https://https://au.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/xining/best-things-to-do/10072379000000
Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do near Xining [2025]
Show All Photos
Chaka Salt Lake
4.3
/5
16524 reviews
8.7
From THB 271.99
Based on 94 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609778246999
Address: Chakayan Lake, Ulan, Haixi, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Take a Train to the Lake to See the Pure Salt Lake
Train ride to pristine salt lake
Saved by 340 users10778 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Chaka Salt Lake is so beautiful, and the Sky Mirror is well-deserved. I bought the train ticket on Ctrip and avoided the queue on site. It is very convenient to visit by train. It stops at every station and there are explanations on the train. In short, I highly recommend it.
Taking the train saved us a lot of walking, especially considering the lack of oxygen in the plateau. The train stopped at every station, making it very convenient. We rode directly to the final stop and were lucky enough to see the stunning sunset over Chaka Salt Lake.
Show All Photos
Lanzhou Danxia Geological Park
4.5
/5
2100 reviews
8.1
From THB 181.33
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609312123999
Address: 甘肃省兰州市永登县树屏镇杏花村
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
Geological & rural tourism destination
Danxia trail: 1.6 miles views
Saved by 205 users1814 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Ink and Wash Danxia was one of the surprises of this self-driving tour from Lanzhou to Dunhuang. Because I didn't want to join the crowds at Zhangye's Colorful Danxia, and also wanted to save time for the Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon in Zhangye, I chose to go to the Ink and Wash Danxia. The scenic area is well designed, the route is clear, and the scenery is really beautiful; the layers of minerals of different colors are indeed more layered and diverse than the beauty of a simple Danxia landform.
For those who have visited both Ink and Wash Danxia, let me share my thoughts. Ink and Wash Danxia was a pleasant surprise, with fewer crowds and a better experience. It's even more interesting than the Seven-Color Danxia. You can drive your own electric cart, and there's a Danxia trail to hike, not just the viewing platform. It's a better value, and you don't have to take an in-depth tour to get the same great experience. We took the scenic area's bus from the visitor center to the Ancient Silk Road, then transferred to a sightseeing bus directly to Danding Lansheng. After checking in, we returned the same way we came. We rented an electric cart and drove to the hot air balloon platform, then rafted to the Nine-Color Danxia. The rafting was incredibly exciting and fun, and the ride was long, winding from top to bottom. The trail leading up from the end of the rafting route is the highlight of the entire Ink and Wash Danxia area—a must-do. From the Nine-Color Danxia, we took a sightseeing bus back to the hot air balloon platform, rented an electric cart again, and returned to the Ancient Silk Road before taking the bus back to the visitor center. 20 yuan included all round-trip transportation, which was a real steal, considering I've been on rides that cost 5 or 10 yuan per trip. Some say renting an electric car for 28 yuan for just a 1-kilometer trip isn't worth it, but that's the joy of the Ink Wash Danxia. It depends on your perspective. You're not allowed to walk on the roads at Zhangye's Colorful Danxia; buses take you directly to the viewing platform. Compared to the in-depth tour of Colorful Danxia I bought, I think the Ink Wash Danxia tour is more cost-effective and offers a better experience.
Show All Photos
Qinghai Lake Erlangjian Scenic Area
4.2
/5
5624 reviews
7.9
From THB 407.98
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609748519826
Address: 109 National Rd, Gonghe Xian, Hainan Zangzuzizhizhou, Qinghai Sheng, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
3217 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified user reviews
The scenery is beautiful and worth a visit. But don't take the train to the peninsula, it's a rip-off. The scenery is similar at the back, but it costs 120 yuan per person. The water bikes at the front are worth trying.
Several scenic spots along the way are worth visiting, especially Chaka Salt Lake and Qinghai Lake, which are also beautiful. The driver also served as a tour guide, providing explanations on the bus and providing attentive and enthusiastic service.
No.
4
Show All Photos
Zha Ga Na
4.2
/5
2982 reviews
7.8
From THB 362.65
Based on 21 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609415668678
Address: Tewo, Gannan, Gansu, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 days
Highlights:
Two-day hike: lakes & rocks
Taste yak butter tea & visit
Saved by 118 users2173 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The fairytale world of Zhagana is a truly worthwhile journey, leaving behind the bustling city to experience the beauty of the mountains and rivers.
Ctrip offers convenient and fast ticket purchases. Buy in advance for hassle-free travel.
The fairyland of Zhagana is definitely worth the trip. It is so beautiful, absolutely beautiful, and sacred. It is truly world-class. Those who travel abroad should go home and compare it to see the essence and noise. In fact, it is all in the beautiful China.
No.
5
Show All Photos
Gansu Provincial Museum
4.6
/5
3774 reviews
7.5
Based on 133 reviews
Gansu Provincial Museum/Lanzhou Center | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8609312339131
Address: No. 3 Xijin East Road, Qilihe District, Lanzhou City
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
Highlights:
Paint pottery & experience history
Archaeology & artifact restoration workshop
Saved by 110 users2420 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
This was my first time at the Provincial Museum. I'd been looking forward to it for a long time, but I was a little disappointed. The building is quite historic, and there was a long line at the entrance early in the morning. However, admission was quite fast. Compared to the flow of people, the exhibition hall itself was quite crowded and chaotic.
Today's lecture was given by Professor Xiaoli, who was very patient and provided comprehensive information. After the lecture, he provided a lot of detailed information, which was very nice.
A reminder: arrive early for your scheduled time. Otherwise, the lecturer will have to contact latecomers while he's explaining, which is a real downgrade.
The museum is rich in artifacts and packed with people. I'd deduct a point for the environment, but for a provincial museum like this, the air conditioning is subpar, making the experience in the northwest feel like the heat and humidity of the south. The curatorial flow and cooling system need further planning. A quick tour takes 1-2 hours, but a more in-depth guided tour would take you a full day or even two.
No.
6
Show All Photos
Zhangye Buddha Temple
4.7
/5
3835 reviews
7.3
From THB 172.26
Based on 136 reviews
Dafo Temple | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8609368222048
Address: Dafosi Pedestrian Street, Ganzhou District, Zhangye City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Majestic & sacred winter snow景。
Buddha statues & cave carvings
2814 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified user reviews
The reclining Buddha in the Big Buddha Temple is really shocking. It is the first time I have seen such a large Buddha indoors. It is very rare. The surrounding murals are also very exquisite. In addition to seeing the colorful Danxia when you come to Zhangye, I really recommend coming here to see it. It takes about an hour to visit the whole place, but it is definitely worth seeing.
Walking into Zhangye's Grand Buddha Temple is like stepping into the folds of time. The reclining Buddha's eyes half-close, millennia of light and shadow shimmer across his garments. The flying apsaras in the murals seem poised to descend at any moment. The scent of incense mingles with the aroma of aged wood, and even the air feels like a story. A walk around the temple calms the mind. No wonder the ancients often called this place a "Buddhist kingdom on the Great Wall." Absolutely stunning, highly recommended!
No.
7
Show All Photos
Mati Grottoes Tourism Area
4.6
/5
2058 reviews
7.2
From THB 58.94
Based on 49 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609368891646
Address: Dadu Ma Town, Sunan County, Zhangye City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
360° glass deck overlooking mountains
Qilian Mountains & Hexi Corridor
Saved by 103 users1304 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The scenery here is superb, but the open grottoes (Golden Pagoda Temple and Special Grottoes are not open to the public) no longer exist. They are all later statues. It is painful and sad to see them. I can only imagine the scriptures of that time by relying on the shrines. The regret is beyond words. Fortunately, the weather was good and the rain quickly cleared up. The rainbow, snow-capped mountains, green grass and the beautiful Lama Temple made people feel much more relaxed.
This is actually a very large scenic area. Due to our limited time, we only visited the Buddhist temple built on the cliff, called the 33-day Grottoes, but this has shocked me. Due to the altitude of 2500+, I am a little physically exhausted. If you don’t have altitude sickness and have enough time, you can take a good walk.
No.
8
Show All Photos
Zhuoer Mountain Scenic Area
4.6
/5
3288 reviews
7.1
Based on 23 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609708679114
Address: Behind the central square of Babao Town, Qilian County, Haibei Tibetan
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-5 hours
Highlights:
360° views: mountains & rivers
Danxia landforms & lush green meadows
1870 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified user reviews
Zhuoer Mountain is a hilly grassland, opposite to Amidongso, with nice scenery. In addition, the scenic area is also very mature. There is an extra-long elevator going up the mountain and a water slide going down the mountain, which is also very interesting. Overall, it is not very tiring and is suitable for traveling with children.
The scenery is amazing. You can see snow-capped mountains, Danxia, and experience the beauty of clouds on the mountaintops. The problem is that the snow has melted by the time you get there. You can go up on horseback for 160 yuan per person (you can negotiate a price). There are also horse-drawn carriages, and you can take a slide down. If you want a natural and unspoiled experience, you can skip the scenic area. After all, the scenic area is crowded and the views are similar. The scenery along the way is beautiful! You have to queue up to take pictures of the Sky Mirror, and you can't take them yourself! The guy who led the horse was very nice and helped me take pictures, haha!
No.
9
Show All Photos
Yellow River Building
4.6
/5
497 reviews
7.1
From THB 136.00
Olympic Sports Center/Lanzhou Old Street | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8609312115666
Address: 甘肃省兰州市七里河区南滨河中路1501号
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
93-meter tower overlooks Yellow River
16th-floor view of Lanzhou
457 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified user reviews
I didn't get much service. The view of the Yellow River and Lanzhou city from the 16th floor was nice. The Yellow River rocks on the 13th floor were also quite interesting. There is no escalator from the ground floor to the customer service center on the third floor, so you have to walk up stairs, which is not very user-friendly.
Climb up and take in the views of the Yellow River. The building is over a dozen stories high and has an elevator, making it very accessible to both the elderly and children. You typically take the elevator to the top and then slowly walk down, enjoying the view of the Yellow River. Then, you'll find a section on the history of the river, ancient animal fossils, a few photo ops, a jade exhibition, cultural and creative products, and a cafe. It's all here.
No.
10
Show All Photos
Qilian Mountains Binggou River Scenic Area
4.4
/5
343 reviews
7.1
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609355817777
Address: Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Wuwei City, Gansu Province
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
288 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified user reviews
It is unexpected to have such scenery in the northwest. There are mountains and rivers, and there are cattle and sheep of herdsmen in the scenic area. If you are lucky, you can also encounter fat and greedy groundhogs. The only drawback is that the scenic area can only be visited along a wooden plank road. It is a good place to take children to play in the water in summer.
"I love this 'semi-wild' feeling! Plank roads intersect with wild paths. You can cross the river on stones and explore the hidden secrets by pushing aside vines. The fragrance of pine needles from the primeval forest fills your face. It's a perfect balance of adventure and safety! Hikers are ecstatic."
1
2
3
4
5
