sources of solute components, and their controlling factors were investigated based on 103 samples collected at Nachitai Hydrological Station. The results showed that the pH value of the Kunlun River ranged from 7.8 to 8.1, and the annual average TDS was 411 mg/L, indicating weak alkaline water of moderate mineralization. The major ions in the river were Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Cl^-, and HCO₃^-, followed by Mg²⁺, K⁺, and SO₄^2-. The ions Na⁺, Cl^-, and SO₄^2- were primarily derived from the dissolution of evaporates, and Mg²⁺ mainly originated from the weathering of silicate rocks. The Ca²⁺ was derived from a mixture of carbonate and silicate rock weathering, and HCO₃^- mainly came from atmospheric carbon dioxide dissolution. The research findings have significant implications for tracing the formation and distribution of different types of evaporate mineral resources in Qaidam Basin.