How to Plan A Trip to Xining

Xining is usually the first stop for many tourists who plan to visit Qinghai. In Qinghai, you can see the iconic Taer Temple, Sun Moon Mountain, Qilian Mountain Grassland, Caka Salt Lake, Qarhan Salt Lake and the Menyuan Rape Flower Base. You can see lakes, temples, mountains, snow mountains and grasslands in Qinghai.

Famous Landmarks in Xining

Famous Landmarks in Xining are considered the Name Card of Xining, like Qinghai Lake, Dongguan Mosque and Taer Monastery, etc. ancient and new. They are somehow; represent a certain character or role Xining played to the world. Come with TopChinaTravel, to witness and appreciate those famous Xining Landmarks.

Qinghai Lake

Qinghai Lake, historically known as Koko Nor or Kuku Nor, is the largest saline lake and also inland lake in China. People considered Qinghai Lake as "green lake" or "fairyland" because of the marvelous and natural beautiful reflected on it. It is an important place in history which has been the traditional meeting place between Mongolian and Tibetan societies.

Each year, Sep. and Aug. are the most comfortable time to travel to Qinghai Lake. The rape flowers are in full blossom. The cycling race around the lake held here annually. In April and May, the grassland is not green, but it the best time to visit Bird Island.

Donggan Mosque

Dongguan Mosque, with a history more than 600 years, is one of the largest mosques in northwest China. The architecture of Dongugan mosque combines traditional Chinese style and the local features, with grand appearance and delicate, dazzlingly inside ornaments. The great mosque features a magnificent Islamic architecture with towers, walls and a temple-like main service hall. Now this mosque serves as an educational center and institution of higher learning for Islamism, and also is the leading mosque in Qinghai.

Dongguan mosque is not only for Muslims religious activities, but also the highest Islamic institution. Since the Republic of China, the founder of Islam and their heirs of Ikhwan sects of Islam named the mosque Haiyi Mosque, and cultivate a large number of Islamic scholars.

Taer Monastery

Taer Monastery, or Kumbum Monastery, is located 25 kilometers southwest of the Lushaer Town of Huangzhong County in Xining. Taer Monastery is activity center of Tibetan Buddhism in northwest China. It is renowned in China and Southeast Asia. Successive central governments are much respected Taer Monastery’s religious status.

Butter sculpture, murals and Barbola are known as “The Three Arts of Taer Monastery”. In addition, there are also preserving many Buddhist treasured classics and history, literature, philosophy, medicine, legislation and other aspects of academic monographs. Buddhist activities held annually "Four Dharma Assemblies”, which is bustling.

Taer Mosque is one of the six major monasteries of Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It is also one of the premier attractions in Qinghai Province and the national key cultural relic protection units.

Best Time to Visit Xining

It is recommended that you visit Xining from June to October. The best time to visit Xining will depend on your preference. With average temperature of 18℃-20℃, Xining is an ideal destination for avoiding the heat in summer, which is suitable for outdoor activities. In summer, the rape flowers near the Qinghai Lake are blooming, which is a picturesque picture with the blue lake, lush grass, blue sky and white clouds. Summer is also the best time to visit the large-scale rape flowers in Menyuan.

In spring, the flowers are blooming in Xining and there will be many birds at the Bird Island, which is suitable for the bird watching lovers.

Autumn is also a good time to visit Xining with pleasant weather and less crowds, which is suitable for mountain climbing and enjoying the autumn scenery of Xining.

How to Plan A Trip to Xining

Xining is usually the first stop of Qinghai Province. In Xining, you can see the blue sky and white clouds.

Classical Itinerary in Xining

Recommended Tour: 4 Days Xining Highlight Tour

Day 1 Arrival Xining

Transfer service to hotel

Day 2 Xining

Qinghai Lake, Sun Moon Mountain

Day 3 Xining

Kanbula National Forest Park, Lijia Gorge

Day 4 Departure Xining

Ta'er Temple, Transfer service to airport or train station

In Xining, the most iconic attractions are Taer Temple, Qinghai Lake, Caka Salt Lake, Dongguan Mosque and Sun Moon Mountain. In Qinghai Province, the Qarhan Salt Lake is also worth visiting. And you can choose one salt lake to visit.

Planning A Qinghai Tour with Gansu

Qinghai Province is near the Gansu Province. If you plan a trip to Qinghai, you can take the Gansu province into your consideration. In Lanzhou, you can visit the Gansu Provincial Museum, Baita Mountain Park and Labrang Temple. In Zhangye, you can explore the Rainbow Mountain(Colorful Danxia Scenic Area), Mati Temple and Giant Buddha Temple. In Dunhuang, you can see Mogao Grottoes, Crescent Spring and Singing Sand Dune, Yangguan Pass, Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark, Yumen Pass, etc. In Jiayuguan, you can witness the Jiayuguan Pass and Overhanging Great Wall. There are too many places to explore in Gansu.

Planning A Qinghai Tour with Tibet

Qinghai and Tibet compose of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. And Qinghai is also the choice for tourists who plan to travel to Tibet by train. Tourists can take train to Lhasa from Qinghai. And Tibet is a vast region with sacred mountains, holy lakes, temples and highland scenery.

In Lhasa, you can see the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Tibet Museum, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery and Norbulingka.

In Nyingchi, you can visit the peach blossoms, Basum Lake, Lulang Forest, Lulang Town and Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon.

In Shigaste, you can witness the Rongbuk Monastery, Tashilhunpo Monastery and Mount Everest.

In Shannan, you can see the Yamdrok Lake, Samye Monastery and Yumbulagang Palace.

In Nagqu, you can see the Namsto Lake.

In Ngari, you can see the Lake Manasarovar, Mount Kailash, Lhanagtso Lake, Bangong Lake, etc.

Related Infromation:

More Attractions in Xining: Xining Attractions

Highly Recommended Tours: Xining Tours