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Best Things to Do
Top 12 Best Things to Do in Xining [2025]
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Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum
4.8
/5
6046 reviews
8.3
From %1$s
Based on 49 reviews
Biological Park Area | 8.4 km from downtown
Phone 0971-5317881
Address: 36 Jing'er Rd, Chengbei Qu, Xining Shi, Qinghai Sheng, China, 810016
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
Highlights:
Tibetan music shows daily until 8/15
Open year-round, closed 3 days
Saved by 166 users5566 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
It is a scenic spot that is worth visiting. The thangka art is profound and extensive. Although it took almost 2 hours to visit it hastily, I can describe this visit as eye-shaking. I recommend it!
I can only describe it as shocking. There are so many items here. 60 yuan is really worth it. The "Chinese Tibetan Culture and Art Painting Grand View" is currently free. You can just buy the ticket for the South Hall.
The North Hall is the Medicine Culture Hall, which is basically the development of Tibetan medicine culture... Free, super value
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Kumbum Monastery
4.6
/5
16082 reviews
8.3
From HK$ 76.66
Based on 213 reviews
23.7 km from downtown
Phone 0971-2210188
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 203 users10073 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
As one of the six major monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism Gelu, Ta'er Temple is the birthplace of Master Zongkaba. It integrates the Han-Tibetan architectural style. The golden-topped white tower and the Jingyu interweave the sacred picture. The core building is magnificent and magnificent, and the large silver tower in the temple is shocking; The scene of the chanting of the chanting of the thousands of monks in the Great Jingtang is solemn, and the "three musts" of the oil flowers, murals and embroidery are even more artistic treasures. The piety of the believers and the ingenuity of the oil flowers monks are moving, but it is necessary to pay attention to the etiquette such as the prohibition of photography and solemn dress in the temple. Although the crowds are crowded in peak season and the 70 yuan ticket is slightly more expensive, the in-depth interpretation of the interpreter can multiply the value of the tour. This is not only a holy place of faith, but also a cultural immersion journey that spans 600 years.
Ta'er Temple, one of the six major temples of Tibetan Buddhism and Gelu. The temple is magnificent, the pagodas are standing, and the murals are beautifully embroidered. The devout believers are intertwined with tourists, the oil lamps are long, and the chanting is endless. The religious atmosphere is strong and the cultural heritage is deep, which is a great window to understand Tibetan Buddhism.
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Qinghai Lake
4.5
/5
6219 reviews
7.9
From HK$ 65.71
Based on 598 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone 0974-7553999
Address: Qinghai Lake, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
No.1 of Water Fun Attractions in Xining
Highlights:
Clockwise lake tour & Tibetan culture
Boat ride & scenic views
Saved by 157 users3380 positive reviews
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I chose Erlangjian Scenic Area where I can board the boat. It is very convenient to scan the code to buy a ticket and swipe my ID card to enter. Although there are many people in the scenic area, it is very large. In addition to being a bit crowded at the entrance, there is basically no trouble in queuing after entering the scenic area. There are KFC, hi tea, etc. in the scenic spot, and the price and taste are no different from the outside. I took a high-speed cruise to the lake center peninsula. Because the boat was very bumpy, it was not allowed to sightseeing on the deck during the driving process. It was choppy and there was a kind of fun to sail on the sea. Qinghai Lake was also very weather-friendly. The photos taken on cloudy days could not produce a little film.
From Laji Mountain down to Qinghai Lake, Qinghai Lake is a thin blue, the vision is snowy mountains, along the road there are white yak, sheep, earth-turners, forming a healing wilderness, so that the long drive is good to look, very good scenery.
No.
4
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Riyue Mountains (Sun and Moon Mountains)
4.4
/5
1243 reviews
7.7
Based on 27 reviews
64.2 km from downtown
Phone 0971-4040188
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 113 users673 positive reviews
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The Sun and Moon Mountain is 3520 meters above sea level. The scenery is very beautiful. There are many sheep on the mountain, as well as very large prayer flags. There is a temple for Princess Wencheng inside. Parking is free, and you can hug lambs and ride white yaks.
Xining Sun Moon Mountain is a place where natural scenery and cultural landscape complement each other. The steep peaks, lush forests, and mountain springs and waterfalls all show the wonders of nature. The Tang-Tibet Ancient Road, Princess Spring and other attractions carry a heavy history, and the legend of Princess Wencheng is moving. Climb to the top and overlook the magnificent scenery. It is indeed a good place for leisure, vacation and exploring history.
No.
5
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Xining Wildlife Park
4.5
/5
2260 reviews
7.6
From HK$ 32.86
Based on 8 reviews
4.3 km from downtown
Phone 0971-3922193
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
1401 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified User Reviews
I walked around for a long time without realizing it. The park is rich in species, with all kinds of birds and animals, including wild beasts, primates, large rare birds, etc. In addition, the reptile and amphibian oceanarium and panda require additional fees. It is recommended to leave about five or six hours to experience this park. Taking the shuttle bus will go very quickly, and it also costs an additional fee. In short, it is quite big and worth a visit.
Xining Zoo is a well-known zoo in China. I have seen related reports in Sanlian Weekly before. There are many characteristic animals in the northwest plateau area, such as manuls, wild donkeys, snow leopards, etc. This time I went there on a weekday morning. It was drizzling and there were few people. I went to the snow leopard pavilion (there was also a lynx in it) and saw enough. Then I went from the herbivore area to the wild animal area. Except for the manul hiding, I saw almost all the other animals. The animals here are well taken care of and quite lively.
No.
6
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Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Nature Museum
4.3
/5
506 reviews
6.5
From HK$ 59.14
Biological Park Area | 8.2 km from downtown
Phone 0971-5226789
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
351 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified User Reviews
Just by the four words "Qinghai-Tibet Plateau", it has irreplaceable uniqueness, attracting people to explore the magic of the plateau, so after being closed on the first day, we have to come again the next day, which is also the last stop of this trip to Xining. 24 exhibition halls of landform models/topography science/animal and plant specimens/Sanjiangyuan water samples, every step in the natural science popularization experience a sense of substitution, the spirituality of all things on the third pole of the roof of the world is majestic and magnificent.
No matter how smart and rare the Helena Morpho Butterfly is, or how full and sacred the Rhodiola rosea is, it is not as persistent and vivid as the exploration of Sanjiangyuan, and the scientific expedition to Mount Everest is so great and magnificent. The last two displays are particularly interesting
The museum is very large, rich in content, eye-opening, restoring the true history, popularizing humanities and geography, and improving the pattern! I admire the beautiful mountains and rivers of the motherland and the hard work and friendship of people of all ethnic groups. I like the beautiful mountains and rivers of the motherland!
No.
7
Plateau Pearl Sightseeing Tower
4.5
/5
299 reviews
6.2
From HK$ 31.76
2.6 km from downtown
Phone 0971-6246458
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
202 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified User Reviews
You can overlook most of Xining from the top. The view is great, and the price of climbing the tower is the lowest among the many TV towers I have visited. It is very cost-effective! But there is also a big flaw that this tower is on a mountain. If you want to get there, you have to climb a mountain or take a taxi like me to go up and down.
If you go to Qinghai, you can go up and take a look at the panoramic view of the city. The visual effect is very good and you can see everything at a glance. It is the pearl of the plateau. It feels very cool to go to Qinghai in summer. You can also eat various snacks at night. There are many delicious foods.
No.
8
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Qinghai Province Museum
4.4
/5
499 reviews
6.0
Based on 26 reviews
Commercial Lane | 2.5 km from downtown
Phone 0971-6111326
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
169 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified User Reviews
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.
The following is a review of Qinghai Provincial Museum: In terms of exhibition content - distinctive features: with exhibitions such as "Qinghai Historical Cultural Relics Exhibition", "Qinghai Archaeological Achievements Exhibition", "Qinghai Intangible Cultural Heritage Boutique Exhibition", it fully shows the historical development of Qinghai from the Paleolithic era to modern times. And rich in non-legacy culture. - Exquisite cultural relics: the collection of cultural relics is rich and varied, with gold and silverware, bronzeware, pottery and other 15,627 pieces (sets), such as Mingyongle bronze platinum Guanyin statue, exquisite craftsmanship, is the peak of ancient gold and bronze statue art; There are also a large number of colorful pottery pots with various shapes and decorations, reflecting the exchange of Qinghai and various cultures. Exhibition design - reasonable layout: presented in the "1+3" exhibition system, the theme of each exhibition hall is clear, and the layout is orderly according to historical development and cultural categories, which is convenient for audiences to visit and understand. - Exquisite design: the exhibition hall is exquisitely furnished, the glass of the exhibition cabinet is clean and transparent, the exhibition panels and text descriptions are designed, and the multimedia and interactive installations are just right, allowing the audience to better understand the cultural relics and history during the visit. Service level - Various explanation services: free volunteer explanation services, equipped with AR glasses, smart handheld guide, voice guide and other diversified explanation equipment. - Complete supporting facilities: there is a tourist service center, providing a mother and baby room, medical box, etc., considering the needs of different tourist groups; Wenchuang District sells color pottery series refrigerator stickers, Wenchuang ice cream and other cultural products, so that tourists can "take the culture home". Cultural communication - Actively carry out social education activities: organize social education activities such as "multi-color, Rongrong and Rongsheng-Entering Qinghai World Residence Ethnicity" series of courses, carry out mobile exhibitions into campus and museums to build "big thinking and politics class", and enhance the public's understanding of Qinghai culture. - Improve their influence: As the second rotating chairman unit of the Yellow River Basin Museum Alliance and the Yangtze River Basin Museum Alliance, organize and plan the alliance activities, and improve the voice and influence in the industry.
No.
9
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Dream of Paradise
4.7
/5
3429 reviews
5.9
From HK$ 260.64
19.2 km from downtown
Phone 0971-7533333
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
3179 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified User Reviews
I bought a double ticket for 238 yuan. When I went there, three or four projects were not open. I played all the projects that were open. I also watched the dolphin show in the aquarium. The aquarium was very rich and beautiful. Since it closed at 18:00, I didn't see the aquarium carefully, which was a bit regrettable. Water World was also open, which was included in the pass. I didn't go in because I didn't bring swimming trunks, but I didn't have time to play. Overall, it was worth it.
Xinhualian Tongmeng Park integrates amusement, animal and plant appreciation and knowledge popularization, providing convenient conditions for children to get in touch with and understand relevant animal and plant knowledge in an all-round way. It also has convenient transportation and parking, making it an ideal choice for family leisure and entertainment on weekends.
No.
10
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Dongguan Mosque
4.5
/5
1067 reviews
5.9
Based on 142 reviews
Huangguang/Dongguan Grand Mosque | 1.7 km from downtown
Phone 0971-8177126
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 110 users189 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.
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