Xining Activities
Xining has almost a completely different approach to entertainment and night life than other cities in the country. It is still very limited. In fact, a lot of buses are already off the road before the clock hits 9 or 10:00 p.m. When you’re in Beijing or Shanghai, usually, it means the night is still young. Besides, most of the tourist attractions, the main reasons why people go to Xining, are closed before 7:00 p.m.
That doesn’t mean, however, you have nowhere else to go, and the roads are basically abandoned after dusk. Xining continuously comes alive with its festivals at around 6:00 p.m. until late into the evening, some restaurants, cafes, and bars welcome guests with open arms.
Festivals
The festivals in Xining are influenced by a lot of things, such as their spiritual beliefs and the culture of the people. Because of the closeness of Xining to Tibet, some minorities have also built their homes here. There are also several Muslim families currently living here.
Every year, four assemblies are held in its grand Buddhist monastery known as Ta’er. It is happens twice before June and twice before December. The first assembly shall happen during the first few days of lunar January (their calendar is still based on the one used by the Chinese). It lasts for 10 days, during which the participants perform the Devil Dance or showcase a very interesting butter sculpture. Yes, it’s truly butter that is made from yak. It’s quite thick, and since the climate in the region is cold, it doesn’t really melt right away. Around this time, hundreds of visitors flock the area to see these sculptures, which are patterned in various shapes including birds and Buddha (which you see a lot in Xining). For all the other assemblies, almost the same activities are performed. Aside from dancing, the participants may also pray in the temples or chant while going around the monastery.
Another kind of festival you can watch is the Flowers. This doesn’t really refer to a certain type of flower or the celebration of flowers. Instead, it’s very similar to the festivals held in the monastery, though this one is celebrated in Wufeng Temple. It’s also practiced in other areas of Qinghai Province. The holiday is more related to songs and singing, so participants are expected to sing along, as well as listen or enjoy the haunting melodies.
A lot of the Tibetans are nomads, and they usually horses to help them move around. It isn’t surprising therefore if they will have their own horse racing festival. It is normally celebrated around July 25. One of the highlights is, of course, the racing of horses, though other animals such as the yak may also be competing with one another. Others are engaged in tugs of war. Food and drinks are overflowing.
Western China also has its own folk song festival, with more than a hundred singers including those in Xining. It’s a well-funded affair and the competition is broadcasted on the television. The idea is to let the different ethnic groups showcase their folk songs.
Markets
When you’re in Xining, you’ll discover that food is basically everywhere. There are large and small restaurants. Stations, especially those of buses, are crowded with food stalls. Department stores or shopping centers can also be home to a number of dining establishments. The great thing is that food can still be around even at night.
To be in Xining is also to explore the different night markets, one of which is the Shujing Ally. It’s the most popular food street in the area, as it’s composed of over a thousand stalls. A lot of them are offer local snacks or hearty dishes, but it’s also not impossible to find food and even sellers who have come from Henan, Gansu, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Another option is the Mujia Jie, where you can find delectable noodle soups. These soups are incredibly filling even if they’re served in a small bowl since the ingredients are often meat based.
Where to Go for the Ultimate Night Life
You have to understand that Xining isn’t really that cosmopolitan and that a lot of people prefer to be in cafes or restaurants to eat and drink than to really party. But just in case you’re looking for that, you can find some good choices in the area, which include the following:
88 Jiuba 88: This is also known as 88. It’s basically a modern dance club that plays some of the latest tunes, especially cantopop. They also have some live performances. Since they’re trendier than the other clubs, they are often visited by foreigners. This may also explain why a number of their drinks and food are quite expensive.
New York Subway: From its name alone, you know that this is more Western than the other types of clubs. It is currently owned by American, that’s why. It follows the same look and feel as the night clubs found in the United States as well as in Europe. It plays techno, house, and other types of new music. It also has its own spinner and DJ.
BarBar: If dancing and music aren’t exactly your thing, perhaps BarBar is. It’s a beer joint that is located close to Soho. It opens from 7 in the evening to 2:30 in the morning.
Take note that the bars and clubs in Xining aren’t extremely huge. Some of them may be composed of only a few tables and chairs. During on peak season, therefore, these places can get easily filled up, and you may have to wait until the next day to get into them.
Theaters
There are a couple of well-known theaters in Xining. These are People’s Theater in Xi Dajie and Jiefang Theater in 9 Jiefang. These theaters are mostly for movies, though they can also be transformed to showcase live cultural performances including opera.
Other Entertainment Options
Shopping in Xining includes rummaging for wholesale and in small boutiques that populate the city. Don’t miss out on checking the traditional medicines found in markets.