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China travel and tour destination Xining

China Destination Guide - Xining 西宁

Xining is the capital of China's remote Qinghai province and the meeting point of the Silk Road and Tibetan influence. The main attractions are outside of the city itself and include the Kumbum monastery and Qinghai Lake. The city is also a possible start point for the train to Lhasa and idea if you want to combine a Silk Road and Tibetan trip. however, tickets are hard to come by in the busy summer months.

➤ TCTC Tip: Xining is an ideal stop if you wish to link the Silk Road to a Tibet trip.

What there is to see in Xining:

Kumbum Monastery also known as Taer Si is one of the six great monasteries of the Yellow Hat Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Dating from 1577 and located 26km outside of Xining it doesn't feel quite as genuine as some other Tibetan monasteries but is impressive nonetheless.
Qinghai Lake is a vast saline expanse and an important breeding ground for birds from March to early June. 300km from Xining, visiting the lake is a trip in itself.
Qinghai provincial Museum focus's on Tibet and the Silk Road
Shuijing Xiang Market is a vibrant street market with a wide variety of foods available.

Best time to visit Xining

May to October are the best months as Xining gets very cold in the winter although the winter months can be a good time to take the train in to Tibet.

Best reason to visit Xining

The Kumbum Monastery just outside of the city is the real highlight but Xining is also a good launch point for the train to Lhasa although tickets are scarce in the summer months.

Our last word on Xining

Xining is an ideal city from which to turn a Silk Road trip into a Tibet trip although it should be noted that train ticket to Lhasa are very hard to obtain during the summer months.