Xining Travel Guide

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Xining Overview

People of the bustling cities may find peace, fresh air and idyllic surroundings on the Qinghai-Tibet highland. The fluffy white clouds, purely blue sky, vista of vast grassland on which flocks of sheep and herds of yaks are grazing, creates a sanctuary free from the turmoil of modern cities. On this mystical, unspoiled land, travelers will find Xining-capital of Qinghai Province.

Situated at the northeast of Qinghai province, Xining lies at the junction of the Lanzhou-Qinghai and the Qinghai-Tibet railway with good transportation. Bordering the harsh Tibet highland, Xining is 2,260 meters above sea level but climate there is much better than that of Tibet. Enjoying a good location surrounded by high mountains, the city has a relatively comfortable climate with neither bone-chilling winter nor sweltering summer and the annually temperature there is about 6 centigrade. Summer in Xining is an ideal season for tourists who can enjoy fresh and crisp weather.

Xining was once an important stop on the century-old Silk Road. The boom of the Silk Road in the Han Dynasty is a major factor for the city's rise. But the city's historical role gradually declined as the trade route fell into disuse. In addition, Xining is  the birthplace of Zong Geba who is the founder of Huangism (the branch of the Tibetan Buddhism). Xining's importance in the old trade route means that it has a lot of historical sites. In and around Xining, visitors can find the Ta'er Monastery (Kumbum), one of the two most important Tibetan monasteries outside Tibet, Dongguan Great Mosque, one of four mosques in northwest China, Beichan Monastery, the second largest hanging monastery in China.

Xining also provide access to some natural attractions with superlative beauty including the Qinghai Lake, the largest inland salt-water lake in China, the Bird Island on the west shore of the Qinghai Lake, the Sun and Moon Mountain, expansive prairies.

The recently finished Qinghai-Tibet railway marks a new era for Xining's significant role in tourism. As an important stop along the Qinghai-Tibet track, Xining will be a vital stop for travelers to Tibet. Xining's similarity with Tibet in weather allows Xining an "adapted stop" for visitor who will then gradually adapt themselves to the harsh weather condition in Tibet.

Administrative Division:  Xining has jurisdiction over four municipal districts( Chengzhong District, Chengdong District, Chengxi District and Chengbei District), two counties( Huangyuan County and Huangzhong County) and one autonomous county( the Datong Hui and Tu Nationalities Autonomous County ). It covers a total area of 7,665.23 square kilometers with a population of 1,790,000. At the end of 2001, within its jurisdiction were 23 streets, 26 towns, 26 villages, 6 autonomous townships of ethnic minorities, 128 communities, 28 residents committees and 926 village committees.

Area Code: 0971

Postal Code: 810000

Code of Administrative Division: 630100