Hulsan[1][2][3] or Hollusun Nor[4] is a romanization of a Mongolian name meaning "Reed Lake", from their former abundance in the area.

[5] Huoluxun and Huobuxun[a] are the pinyin romanizations of the Mandarin pronunciation of the same name's transcriptions into Chinese characters.

[9] It is fed from the east by the Nuomuhong (t 諾木洪河, s 诺木洪河, Nuòmùhóng Hé) and Sulinggele[12] or Suolinguole River.

[14] An inflow from the north by mineral springs in the playa's northern karst zone contribute a smaller volume of water[2] but its much higher solute concentration greatly affects the lake and its sediments.

[2] South Hulsan Lake has gained somewhat since the year 2000 as North Hulsan has shrunk in size to ephemeral status; this is thought to be related to the many salt pans constructed in recent years to harvest the lakes' sediment for potash.