Name: Xining

Chinese name: 西宁

Province: Qinghai

Status: Prefecture-level city

Population: 2,208,708

Area: 7,472 km²

Xining is the capital of Qinghai Province in the heart of Chine on the Tibetan plateau. This bustling city may not seduce through charm alone, but rather through the quality of its cuisine, accommodations, and proximity to Qinghai Lake.

History

Situated at the confluence of Tibetan-Lamaist, Confucian-Taoist, and Muslim cultures, Xining boasts a history spanning over 2,000 years.

Xining served as a frontier outpost during the Han Dynasty and became a garrison town and trading hub in the 16th century. Beyond its role as a junction between the central plains and western Chine, Xining lay at the heart of the Silk Road. Today, it remains the primary gateway for entering the hinterlands of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau.

Today

On the Tibetan plateau, Xining sits at an elevation of 2,275 meters. Nearly 37 ethnic groups coexist here, including Han, Hui, Tu, and Tibetans. Local traditions and customs are enriched by each nationality, giving Xining its distinctive character.

The city itself offers limited tourist attractions, though you can pause at the Dongguan Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in northwestern Chine, or wander through the remarkable clifftop temple, Beishan Si.

Xining is known to travelers as the stopover before venturing to Qinghai Lake, Chine's largest salt lake.

The Kumbum Monastery (or Ta'er Si) is also a must-visit during your journey through Qinghai. Located just 25 km from Xining, this monastery stands as one of the principal centers of Tibetan Buddhism.

For both domestic and international travelers, Xining offers an opportunity to savor delicious local dishes and snacks. The city also provides excellent accommodations and has enhanced its public transport system to facilitate movement throughout.

Climate

Xining has a continental climate. The average annual temperature is notably low at 7.3°C.

Winters are dry and bitterly cold, with average temperatures around −6°C in January. Summers are milder, averaging 19°C in the warmest month.

Night temperatures tend to drop sharply, so pack warm jackets for evenings.

Xining is Qinghai's primary transportation hub.

Air

Xining has an airport with connections to major Chinese cities including Beijing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Urumqi, and Golmud.

Train

Xining is renowned for hosting one of the world's highest railway lines, connecting the city to Lhasa in Tibet. The line covers nearly 2,000 km in just under 24 hours.

Xining is also connected by rail to Beijing, Lanzhou, and Golmud.

Bus

The long-distance bus station serves all major sites throughout Qinghai.

Long-distance buses traverse stunning routes from Gansu, Shaanxi, and Henan.

Local buses efficiently connect suburban neighborhoods to the city center.

Taxis and minivans are also available to reach your destination.

What to Do in Xining?

• Learn more about Tibetan culture and the Silk Road at the Qinghai Provincial Museum.
• Stroll through Beishan Temple and enjoy panoramic views of the city.
• Discover Qinghai Lake, Chine's largest salt lake, and its Bird Island.
• Visit the grand Ta'er Monastery, a testament to Tibetan Buddhism.
• Wander through the gardens of the Grand Mosque with its distinctive Chinese architecture.

Explore all of Xining's attractions.