Xining's Top Attractions
Xining is one of the most populated and progressive areas in the Tibetan plateau. But more than its more modern buildings and factories, it offers a wide variety of beautiful, enriching tourist attractions like the following:
Ta’er Monastery
Ta’er Monastery (塔尔寺), also known as Kumbum Monastery, is located in Qinghai Province, in the county of Huangzhong, which is more than 20 kilometers from Xining proper. It was built mainly for the Gelugpa or the Yellow Hat Sect, a kind of Buddhism that is popular in Tibet. Hence, the monastery is more than a home for the monks; it’s also one of the sacred grounds in the region. Although no one can truly trace how the sect was formed or how the monastery came about, it has been around for around 400 years.
The monastery was designed to be basic. It shall be composed of a stupa and a temple. However, over time, it covered more areas until it has become a very huge compound that spans to 36 acres. The architectural style of the buildings is largely inspired by that of Tibet: first, it’s built on the slope of the mountains, and two, there’s a great use of bright colors and the grandness of the halls.
With more than 50 halls, the monastery offers a lot of very interesting ones. These include the Butter Sculpture, called as such because the artworks are made mainly of yak butter. They are, however, created during the coldest part of the winter season, which means they can change every year. There’s also the Great Hall of the Golden Roof with its floral patterns and gates that come in different colors.
Ta’er Monastery has endured many problems including a war that destroyed a good portion of it. It’s only been recently that it has been renovated to how it’s supposed to look the first time. Aside from visiting the various halls, one can also watch the regular debates among the students as the monastery is also made up of collages. Its grounds are also common venues for different festivals.
Address: Huangzhong County, Qinghai Province
Admission Fee: CNY 30
Operating Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How to Get There: take a bus from the Xining Gymnasium. You can also ride the special line beginning at Xining Railway Station.
Qinghai Lake
The Qinghai Lake (青海湖) or Lake Kokonor is one of the most celebrated natural attractions in Xining. It is a very large lake thatis located in the middle of Haibei and Hainan provinces. The waters are described to be both alkaline and saline. But it’s more known for its deep blue color. The lake itself covers more than 60 miles and the province where it belongs to is said to be the main source of the three great rivers that flow around Asia. The lake itself is connected to more than 20 streams and small rivers.
Although the lake itself is a beautiful attraction and is home to different types of fish, it’s the islands that form part of it that have gained worldwide recognition. It is where you can find Bird Island, which is a perfect area for avid bird watchers; the island has become one of the most important routes for these birds during migration. You can also find Mahadeya, which is a Buddhist island. It is a massive piece of land that takes over 20 days to circumnavigate by foot. Before, it cannot be reached during summer, only on winter when the lake freezes over. Throughout the year, though, the climate remains quite cool because of its very high altitude. Today it has become a pilgrimage site. The lake had been well-known ever since the inception of the Han Dynasty.
Travelers can also delight in the ever-changing backdrops around the lake. During spring and summer, the fields are coated with green and livestock can be found grazing—it’s an excellent picture of the simple lifestyle of the Tibetans. They can also pass through deserts and snow-capped mountains on the way to the lake. They may also visit the old road walked by the Tang-tubo or even ride a yak.
Address: Gangcha County, Xining
Admission Fee: CNY 50 (October 16 to April 15), CNY 100 (April 16 to October 15)
Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
How to Get There: Several coaches pass by the scenic area from the coach station in Xining.
Bird Island
The Qinghai Lake is already majestic regardless of the season, but it sparkles even more during the spring and summer seasons, once the ice that covers the waters has already melted. It is during this time that thousands upon thousands of birds would drop by the area to feed and even to lay eggs.
The Bird Island (鸟岛) is found on the northwest portion of the lake. It sits very close to the Buhahe Delta. Different kinds of birds from around Asia consider the island as its home for a few weeks as it has become a very essential migration route for them. The lake, nevertheless, is very ideal. There’s plenty of grass, as well as water. The waters are also teeming with fish, which can be a source of food for a number of them. At the height of their migration, the total number of birds, which can include seagulls and cormorants, can swell to around 10,000. The island is around a kilometer only, but it is subdivided into two sections. One of these is the Haixi Shan, also known as the Egg Island, since it’s a favorite spot for the birds to lay their eggs.
The best month to visit the island is from March to the early weeks of June. The peak, meanwhile, is somewhere around April to May. The lake is highly accessible, and the trip to the island can just be a day trip. Nevertheless, there are accommodation options around. The island as well as the lake is also located in a high altitude, so it’s possible to suffer from altitude sickness the longer you stay here. Bird Island is also now a nature’s reserve, so you may no longer be allowed to touch the birds or transport the eggs, though you’re still welcome to visit and take photos.
Address: northwest of Qinghai Lake, around Buhahe Delta, Qinghai
Admission Fee: CNY 60 (August 21 to April 19), CNY 110 (April 20 to August 20)
Operating Hours: 7:10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
How to Get There: Take a sightseeing bus from Xining bus station.
Dongguan Mosque
It seems that a lot of people aren’t aware of the widespread presence of Islam in China. A proof of that is the Dongguan Mosque (东关清真大寺), one of the biggest and the grandest in the country. The mosque, which spans over 13,000 square meters, has undergone several renovations after being destroyed too many times as well. It is composed of different areas such as the prayer room, a college, and a dormitory for the students.
What makes the mosque outstanding is the great combination of Chinese and Islamic culture and architectural styles. It features very tall minarets and domes with white and green shades. The entrance, however, displays what could be small replicas of the typical golden Chinese pagodas and towers. The courtyard and the praying area are very huge that they can accommodate thousands of people at one time. Unlike the Tibetan places of worship, the mosque allows photography and accepts both male and female travelers, although the latter are not allowed to stay in the prayer room. Moreover, there are ideal times to roam around. The schedules are posted at the front gate, near the ticketing office. Some of the festivals held around the mosque are Corban and Jumu’ah. The former is called a feast of sacrifice, and thus homes engage in slaughtering of different types of animals such as sheep and oxen. The festival also includes a bathing process, wherein after the bath the Muslims will then tidy their clothing.
Very near the mosque is the Muslim Quarter, which offers an incredible walk especially if you’re into shopping. The markets are composed of stalls that sell affordable jewelry and clothing. There are also food shops that serve halal food around.
Address: Dongguan Main Street, Chengdong District, Xining, China
Admission Fee: CNY 30
Operating Hours: 8:00 a.m. to noon, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How to Get There: Take a bus with nos. 1 to 3.
Northern Buddhist Temple
Buddhism has played a huge role in the religious philosophy and culture of China. This also explains the presence of too many temples in the country. However, some of them are so incredibly unique they are more than just places of worship; they are now internationally acclaimed tourist attractions. These include Northern Buddhist Temple (北禅寺).
The temple is one of the first places of worship in the complex. It measures almost 7 acres in size. Getting there, though, is a huge challenge. Visitors need to pass through planks that are connected on the side of the mountain. This is because the temple itself sits on the Northern Mountain, which is also a known fault line. The temple is made up of over 80 caverns that are created right on the face of the mountain rock. It also used to have two large Buddhas, but only one remained after the other had been destroyed by wear and tear thorugh so many years.
If you can get past the fear and reach the temple, you will be greatly rewarded for your efforts. You will see a captivating view of the clouds. You can go higher up the mountain until you can reach the Ningshou Pagoda, which is made up of a green brick and shaped like a hexagon. This part of the mountain is usually described as misty. When it’s about to rain, the movements of the clouds make the entire complex appear and disappear right before your eyes. The walls of the caverns are also adorned with sculptures and frescoes that are so ancient they already regarded as historical relics of the country. Despite the difficulty in reaching the temple, it still becomes populated during the Double Ninth Festival when visitors can drop paper littered with Chinese names for horses and deer.
Address: North Hill, Xining
Admission Fee: RMB 10
Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
How to Get There: Take a buses with nos. 21, 107, 84, 19, and 80.
Sun and Moon Mountain
The Sun and Moon Mountain (日月山) has become majestic and mysterious for hundreds of years, mainly because of the story that surrounds it. The legend also explains the things that you can see when you’re in the vicinity. Based on the tales of the old, a king decided to betroth his daughter to the son of the other nearby nation in order to establish a good relationship. When the princess set forth, his father gave him a mirror that allowed her to see her hometown if in case she missed it. While on the journey, she suffered from terrible homesickness and greatly cried. When the tears fell, they became the Daotang River. The princess didn’t want her father to know about her grief, so she ordered the heavens to change the river’s direction. Today the river is the only one that flows from west to east in China. It also goes straight to Qinghai Lake. She also let go of her mirror so she would not be tempted to look back. This then became the sun and moon. In honor of her, you can find two pavilions at opposite ends of the mountain. The story is also painted on the walls of the mountain, which has an altitude of no less than 11,000 feet above sea level.
In reality, the mountain has been a well-known and influential route especially during the Silk Road period. Many think it’s the only way to travel from anywhere in the Tibetan plateau to Qinghai. The Yue Pavilion (Moon Pavilion) holds a lot of information about Tibetan culture such as their religion and medicine. A tour can include a visit on these pavilions and a look on the Daotang River. The mountain is rich in grasslands especially during the summer. However, the russet mountaintop doesn’t grow any.
Address: Riyue Tibetan Country, Huangyan County, Xining
Admission Fee: CNY 40
Operating Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How to Get There: Since there’s no direct bus to take you to the mountain, you can take a taxi or join a tour.