Xining

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Xining (西宁; Xīníng and Sulang in Tibetan) is the capital of Qinghai province and the capital of Xining City District, a prefecture of Qinghai.

[edit] Understand

The large city of Xining acts as one of the major gateways to the Tibetan Plateau. It is an ancient highland city on the Yellow River which offers many scenic spots and historical sites. Although the city itself has a strong Islamic flavor, as it is home to many Hui people, you will start getting a more Tibetan feel as you move away from the city.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Xining Airport (IATA: XNN), located 15km south, southeast of the city, has flights to Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Golmud, Guangzhou, Lhasa, Shanghai, Shenyang, Urumqi, and Xian. The local CAAC office offers transport to/from the airport for 元10.

[edit] By train

  • Golmud - takes about 14-16 hours
  • Lanzhou - takes about 3-5 hours
  • Lhasa - takes about 26 hours

[edit] By bus

Long-Distance Bus Station Location: Jianguo Lu

  • Banma - takes about 2 days
  • Heimahe - takes about 7 hours
  • Lanzhou - takes about 5 hours
  • Maduo - takes about 11 hours
  • Tongren - takes about 5 hours
  • Xunhua - takes about 5 hours
  • Yushu - takes about 24 hours
  • Zhangye - takes about 9 hours
  • Dunhuang - takes about 20 hours

There are also buses for Golmud, Lhasa and Yinchuan at the western end of the square in front of the train station.

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

  • Beishansi - good view of the town
  • Northern Ch'An Monastery - see the Taoist Tulou (Rammed-earth Pavillion)
  • Southern Ch'An Monastery
  • Dongguan Monastery
  • Datong Laoye Mountain Forest Zone
  • Qinghai Provincial Museum - nice place for those curious about Qinghai's history and ethnic relationships

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit][add listing] Buy

The Banks in Xining only accepts forein creditcards, not debitcards. The only exeption is the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Xining's main minority groups provide a large portion of the food on offer. The Hui, a broad term for Chinese Muslims, serve up spicy noodles, lamb kabobs and roast naan. Tibetan food choices are concentrated around the train station, mostly small places the serve momos and noodles and seat guests on small coaches.

Western food options are very slim. There are two Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets and a Dico's near the city square, along with a locally run pizza buffet. On the fourth floor of the stadium, there is a Western-styled restaurant - the food here is quite expensive, so if on a budget you'll have wait until Lhasa or Lanzhou for a decent hamburger.

There is a restaurant area right next to the Shuijing Xiang Bazaar, in the center of the city, and throughout the evening and into the night there are many street stalls serving good food around Ximen and on the western side of Jianguo Lu.

[edit][add listing] Drink

  • A number of bars are located at the end of the city's main snack street. These tiny places each have only a dozen tables, and all offer extensive drink specials. Beer starts at ¥6 for a Tsingtao, but expensive imported liquor is also available. There is usually no cover charge.
  • New York Subway (纽约地铁), Nanguan Jie 57. An underground bar/club, loosely themed around the NY Subway system. It features a bar with good selection, as well as a small dance floor with a live DJ and lights. Booths and a foozball table are scattered around for those who would rather kick back and take in the atmosphere.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

  • There are dozens of small guesthouses near the train and long distance bus station. Look for the characters "招待所," which in this part of town are on every other building. Most places seem aimable to taking foreigners, and prices range from ¥10 in a four-room bunk to ¥100 for a deluxe double.
  • More guesthouses can be found around the town' West Gate, or Ximen.

[edit] Mid-range

  • Jianyin Hotel, 55 West Street, ☎ (0971)8261561 (fax: (0971)8261515).  edit

  • Xining Tower, 61 Jianguo Road, ☎ (0971)8419991 (fax: (0971)8419779).  edit

[edit] Splurge

[edit] Get out

  • Qinghaihu National Park (青海湖 - also called Lake Koko Nor) - this 5,694 km lake is the largest lake in China, and is located between Hainan and Haibei
  • Taersi Monestery (塔爾寺) - perfectly situated in the village of Huangzhong
  • Tu Minority Village - located at Weiyuanzhen Old Village, 32 km from Xining

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