Xining, literally meaning “peace in the west border” in Chinese, is the capital city and biggest city of Qinghai Province. The city is located in the northeastern Qinghai and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and the conjunction flatland of Huangshui River and its three branches, surrounded by mountain ranges. It is a classic immigrant city where many ethnic groups (like Hui, Tibetan) and different religions (Tibetan & Chinese Buddhism, Islam) coexists. Xining has been an important historical city in northwestern China for more than 2,100 years. During ancient time, it played as the guarding frontier city, also an important stopover along the ancient Silk Road, as well a trading center for Tang Empire and Tubo Kingdom(Tibet). Nowadays, Xining is the cultural and economic center of Qinghai Province, which has become a hot tourist destination especially in summer vacations. Its strategic location makes Xining the transportation hub for traveling to Tibet, Gansu and Xinjiang.
Traveling in Xining and around is all about experiencing Tibetan and Muslim culture and enjoy superb plateau landscape. The most famous and popular attractions are Qinghai Lake, Kumbum Monastery (Ta’er Temple), Donguan Grand Mosque and Tibetan Medicine & Tibet Culture Museum. There are also some other sites you can take some time to acquaint the city, such as Qinghai Province Museum, Mount Laoye, Mojia Street, etc. >> Know more about Top Things to Do in Xining.
Qinghai Lake or Kokonor is China’s largest inland lake and saltwater lake with enchanting natural beauty and uncountable species of birds. There are enough to explore in Qinghai Lake and it is never exaggerated to call it Flowers’ Ocean, Birds’ Paradise and Cyclists’ Heaven.
Incredible “Mirror of Sky” in China where you can capture pure lake and gorgeous reflection of blue sky and distant snowy mounatins and view giant salt sculptures. Take a train across the lake to tracel back to the film scene occured in the famous Spirited Away.
Taer Monastery, the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, is honored as one of “the Six Greatest Monastery of Tibetan Gelug”. When appreciating the compound of Tibetan style and Chinese style architectures, you can also admire the “Three Arts” - murals, barbola and butter sculptures to learn Tibetan culture and Buddhism.
Donguan Mosque, originally built in early Ming Dynasty, is an over 600-year-old Muslim cummunity. It is one of the “Four Greatest Mosques in Northwest China”. You can view fresh-colored typical Islamic buildings and many Muslims gathering for their weekly worships.
It’s a newly-built museum focus on Tibetan medicine and culture. Watching exhibition of ancient medical books, specimens and surgical instruments, Thangka paintings and many illustrated scenes, visitors can catch a glimpse of brilliant Tibetan medical history and culture.
The most majestic and beautiful mountain in Xining. You can take a hiking trip to enjoy the lush vegetation, steep cliffs and ancient Taoist palaces, can get an panoramic view of downhill city from the mountain top.
Just 1.5 km, 20 mins’ walking distance from Dongguan Mosque, this street is a hundreds of years old famous snack street in downtown Xining. It’s the best place to satisfy your stomach and taste various kinds of local dishes and snacks at one go.
Located in the northwest inland of China with a high elevation (2,261 meters), Xining has a continental plateau semi-arid climate. Its climate features mainly include long sunshine hours, little rainfall, strong solar radiation, large temperature difference between day and night, mild temperature in winter and cool in summer. Because the surrounding mountain ranges with green plants prevent the cold and dry air flowing into Xining flatland, Xining doesn’t own very extreme weather. The annual mean temperature of Xining is 7.6℃, the highest temperature is 34.6℃ in July and the lowest temperature is about 7.6℃ in January. The annual average precipitation is 380 mm. When most cities in China face hot summer, Xining has a moderate temperature of 18.3℃. So, it’s a wonderful summer resort.
Generally speaking, Summer and Autumn, briefly from June to October, is the best time to visit Xining. The peak seasons are July, August and early October. Avoid these periods to get rid of super crowded tourists groups. During the 1st, 4th, 6th and 9th month of Chinese Lular Calendar, there are grand Buddhist festivals held in Kumbum Monastery. You can watch Mask Dance, exhibition of a Giant Thangka painting and many Buddhist activities.
Tips: 1) Please be sure to fully prepare for the strong sunlight and wind, sunglass, hat and sunblock are necessary; 2)thick clothes are recommended if visiting Qinghai Lake.
By Air: Xining is currently air-connected with many major cities in China, including Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Lhasa, Guangzhou, Dunhuang, Hohhot, Hangzhou, Kunming, Nanjing, Qingdao, Sanya, Zhangjiajie, Xiamen, Urumqi, etc. Travelers can get to Xining by taking a flight to Xining Caojiabao Airport, which is about 28 km (about 40 minutes’ drive) from the city center.
>> Xining Caojiabao International Airport & Flights
By Train: Xining is one of the most important railway centers in northwestern China. It is the starting point of Qinghai Tibet Railway and the midway station of Lanzhou-Xinjiang High Speed Railway. So, train travelers can take a high speed bullet train to Xining from Xian, Dunhuang, Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Turpan, Uruqmi, Chengdu, Chongqing, Taiyuan... or take a normal train departing from Lhasa, Beijing, Shanghai, Qinghai and other cities at a long distance. After arrival at Xining Railway Station, you can take a taxi to the city center (about 5 km, 20 minutes’ drive) while a bus costs 50 minutes.
Every day, there are 6 trains running from Xining to Lhasa and all are overnight normal trains you can take to go on an once-in-a-lifetime train journey along the world famous Qinghai-Tibet Railway, view stunning plateau scenery en route.
>> Xining Railway Stations/ Xining Transportation Guide
Land driving is the most common transportation in Qinghai. The most efficient and recommended way to get around Xining is by private car. Public transport takes lots of time and is too complicated for first-timers while taking a taxi requires understandable communication and high cost. So we highly suggest you travel with China Discovery, take advantage of our worry-free transfers, enjoy pick-up from the airport, train station and private transfer among major attractions in Xining and to Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake and other destinations near Xining. Roads are all well-paved highways.
Xining city center to Kumbum Monastery: about 28 km, 40 minutes by driving
Xining to Qinghai Lake: about 150 km, 2.5 hours by driving
Xining to Chaka Salt Lake: about 300 km, 4.5 hours by driving
Xining to Kanbula National Forest Park: about 105 km, 1.5 hours by driving
Xining to Tongren (Rongwo Monastery): about 165 km, 2.5 hours by driving
Xining, the capital city and the largest city of Qinghai, is still the tourist center for travelers to Qinghai. With the development of tourism, many luxury chain hotels have established hotels in Xining, such as Sofitel, Wanda. Among all destinations in Qinghai, Xining owns the best accommodation and the largest numbder of hotels. In Xining, you can choose from 5-star luxury hotels to economical guesthouse and homestays according to your budget. The best and most recommended accommodation place is the downtown area where most hotels are located. Staying here, you have flexible choices and can conveniently transfer to major attractions and easily go shopping and find local food street. Depending on your itinerary, you may also accommodate near the Xining Railway Station or the airport.
Most Recommend Hotels in Xining: Sofitel Xining, Wanda Realm Xining, Qinghai Yinlong Hotel, Sebel Xining-Managed By Sofitel (5-star); Qinghai Hotel, Holiday Inn Qinghai Hotel, Xining Hot-Spring, San Want Hotel (4-star).
Checking Xining maps helps you plan your travel route efficiently. We have made and collected the most useful Xining maps in the following. You can read the maps to know the location of Xining and neary attractions/destinations, better plan your Xining trip itinerary. For more Xining maps, such as the transportation map from Xining to Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, please visit our overall Xining Maps 2021. All the Xining maps are updated and downloadbale and printable.
Xining Location Map
Kumbum Monastery Location Map
Kumbum Monastery Travel Map
Located on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Qinghai Province not only creates tremendous natural wodners like crystal blue lakes, magnificent Yardan landforms, majestic mountains, vast grasslands and precious nature reserves, but also presents unique culture of diverse ethnic minorities. The following are four highly-praised destinations tourists love to visit with Xining. You can pick one or more for an in-depth exploration of the natural and cultural sepctacles of Qinghai.
Though far away from the eastern and central developed cities, northwestern China is a beloved dream land for tourists to trace back to the ancient Silk Road and discover off-the-beaten-track landscape and experience the diverse minority culture. As one of the birthplace of many ancient Chinese civilizations, you can also find time-honored relics in this region. Here are four best places selected for you to enjoy the stunning plateau scenery, vast deserts and glorious culture and history, make a special, meaningful and memorable adventure. You can easily travel to these charming places from Xining. (Check all destinations in China.)
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