Xining Travel Guide - Brief Information on Xining

Xining, the wonderful capital of the Qinghai Province is famous for its diversity and sits on the eastern edge of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This ancient highland city acts as a gateway to Tibet and was once a commercial hub on the ancient 'Silk Road'. Xining that welcomed people from a myriad of cultures for centuries now welcomes travelers from all over the world to taste its unique flavor.

Xining is not only the capital but also the political, economic, and cultural center of the Qinghai province. It is also the largest city in the area. Xining is blessed with excellent natural resources including mineral deposits and extensive farmland that is mainly used to cultivate wheat, corn, fruit, and vegetables and breed livestock.

The best time to visit Xining is in the summer, when the cool desert temperatures bring travelers a relief from the heat. It is for this reason that Xining is often called as the ‘Summer Resort Capital of China’. Tourists coming to enjoy the scenery will not be disappointed as the main tourist spots such as Qinghai Lake, Bird Island and Riyue Mountain (Sun and Moon) are enchanting. Though many of the surrounding mountain ranges are permanently covered in snow, winter in Xining is not as harsh as it appears to be.

The city holds many ancient relics, and has the world famous Islamic, Buddhist and Taoist structures that display a combination of architectural styles. Ta'er Monastery, Beichan Temple and Dongguan Mosque are the three important structures a visitor should not miss.

Xining is home to a series of festivals that go on throughout the year. The most eye-catching festival is the Tulip Festival in May, which is mainly conducted to promote Xining tourism. Over four million tulip plants of over 50 varieties provide a stunning backdrop to cultural displays. By legend, Qinghai is the birthplace of the tulip and new tulip species are reported to have found in the mountainous regions in recent years.

Partially due to its ethnically diverse population, Xining has a wonderful array of foods to offer. Xining Jiaotongxixiang is a good place for any visitor to begin their culinary exploration. This street is lined with restaurants and something or the other can tempt even the pickiest of eaters. Large numbers of ethnic Hui live in and around Dongguan Street, which is why it became famous for Hui cuisine. Meals are prepared according to Islamic rules and using flavors traditional to this area.  A visitor who wants to taste a more variety of Qinghai food may want to head up to Shuijing Lane in Ximenkou. Known locally as ''hundred-flavor-street'', it is a place where a visitor can try all the major dishes of the province. The famous Liangfen (bean Jelly), Fengwo Liji (lamb tenderloin) Jinyu Facai (pork wrapped in Nostoc and served in the shape of goldfish) are the dishes that are not to be missed. For the more adventurous western explorer, Danbai Chongcao Ji (a medicinal dish made of chicken, Chinese caterpillar fungus and eggs) is worth a try.

The traditional medicines of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are still used and widely available in Xining. Dongchong Xiacao (Chinese Caterpillar Fungus) and Snow lotus are extremely popular. However, trade of pilose antler, the most prized of the local medicines was made illegal several years ago, and purchasing the powdered horn should be avoided. To be on the safer side it is better to buy an attractive piece of local embroidery as well as the traditional clasp knives for keepsake. The area is also known for the excellent wool of good quality. You can find a variety of woolen fabrics in abundance at any of the local shopping districts, such as Dashizi, Ximengkou, Dongguan Street, or Xiaoqiao.