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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Kumbum Monastery
4.6
/5
16766 reviews
8.3
From MXN$183.01
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 224 users9585 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It's definitely worth a visit. We went to Qinghai Lake in the morning and it was raining heavily. Then we went to Sun Moon Mountain in the afternoon. Finally, we arrived at Ta'er Temple. It was raining heavily again. It was already 4:30, so we finished the tour quickly! We saw everything we needed to see. It closed at 5:30.
Ta'er Monastery is one of the six major monasteries of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It is located in Lushar Town, Huangzhong County, Xining City, Qinghai Province. It is not only a sacred religious site but also a treasure trove of culture and art. The following is a review of Ta'er Monastery:
Advantages
- Magnificent Architecture: Built into the mountainside, Ta'er Monastery boasts a magnificent array of halls, pavilions, scripture halls, and pagodas. The temple's buildings, such as the Great Golden-Tile Hall and the Great Sutra Hall, blend Tibetan and Han styles, creating a magnificent spectacle and showcasing the mastery of ancient architectural art.
- High Artistic Value: Ta'er Monastery's butter sculptures, murals, and pile embroidery are known as the "Three Wonders of Art." The butter sculptures are lifelike and vibrantly colored; the murals are rich in content and delicate in brushwork; and the pile embroidery boasts a strong three-dimensional quality and exquisite craftsmanship. These works of art fully reflect the wisdom and piety of the Tibetan people.
- Strong Religious Atmosphere: As the birthplace of Lama Tsongkhapa, Ta'er Monastery is a sacred site for believers. Devout believers can often be seen kneeling in worship within the temple, giving one a sense of the power of faith. Furthermore, the temple houses the Qinghai Buddhist Academy, the highest institution of learning, which plays a crucial role in educating and promoting Tibetan Buddhism.
- Rich History and Culture: Founded in the 39th year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty, Ta'er Monastery boasts a long history. The temple houses a wealth of cultural relics and ancient texts, making it a crucial venue for the study of Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan history.
Disadvantages
- Poor Scenic Area Management: Unclear signage and poorly planned parking make navigation difficult. Furthermore, the numerous small vendors and unauthorized tour guides in the square undermine the overall image of the scenic area.
- High Ticket Prices: Tickets to Ta'er Monastery are relatively expensive, which may not be considered cost-effective for some visitors.
- Compromised Visitor Experience: Due to Ta'er Monastery's high popularity, the area attracts a large number of visitors, especially during peak season. The area is crowded, and the presence of local tour guides makes the visitor experience noisy and disruptive, hindering visitors' immersion.
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Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum
4.8
/5
7114 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 193 users6569 positive reviews
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My third visit to Xining. This time, I visited the Qinghai Tibetan Medicine and Culture Museum. 👍"Medicine is embedded in food; medicine and food share the same origin"; "Where there is poison, there is medicine; where there is medicine, there is poison; medicine and poison coexist and transform into each other"; 👍"Man" means medicine or medication, "Tang" means thangka, and "Mantang" is a medical educational wall chart. This perfect combination of Tibetan painting art and medicine is a treasure of Chinese medicine and a rare find in the history of global medicine!
Tip: The museum is open on Mondays! 👏👍
The South Wing's exterior design draws inspiration from traditional Tibetan books, symbolizing the longevity of cultural heritage and the enduring spirit of the plateau.
The North Wing's exterior design draws inspiration from the Medicine Buddha Mandala, symbolizing the light of the sun and moon illuminating the world, blessing humanity with health and longevity.
The museum features sound-activated lighting. When you slowly approach from a deserted area, the lights illuminate the exhibition halls, creating a truly stunning experience. Some people find it a bit intimidating, but I personally love this clever touch.
The first floor of the South Wing houses a cultural and creative center, simple dining options, and even a small library. I highly recommend a visit; it's affordable and enjoyable!
If you've ever wanted to visit Tibet but haven't had the opportunity, or if you'd like to learn more about the region, I still recommend visiting the museum!
The large thangkas are truly stunning! Take a moment to observe and feel your soul captivated!
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Qinghai Lake
4.5
/5
6497 reviews
7.9
From MXN$156.87
Based on 598 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609747553999
Address: Qinghai Lake, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
No.1 of Water fun & Cool Retreats in Xining
Highlights:
Clockwise lake tour & Tibetan culture
Boat ride & scenic views
Saved by 181 users3495 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The hotel is strategically located, with convenient transportation and beautiful surroundings. The rooms are well-equipped, clean and tidy, and the beds are comfortable. The hotel service is thoughtful, the staff are warm and friendly, and the service attitude is professional.
It's great, Qinghai Lake is great, but it's relatively suitable for self-driving. I feel that the car is not very convenient. I also took a cruise, a luxury cruise, and fed seagulls. Are you envious? Xixi
No.
4
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Riyue Mountains (Sun and Moon Mountains)
4.4
/5
1390 reviews
7.8
From MXN$256.21
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 124 users764 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Sun and Moon Mountain is where Princess Wencheng walked. It has beautiful scenery and endless views from far and near. The visual effects are different at different locations. The tickets are not expensive. You can enter by walking on the plank road or by car. The prices in the scenic area are reasonable and cost-effective. It is worth a visit.
According to legend, Princess Wencheng once passed by this mountain when she married Songtsen Gampo. Standing atop the peak, she gazed westward, overcome with longing for home. She took out the "Sun and Moon Mirror" given to her by the empress before her departure, and instantly saw the enchanting scenery of Chang'an.
No.
5
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Xining Wildlife Park
4.5
/5
2935 reviews
7.7
From MXN$78.44
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
1941 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified user reviews
Ling Xiaozhe is located at the second stop on the sightseeing bus, at the Snow Leopard Pavilion, about 30 meters down from the Beast Hall. Xiaozhe, Xiaomang, and Aoxue rotate between opening hours and are more active in the mornings. Before you go, it's best to find out which one will be open that day.
When I went, Aoxue was open, and Xiaozhe was scheduled to open the next day.
We saw caracals, snow leopards, desert cats, and many other plateau animals we had never seen before. It was great! But eating was a bit difficult. There was only a Dicos near the panda house, and the only other snacks were sausage stalls.
No.
6
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Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Nature Museum
4.2
/5
537 reviews
6.4
From MXN$141.18
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
342 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
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.
The exhibits here are quite interesting and suitable for children. They can learn about the animals and plants of the plateau, as well as the terrain characteristics. They also introduce the situation of Sanjiangyuan. The children's science popularization is very good.
No.
7
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Plateau Pearl Sightseeing Tower
4.5
/5
310 reviews
6.2
From MXN$75.82
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
197 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
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
505 reviews
6.0
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
162 positive reviews10K views in last month
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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
1071 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 117 users179 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
3443 reviews
5.8
From MXN$622.23
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.2 of Night Attractions in Xining
Highlights:
Whale & dolphin show nearby
Silk Road Town & Fantasy Forest
3183 positive reviews10K views in last month
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- 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.
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.
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