Xining Travel Guide – The Ultimate Guide for a Xining Tour
Situated at an altitude of 2,261 meters, Xining is the meeting point of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Loess Plateau, and the Northwest Arid Zone. As the capital of Qinghai Province, Xining serves as the eastern gateway to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The famous Qinghai-Tibet Railway just starts its journey here.
Though Xining may not as famous as other Silk Road destinations, it was once a key stop on the southern route of the ancient Silk Road and is known as the “Throat of Qinghai and Tibet”. This vibrant city is where you can experience the cultures of Tibetans, Hui, Han, and other ethnic groups. From sculptures and murals at the Ta’er Monastery, and the green domes of Dongguan Mosque, to the Hui-style hand-pulled lamb, and fermented barley dessert on the streets, you can easily immerse yourself in its cultural diversity while a leisurely stroll.
Xining’s natural scenery is as diverse as its culture, with its surroundings filled with many natural wonders. Here, you can easily spot the distant snow-capped peaks merging with the skyline. Qinghai Lake and Chaka Lake are just 2-3 hours drive from the city, both offering surreal landscapes.
In this Xining Travel Guide, we lay out the most essential information about how to visit Xining, including top tourist attractions, best time to travel, how to get to Xining, accommodations, and more, to help you plan the perfect trip to this unique highland city.
Though Xining may not as famous as other Silk Road destinations, it was once a key stop on the southern route of the ancient Silk Road and is known as the “Throat of Qinghai and Tibet”. This vibrant city is where you can experience the cultures of Tibetans, Hui, Han, and other ethnic groups. From sculptures and murals at the Ta’er Monastery, and the green domes of Dongguan Mosque, to the Hui-style hand-pulled lamb, and fermented barley dessert on the streets, you can easily immerse yourself in its cultural diversity while a leisurely stroll.
Xining’s natural scenery is as diverse as its culture, with its surroundings filled with many natural wonders. Here, you can easily spot the distant snow-capped peaks merging with the skyline. Qinghai Lake and Chaka Lake are just 2-3 hours drive from the city, both offering surreal landscapes.
In this Xining Travel Guide, we lay out the most essential information about how to visit Xining, including top tourist attractions, best time to travel, how to get to Xining, accommodations, and more, to help you plan the perfect trip to this unique highland city.
Chinese name: 西宁 (xī níng)
Population: 2.481 million (in 2023)
Elevation: Average altitude of about 2261 meters
Area: Around 7660 square kilometers
Airport: Xining Caojiabao International Airport (IATA Code: XNN; ICAO Code: ZLXN)
Zip Code: 0971
Time Zone: UTC+8
Population: 2.481 million (in 2023)
Elevation: Average altitude of about 2261 meters
Area: Around 7660 square kilometers
Airport: Xining Caojiabao International Airport (IATA Code: XNN; ICAO Code: ZLXN)
Zip Code: 0971
Time Zone: UTC+8
Why Visit Xining in Qinghai
- China’s Summer Capital: With its summer temperatures averaging around 20°C, Xining is a paradise to escape summer heat.
- Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake: The fields of rapeseed flowers encircling Qinghai Lake in July and the “Mirror of the Sky” of the Chaka Salt Lake both create dreamlike experiences.
- Wild Qilian Mountain Grassland: In summer, when the lush grasslands are dotted with wildflowers, Tibetan tents, and grazing yaks, visitors can experience the serene beauty of nature, and thrilling trekking or horseback riding.
- Two striking cultural symbols of Xining, Kumbum Monastery’s intricate butter sculptures and Dongguan Mosque’s unique fusion of green domes and Chinese eaves, embody the harmonious coexistence of traditions of Tibet and Islam.
- Starting Point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway: Xining Station is the starting point of the “Sky Road Train” to Tibet. This world’s highest railway is accompanied by highland grasslands and endless snow-capped mountains.
Top Xining Tourist Attractions
Xining is an ancient plateau city that seamlessly blending magnificent snow mountains and lakes, diverse religious relics, colorful ethnic life, and the convenience of urban life. Below are some of the top attractions in Xining, covering its captivating highland landscape and profound cultural and historical heritage.
Qinghai LakeSitting at an altitude of 3,200 meters, Qinghai Lake is the largest inland saltwater lake in China. It is famous for the stunning natural scenery, surrounding vast fields of golden rapeseed flowers, rich birdlife, and the world’s highest-altitude International Road Cycling Race held every summer.
Chaka Salt LakeLocated at an altitude of 3,059 meters, Chaka Salt Lake features pristine salt layers reflecting the sky and distant snow-capped mountains. Visitors can hop on a 60-cm narrow-gauge train to enjoy a surreal journey through the salt lake.
Kumbum MonasteryOne of the six major monasteries of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism, Kumbum Monastery, aka Ta’er Monastery, is famous as the birthplace of Tsongkhapa. It is most renowned for its exquisite butter sculptures, murals, embroidery, and daily debates among monks.
Dongguan MosqueOne of the largest mosques in northwest China, Dongguan Mosque features the unique fusion of Chinese eaves with Islamic domes. Its green domes harmoniously coexist with Chinese archways, and the interiors are also beautifully decorated. When illuminated at night, the mosque looks like a fairy-tale castle.
Qinghai Provincial MuseumThe museum offers a window for visitors to learn about Qinghai’s historical and ethnic culture. Here, you can witness Majiayao culture pottery with exquisite patterns showcasing prehistoric plateau civilization. And many traditional costumes and crafts of Tibetans, Tu, and Salar people.
Mojia StreetA century-food street in Xining, Mojia Street is an ideal place to taste a variety of Qinghai snacks and ethnic flavors, such as hand-pulled lamb, yak yogurt, tianpei, and liangpi. It is definitely worth a visit if you want to look into the essence of a highland marketplace and experience local vibrant nightlife.
Xining Weather and Best Time to Visit
Xining has a plateau continental climate, characterized by lower temperatures, low precipitation, long sunshine hours and large diurnal temperatue variations. The annual precipitation here is only about 491.9 mm, and is mainly concentrated between June and September. Usually, the rain comes in short bursts, and won’t disrupt your Xining travel plans.
The high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation is another factor you need to consider during your Xining trip. The UV index levels can reach 12 during summer, making sun protection essential.
Influenced by the plateau’s continental climate, Xining experiences cool summers and cold winters, with its annual average temperature range around 5.5℃ to 7.6℃. Since its summer average temperatures remain cool at around 17-19°C, the city is often called “China’s Summer Capital”, which is the perfect escape from the scorching heat.
Summer months from June to August are also the best time to visit Xining. Besides the comfortable temperatures, summer is when its natural scenery at the peak. In July, vast fields of blooming rapeseed flowers surround Qinghai Lake, creating a scenic paradise for either cycling or horseback riding. It is also the perfect time to capture the “Mirror of the Sky” phenomenon at Chaka Salt Lake.
The early autumn from September to October is also a great time for a Xining trip when the temperature is still comfortable, raning from 10-20°C. Though the rapeseed flowers fade, this period brings vivid autumn foliage on nearby mountains.
Spring is when Xining gradually warms up and decorated with apricot and pear blossoms in full bloom. But you need to prepare for the occasional dust storms and strong winds.
The high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation is another factor you need to consider during your Xining trip. The UV index levels can reach 12 during summer, making sun protection essential.
Influenced by the plateau’s continental climate, Xining experiences cool summers and cold winters, with its annual average temperature range around 5.5℃ to 7.6℃. Since its summer average temperatures remain cool at around 17-19°C, the city is often called “China’s Summer Capital”, which is the perfect escape from the scorching heat.
Summer months from June to August are also the best time to visit Xining. Besides the comfortable temperatures, summer is when its natural scenery at the peak. In July, vast fields of blooming rapeseed flowers surround Qinghai Lake, creating a scenic paradise for either cycling or horseback riding. It is also the perfect time to capture the “Mirror of the Sky” phenomenon at Chaka Salt Lake.
The early autumn from September to October is also a great time for a Xining trip when the temperature is still comfortable, raning from 10-20°C. Though the rapeseed flowers fade, this period brings vivid autumn foliage on nearby mountains.
Spring is when Xining gradually warms up and decorated with apricot and pear blossoms in full bloom. But you need to prepare for the occasional dust storms and strong winds.
Hotels in Xining – Recommended Accommodation Areas and Hotels
City Center
Reasons to stay: Near to popular attractions and food streets, convenient transportation. Diverse shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Convenient for experiencing local nighlife.
Recommended hotels: Qinghai Yinlong Hotel (5-star), Jinjiang Inn Xining Mojia Street Food Street Hotel, Sofitel Xining New Hualian Hotel
Recommended hotels: Qinghai Yinlong Hotel (5-star), Jinjiang Inn Xining Mojia Street Food Street Hotel, Sofitel Xining New Hualian Hotel
Near Xining Station
Reasons to stay: Convenient for those catching a train in the early morning or late night. A variety of accommodation options available.
Recommended hotels: Qinghai Summer Capital Hotel, Xi’an Hotel Xining Railway Station Plaza
Recommended hotels: Qinghai Summer Capital Hotel, Xi’an Hotel Xining Railway Station Plaza
Near Qinghai Lake/Chaka Salt Lake
Reasons to stay: Convenient for in-depth visits to the lakes, scenic views.
Recommended hotels: Qinghai Lake Hotel, Chaka Salt Lake Tent Hotel
Recommended hotels: Qinghai Lake Hotel, Chaka Salt Lake Tent Hotel
Xining Transportation – How to Get to & Travel Around
How to Get to Xining?
By Air
Xining Caojiabao Airport is the main airport in Qinghai Province, located about 28 kilometers east of Xining City. The airport now offers flights to major domestic cities, like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guangzhou, etc. and some international flights to Bangkok, and Seoul.
After arrival, you can take the airport shuttle buses to city center locations, with a fare of about CNY 21. A taxi ride from the airport to the city center takes about 30 minutes and costs about CNY 80-100.
By Train
As the starting point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, Xining Station offers both regular trains and high-speed or bullet trains to many northwest destinations and major cities in the country. Besides the popular Xining to Lhasa train route, there are also frequent high-speed trains to Xian, Lanzhou, Chengdu, Zhengzhou, Shanghai, etc. There are many bus routes connect Xining city center with the station, including Bus Lines 1, 5, 9, 30, 32, etc.
Xining Caojiabao Airport is the main airport in Qinghai Province, located about 28 kilometers east of Xining City. The airport now offers flights to major domestic cities, like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guangzhou, etc. and some international flights to Bangkok, and Seoul.
After arrival, you can take the airport shuttle buses to city center locations, with a fare of about CNY 21. A taxi ride from the airport to the city center takes about 30 minutes and costs about CNY 80-100.
By Train
As the starting point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, Xining Station offers both regular trains and high-speed or bullet trains to many northwest destinations and major cities in the country. Besides the popular Xining to Lhasa train route, there are also frequent high-speed trains to Xian, Lanzhou, Chengdu, Zhengzhou, Shanghai, etc. There are many bus routes connect Xining city center with the station, including Bus Lines 1, 5, 9, 30, 32, etc.
How to Travel Around Xining
Xining offers convenient transportation options for visitors to travel around. Buses can access to most attractions in the city center, such as Kumbum Monaster, Dongguan Mosque, Mojia Street, and Qinghai Provincial Museum.
Taxi is also convenient to reach city center locations, with a starting fare of 8 RMB for the first 3 kilometers, then 1.6 RMB per kilometer.
To reach the further attractions, such as Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake, it is recommended to charter a car with a local driver, or join in a local tour organized by a reliable travel agency.
Taxi is also convenient to reach city center locations, with a starting fare of 8 RMB for the first 3 kilometers, then 1.6 RMB per kilometer.
To reach the further attractions, such as Qinghai Lake and Chaka Salt Lake, it is recommended to charter a car with a local driver, or join in a local tour organized by a reliable travel agency.
Useful Xining Travel Tips
- Xining has an average altitude of about 2200 meters. To avoid altitude sickness, you’d better avoid strenuous activities and alcohol and take Phodiola three days prior to your arrival.
- Essential items to bring: sunscreenm moisturizer, lip balm (to prevent chapped lips due to dryness of Xining), sunglasses, wide-brimmed hat, and multifunctional headscarf.
- Clothing tips: Short sleeves, sun-protective clothing, and a light down jacket or fleece in summer. Windproof down jacket, thermal underwear, scarf, gloves, and non-slip hiking boots in winter.
- Try local cuisine: Must-eats in Xining include the hand-pulled lamb, yak yogurt, and tianpeizi (a fermented barley drink).
- When visiting Kumbum Monastery, walk clockwise around the prayer wheels. Don’t point at Buddha statues, or take photos inside the halls.
- Avoid wearing short skirts or off-shoulder tops when visiting Dongguan Mosque.
Top Silk Road Tours including Xining
10 Days Gansu Tour of China Silk Road from XiningTa’er Monastery, Qinghai Lake, Labrang Monastery, Bingling Templem, Giant Buddha Temple, Zhangye Danxia Park, Jiayuguan Pass, Mogao Grottoes, etc.
9 Days In-Depth Northwestern China Silk Road TourYardang Geoparkm, Mogao Grottoes, Jiayuguan Fort, Danxia Geopark, Mati Temple, Qinghai Lake, Ta’er Monastery, Dongguan Great Mosque, etc.
13 Days Qinghai, Gansu and Xinjiang TourTa’er Monastery, Binglingsi Grottoes, Sangke Prairie, Labrang Monastery, Danxia landform, Jiayuguan Pass, Mogao Grottoes, Baizikeli Thousand Buddha Caves, etc.
