https://https://au.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/xining/best-things-to-do/100001412044
Best Things to Do
Top 20 Best Things to Do in Xining [2025]
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Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum
4.8
/5
7408 reviews
8.3
From %1$s
Based on 49 reviews
Biological Park Area | 8.4 km from downtown
Phone +8609715317881
Address: 36 Jing'er Rd, Chengbei Qu, Xining Shi, Qinghai Sheng, China, 810016
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
Highlights:
Tibetan music shows daily until 8/15
Open year-round, closed 3 days
Saved by 211 users6847 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Tibetan Culture Museum is divided into the South and North Buildings. The North Building, which features Tibetan medicine, is free to visit, but reservations are required. The South Building, featuring thangkas, Tibetan clothing, and architecture, requires a ticket for 58 yuan.
I was torn between the Provincial Museum and this museum, but I finally chose it because it's relatively remote but popular. It was indeed a bit different from what I'd imagined. The museum itself isn't as large as I'd imagined, but the layout is quite novel. It's unmatched by other museums. The Tibetan Culture Museum showcases the history of the Tibetan people, their food, clothing, and Buddhist culture. The most impressive part is the 618-meter-long scroll. The Medical Museum explores the wonders of Tibetan medicine, bloodletting, and the three types of body constitutions. These differ significantly from traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine. It's definitely worth a visit. Another thing to note is the self-guided cultural tour player, which I don't think is necessary. It depends on your preference. A quick tour took me over two hours. The scroll was mostly just for checking in, and I couldn't quite understand the content. If you have more time, you can listen to the guide. It covers Tibetan knowledge of life, the universe, and everything in it.
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Kumbum Monastery
4.6
/5
16967 reviews
8.3
From AED 36.04
Based on 213 reviews
23.7 km from downtown
Phone +8609712210188
Address: No. 56 Jinta Road, Huangzhong County, Xining City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
Highlights:
Unique hilltop temple complex
Butter sculptures & Thangka masterpieces
Saved by 236 users9457 positive reviews
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Ta'er Monastery is less than 30 kilometers from the city center and is accessible by bus. Construction of the entrance road began earlier this year and was still not completed as of September. It is recommended to take a taxi to the visitor center. It is recommended to visit the Ta'er Monastery area with a qualified guide who will provide insights into the history of Tibetan religion. A tour should take approximately three to four hours.
We drove directly to Ta'er Temple from the cliff in the northern section of Qinghai Lake. That section of the road is a winding mountain road, which is actually quite difficult to drive. However, with the efforts of our comrades, we arrived at Ta'er Temple at 4:30 in the afternoon. It turned out to be just in time. We quickly hired a tour guide, Miss Zhuoma, to take us to quickly check in at each main hall, especially at the last moment we entered the main hall with the Big Golden Buddha. Ta'er Temple is a very famous temple in Tibetan Buddhism and the birthplace of Master Tsongkhapa. As a tourist from Beijing and a traveler who has written about the tour of Lama Temple, I have an inexplicable feeling for Ta'er Temple. Master Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Yellow Sect, who was mentioned many times in the travel notes of Lama Temple, and the design of the four halls of Tibetan Buddhist temples all seemed to appear vividly in front of me, as well as the calligraphy, embroidery, and butter flowers. I was overwhelmed and felt like I was tracing my roots. The most important thing: when you come to Ta'er Temple, you must hire a tour guide to understand this temple.
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Qinghai Lake
4.5
/5
6542 reviews
7.9
From AED 37.07
Based on 598 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609747553999
Address: Qinghai Lake, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
No. 1 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Xining
Highlights:
Clockwise lake tour & Tibetan culture
Boat ride & scenic views
Saved by 184 users3492 positive reviews
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The boarding point is at the passenger center. After entering the main waiting room, go straight inside and there is a separate room. The bus booked on Ctrip is the same as the official bus. You need to ask the staff for your seat number. The tour lasts 3 hours, arriving at Qinghai Lake at 11:20 and returning at 2:30.
Qinghai Lake offers beautiful scenery and fresh air. Despite its high altitude, altitude sickness is minimal. The driveway along the lake is beautifully constructed. The Erlangjian Scenic Area is less interesting, with its man-made landscapes that feel out of harmony with the natural environment.
No.
4
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Riyue Mountains (Sun and Moon Mountains)
4.4
/5
1425 reviews
7.8
From AED 55.60
Based on 27 reviews
64.2 km from downtown
Phone +8609714040188
Address: 40 km southwest of Wuyuan County, Xining City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Diverse landscapes & fluttering prayer flags
Yak rides & highland photography
Saved by 130 users785 positive reviews
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Traveling with a dog, the Sun and Moon Mountain Scenic Area is pet-friendly. There are beautiful prayer flags, prayer wheels, and the story of Princess Wencheng. There is an open grassland where little sheep are grazing leisurely.
Sun and Moon Mountain, a plateau landmark interwoven with history and culture, bears witness to the millennia-long fusion of Han and Tibetan cultures. Once a key point on the ancient Tang-Tibet Road, the legend of Princess Wencheng throwing a precious mirror here to transform the mountain imbues every rock with a rich history. Today, excessive commercialization is impacting this crucial point in the Qilian Mountains.
No.
5
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Xining Wildlife Park
4.5
/5
3100 reviews
7.7
From AED 15.45
Based on 8 reviews
4.3 km from downtown
Phone +8609718149850
Address: No. 9 Xingzhi Road, Chengxi District, Xining City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No. 1 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Xining
Highlights:
Simulated alpine rocks for snow leopards
Wildlife viewing & educational experience
2086 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified user reviews
Although I was a bit disappointed not to see any snow leopards, it was a truly unique place. I was lucky enough to see a desert cat and a safari, so it was worth the trip. The free-range peacock garden allowed me to get up close and personal with the peacocks. The 30 yuan park was super cost-effective! (PS: Don't go to the aquarium. It cost me 50 yuan, but there were so few animals inside. I could walk around it in 10 minutes, so it wasn't worth it.) Just wandering around the zoo outside was great value.
emmmm The scenic area planning is not very reasonable, the paid shuttle bus is only available once. If you miss it now, you can only walk. Snow leopards, lynxes and caracals are not necessarily seen. It's very random.
No.
6
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Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Nature Museum
4.2
/5
545 reviews
6.4
From AED 27.80
Biological Park Area | 8.2 km from downtown
Phone +8609715226789
Address: No. 21 Jinger Road, Chengbei District, Xining City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No. 2 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Xining
Highlights:
Hands-on exhibits & interactive zone
High-tech & plateau ecosystem restoration
344 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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The location is convenient, the atmosphere is warm, and the facilities are clean and comfortable. It is an ideal choice for backpackers and young travelers. It is cost-effective. The owner cleans the place very quickly and cleanly. I recommend it to everyone!
The museum has quite a large collection, with more animal specimens than the Natural Resources Museum. The display of water samples collected from all over the country is quite impressive. If you want a free visit, make a reservation at the Natural Resources Museum. If you want to visit the Natural History Museum after visiting the Tibetan Culture Museum, this is the right place, just across the street. You can explore the entire museum in one to two hours.
No.
7
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Plateau Pearl Sightseeing Tower
4.5
/5
310 reviews
6.1
From AED 14.93
2.6 km from downtown
Phone +8609716246458
Address: No. 7 Xishan 1st Lane, Xining City
Recommended sightseeing time: 3 hours
No. 1 of Night Attractions in Xining
Highlights:
188-foot tower: Xining's iconic landmark
188m tower overlooks Xining
194 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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Also known as "Puning Pearl", it was built with the aid of Shanghai Pudong New Area, and is named after Pudong and Xining.
Puning Pearl is a multifunctional sightseeing tower integrating radio and television transmission, urban planning exhibition, and tourism. It is located on the top of Xishan Mountain. From the tower, you can overlook the night view of the entire Xining City.
I recently visited the Plateau Peatl sightseeing tower, and the views were absolutely breathtaking 🤩! From the top, I could see the entire city of Xining, Qinghai, stretching out before me like a vibrant tapestry. Reaching the tower was a bit of a journey, but it was completely worth the effort 🚖. The panoramic views from the highest point provided a unique perspective on the city's layout and surrounding landscapes. I highly recommend adding this spot to your itinerary if you're ever in the area! 🏞️ #XiningAdventures #PlateauPeatl #QinghaiTourism #CityViews #TravelGoals #ScenicSpot
No.
8
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Qinghai Province Museum
4.4
/5
507 reviews
6.1
Based on 26 reviews
Commercial Lane | 2.5 km from downtown
Phone +8609716111326
Address: No. 58 Xiguan Street, Chengxi District, Xining City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
360° view of Qinghai's nature & history
360° panoramic view of Xining
161 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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To go to a city, first interview the museum. Qinghai Provincial Museum is located in Xining City, is the largest comprehensive museum in Qinghai Province, a national-level museum. The museum has more than 100,000 cultural relics, covering prehistoric pottery, bronzeware, Tibetan Buddhist art, ethnic folk cultural relics, etc., especially the Neolithic Majiayao culture pottery, Han Dynasty "wolf and cattle" gold medal decorations. The exhibition is based on the "Qinghai Historical Cultural Relics Exhibition" and "Qinghai Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition", and systematically displays the historical context and multi-ethnic characteristics of Qinghai's multicultural blend. The architecture integrates modern and regional styles and is an important window to understand Qinghai's history and culture. Free open.
Qinghai Museum, as a provincial museum, still has some things worth slowly appreciating. The treasure of the museum, the dancing colored pottery basin, is very exquisite. In front of the museum is a large square, where many citizens carry out cultural and entertainment activities.
No.
9
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Dongguan Mosque
4.4
/5
1072 reviews
5.9
Based on 142 reviews
Huangguang/Dongguan Grand Mosque | 1.7 km from downtown
Phone +8609718170489
Address: No. 31, Dongguan Street, Chengdong District, Xining City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 hour
Highlights:
Watch rituals & learn religion
Temple illuminated by magical green lights
Saved by 124 users178 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Dongguan Grand Mosque in Xining City is a rare and solemn building. The nine gold-plated regular script characters "Xining Budongguan Grand Mosque" are inscribed on the middle door lintel, and the inside and outside of the other door lintels are inscribed with gold-plated Arabic classic quotations. The "Hundred-Character Praise" inscribed by Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, for mosques across the country is preserved in the temple and is embedded in the wall of the middle door, which is worth seeing.
Dongguan Mosque is a must-visit place when visiting Xining. There is a very lively market nearby that is loved by the locals. They sell lamb and beef skewers, which are freshly cut, skewered and grilled, and the taste is great.
No.
10
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Dream of Paradise
4.7
/5
3445 reviews
5.7
From AED 101.93
19.2 km from downtown
Phone +8609717533333
Address: Xinhualian International Tourism City, No. 600-17, Weijiazhuang Village, Toba Town, Langzhong County, Xining City
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
No. 3 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Xining
Highlights:
Whale & dolphin show nearby
Silk Road Town & Fantasy Forest
3185 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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Xining's Family Treasure! A Day of Fun at Xinhualian Tongmeng Park
Bringing my kids to Xining's Xinhualian Tongmeng Park completely blew away my expectations of Northwest theme parks! As a comprehensive park offering one-stop family fun, it's truly worth adding to your Xining travel bucket list.
The most stunning attraction was Xining Ocean World. As the world's highest aquarium, you can see lively penguins, spectacular dolphin shows, and the unique Qinghai Lake naked carp display on the plateau. The children's eyes lit up the entire time, and the underwater performances were truly captivating. A ride on the 108-meter "Eye of Qinghai" Ferris wheel in the land park is a must-do. When it lights up in the evening, you'll get a panoramic view of the park, creating stunning photos. The thrilling tornado pendulum and the immersive "Arabian Nights" dark ride offer fun for both adults and children.
If you're traveling with young children, Tongmeng Kingdom is an absolute paradise. With nearly 8,000 square meters of indoor space and safe, fun facilities, children can enjoy a long day of fun. The fully heated Tongmeng Water World is sun- and cold-resistant, and the wave pool and lazy river are fantastic, perfect for parent-child interaction.
The Silk Road Town within the park is unique, featuring miniature replicas of buildings from 18 countries. While taking photos and checking in, you can also educate your children about their culture. If you're hungry, head to the Ethnic Food Street, where you can sample specialties from 56 ethnic groups all in one place, allowing you to experience the flavors of each region without having to travel too far.
The only caveat is that the plateau's ultraviolet rays are strong, so remember to wear sunscreen. The temperature difference between morning and evening can be significant, so bring a light jacket. The fireworks show is only held from Tuesdays to Saturdays, so plan your time well in advance. Overall, whether you're traveling with children or friends, this place has something for everyone. It's a fulfilling and enjoyable day out, and I'll definitely be back next time I'm in Xining!
- Family-Friendly Experience: The park features rides like a pirate ship and a carousel, perfect for young children. It also boasts Qinghai's first large-scale indoor children's playground, the Dream Kingdom, and dolphin shows at the Ocean World, ensuring children have fun and making it a great destination for families.
- Extensive Attractions: Featuring attractions like the Kunlun Tower, Qinghai's tallest and fastest bungee jumping platform, and an indoor version of the Chaka Salt Lake rafting system, as well as thrilling rides like a giant pendulum and roller coasters, the park caters to a variety of visitors.
- Diverse Dining: The park's food court is a paradise for carb lovers, offering popular specialties like Qinghai traditional yogurt, dog diaper cakes, and yak skewers.
- Excellent Scenery and Performances: The evening features dazzling fireworks displays and bonfire-based Guozhuang dances, creating a delightful atmosphere. Furthermore, the park's diverse architectural styles make for excellent photo opportunities.
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