Tibetan antelope seen in a natural reserve in Kekexili in this September 2012 file photo.

XINING -- China'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 compete all preparatory work by May 2017 for the application.

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

China currently has 47 sites on world heritage lists.