Xining Caojiabao International Airport (XNN)

Xining Caojiabao International Airport (IATA: XNN) 西宁曹家堡国际机场

Location: Huzhu Tu Autonomous County, Haidong, Qinghai 青海省海东市互助土族自治县, about 33 km, 40 minutes’ drive to Xining downtown.

Xining Caojiabao International Airport was opened to traffic in December, 1991. It now has two terminals: T1 and T2. T1 is for international and regional (Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) flights and T2 is for domestic flights. As of October 2019, Xining has 62 airlines connecting 48 cities at home (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xian, Chengdu, Chongqing, Lhasa, Hangzhou and most major cities) and abroad (Bangkok in Thailand, Tokyo in Japan, Seoul in South Korea, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia…). Shuttle bus is available to take you from the airport to Xining downtown. If you are going to Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake or farther destinations, it is more convenient to charter a car.

Parking Apron of Xining Caojiabao International Airport

Best Xining Tours:

Domestic Flights to Xining Caojiabao International Airport

Xining Caojiabao International Airport operates flights to most cities in China. You can take a flight to transfer between Xining and domestic cities such as Beijing (2.5h), Shanghai (3h10min-6h), Guangzhou (3h15min-5h), Xian (1.5h), Lhasa (2-3.5h), Chengdu (1h40min-4h), Chongqing (2h), etc.

Xining Caojiabao International Airport Domestic Flights Map (updated in May, 2021)

Major Xining Caojiabao International Airport Domestic Flight Schedules:

Route	Duration	Frequency (per day)	Flight Type	Check Details
Beijing → Xining	2.5h	9	Direct Flight	Beijing to Xining Flight Schedule >
Shanghai → Xining	3h10min-6h	about 10	Direct/Stopover Flight	Shanghai to Xining Flight Schedule >
Guangzhou → Xining	3h15min-5h	5	Direct/Stopover Flight	Guangzhou to Xining Flight Schedule >
Lhasa → Xining	2-3.5h	7	Direct/Stopover Flight	Lhasa to Xining Flight Schedule >
Xian → Xining	1.5h	about 12	Direct Flight	Xian to Xining Flight Schedule >
Chengdu → Xining	1h40min-4h	about 8	Direct/Stopover Flight	Chengdu to Xining Flight Schedule >
Chongqing → Xining	2h	2	Direct/Transfer Flight	Chongqing to Xining Flight Schedule >
Kunming → Xining	2.5h	3	Direct Flight	Kunming to Xining Flight Schedule >
Urumqi → Xining	2.5h	2	Direct Flight	Urumqi to Xining Flight Schedule >

*The above flight schedules is listed for reference only and is subject to seasonal adjustment by the airline accompanies. You can contact us to get updated, detailed flight information.

International Flights to Xining Caojiabao International Airport

Xining Caojiabao International Airport has opened airlines to some Asian countries such as Bangkok in Thailand, Tokyo in Japan, Seoul in South Korea, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Siem Reap in Cambodia, Nha Trang in Vietnam… The flight duration is usually about 5 hours. At present, the flight schedule is not fixed and you need to check out before your trip. If there is no flight suits your schedule, you can fly to other cities to China such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and then transfer to Xining.

Xining Caojiabao International Airport Location & Transfer

Xining Caojiabao International Airport is located in Huzhu Tu Autonomous County in Haidong city, about 33 km to the southeast of Xining city. You can take an airport shuttle bus or taxi to Xining downtown and then charter a car to relatively far attractions such as Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake because the public transportation is not very convenient.

To Xining downtown (Chengzhong District): about 33 km, 40 minutes by car; 50 minutes by shuttle bus.
To Qinghai Lake: about 180 km, 3 hours by car.
To Chaka Salt Lake: about 320 km, 4 hours 15 minutes by car.

Xining Caojiabao International Airport Location Map

Xining Caojiabao International Airport Shuttle Bus

There are 3 airport shuttle bus lines transfering you between the airport and Xining. The buses will take you to the east (Chengdong District), center (Chengzhong District), and west (Chengxi District) of Xining city with a fee of about CNY 21 (for reference only).

Bus Line	Route	Depart from Airport	Depart from Xining
Line 1 (To Chengdong District)	Airport - Xining Railway Station Passenger Center - Xinqiancaochong Dashijie - Bayi Road Passenger Station - Inder Hotel	Depart every 30 minutes from the first flight to the last flight	From Xining Railway Station Passenger Center: 08:00-18:00 (every hour)
Line 2 (To Chengzhong District)	Airport - Qinghai Hotel - Zhongxin Square	Depart every 30 minutes from the first flight to the last flight	From Qinghai Hotel: 08:15-18:15 (every hour)
Line 3 (To Chengxi District)	Airport - Sofitel Hotel	Depart every 90 minutes from 09:30-18:00	From Sofitel Hotel: 08:00-17:00 (every hour)

Note: The chart above is for reference only. The specific schedule and route shall be subject to the timetable shown at the airport.

Travel with China Discovery - Worry-Free Transfer

If you don’t want to wait for the bus or worry about the language barrier with taxi drivers, you can choose the private tour service provided by us. We at China Discovery provide comfortable and efficient transfer service for our clients who have booked one of our tour packages. No matter when your flight/train arrives, our friendly tour guide and driver will welcome you at the airport/train station, then escort you to your hotel or any location you want to visit with an air-conditioned and non-smoking vehicle. All the matters such as transportation, meal, accommodation, and ticket will be taken care of, an the itinerary is quite flexible, all you need to do is just enjoy your trip. >>Contact us now

China Discovery Private Transfer

How to Plan a Xining Trip

How to Get to Xining: You can fly to Xining from Beijing (2.5h), Shanghai (3h), Guangzhou (3h15min), Lhasa (2-3.5h), Xian (1.5h), etc. or take a bullet train to Xining from Xian (4-5h), Lanzhou (1h10min-1.5h), Zhangye (2h), Jiayuguan (3.3.5h), Dunhuang (6h), etc.

Best Time to Visit Xining: Months from May to October are the best because the temperature is moderate and comfortable.

Where to Stay in Xining: Xining downtown is most recommended. If you are going to visit Qinghai Lake or Chaka Salt Lake, you can also choose the hotels nearby.

Xining is the starting point and transfer center for a Qinghai tour. It’s suitable to spend 1 day discovering the top attractions in Xining, including the Kumbum Monastery, Dongguan Mosque, Tibetan Medicine & Tibet Culture Museum. The vast and beautiful Qinghai Lake, about 2.5 hours’ drive from Xining is the No.1 must-visit attraction. You can spend one day here appreciating the water scenery, hiking or biking along the lake or taking a Qinghai Lake cruise (cruise is only available from May to October). With one more day, you can expand trip to the Chaka Salt Lake, known as Mirror of the Sky for its stunning reflected natural landscape on the salt lake. Another day is needed. Usually, people take 3~4 days to visit the three destinations together to explore the cultural and natural highlights of Qinghai.

☛ 3 Days Qinghai Short Stay Tour
☛ 4 Days Enchanting Qinghai Lake Chaka Salt Lake Tour

With short driving distance, there are a few less-known but incredible destinations you can visit, such as the Tongren with authentic Amdo Tibetan Buddhist culture and famous Regong Arts, Kanbula National Forest Park with magnificent Yellow River and Danxia landform. If you’re interested and have more time, you can continue the Buddhist cultural trip to Xiahe (Labrang Monastery) and Linxia (Bingling Temple) in southern Gansu.

☛ 4 Days Qinghai Lake Kanbula National Forest Park Geographic Wonders Tour
☛ 4 Days Qinghai Lake Landscape Tour plus Tongren Authentic Tibetan Culture & Art Exploration
☛ 5 Days Amdo Tibetan Culture Experience Tour

Northwest and southwest China are mysterious lands full of natural beauty and cultural charms. Tourists often make a long trip from Qinghai to neighboring Zhangye (Rainbow Mountains), Jiayuguan, Dunhuang (Mogao Caves) of Gansu along the Silk Road, or make a Sky Train trip to “Roof of the World” - Tibet, visit Potala Palace, Mount Everest, Namtso Lake..., or explore Badain Jaran Desert in Western Inner Mongolia, go further to Urumqi, Turpan and more destinations in Xinjiang and travel land to Jiuzhaigou, Ruo’ergai of Sichuan.

☛ 7 Days Qinghai Lake Zhangye Danxia Badain Jaran Desert Wonders Tour
☛ 6 Days Xining to Lhasa Train Tour by Qinghai Tibet Railway
☛ 6 Days Xining to Lhasa Train Tour by Qinghai Tibet Railway
☛ 12 Days Epic Silk Road Tour including Qinghai Lake and Zhangye Danxia

You can choose from our most popular Qinghai tour packages covering excellent sightseeing and the best local experiences. As an experienced and professional China travel agency, China Discovery also offers customized tour service to help you design a unique trip on your own. Just contact us, tell us your schedule and preferences, we will create a memorable China Qinghai tour for you.

Erlangjian Scenic Area in Qinghai Lake

Tibetan Monks in Rongwo Monastery of Tongren

Badain Jaran Desert Jeep Safari

Xining to Lhasa Train on the Qinghai Tibet Railway

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Recommended Xining Tours

Top 3 Xining tours chosen by most customers to explore Xining in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.

4 Days Enchanting Qinghai Lake Chaka Salt Lake Tour

Xining / Qinghai Lake / Chaka Lake / Xining

5 Days Amdo Tibetan Culture Experience Tour

Xining - Tongren - Xiahe - Linxia

6 Days Tongren Shaman Festival Tour

Xining / Qinghai Lake / Tongren / Xining

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

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