Things to Do in Xining, China: Walking Guide

Xining is a high-altitude city in northwestern China and the eastern gateway to the Qinghai Plateau. Its Muslim, Tibetan and Chinese influences come together in the city’s food, neighbourhoods and cultural traditions, while the surrounding landscape opens onto grasslands, mountain passes and Qinghai Lake.

What to see in Xining

Dongguan Mosque

Dongguan Mosque is one of Xining’s most important reflections of the region’s Muslim identity. It also provides a starting point for understanding the city’s Hui Muslim heritage and the cultural mix that shapes everyday life in Xining.

Qinghai Provincial Museum

The Qinghai Provincial Museum introduces the cultural and regional heritage of Qinghai. It is a useful place to put the landscapes and communities of the plateau into a broader historical context.

Qinghai Lake

Qinghai Lake is a vast natural attraction near Xining. Its scale and open surroundings offer a striking contrast with the city, and make it one of the region’s defining landscapes.

Grasslands of the Qinghai Plateau

The area around Xining includes expansive grasslands typical of the Qinghai Plateau. Wide skies and open terrain give the landscape a very different character from the urban environment.

High mountain passes

High mountain passes lead from Xining into the higher terrain of the plateau. They reveal the elevation and dramatic mountain scenery that define the region beyond the city.

Muslim neighbourhoods and local food

Xining’s Muslim neighbourhoods are part of the city’s everyday cultural life. They are known for halal dishes including hand-pulled noodles, lamb specialities and richly spiced local snacks.

Tibetan influences

Tibetan influences can be found in the religious sites and artistic traditions around Xining. They add another important layer to the cultural landscape of the city and the surrounding plateau.

Discover more of China

Xining is one of several destinations where China’s regional cultures and landscapes take different forms. Continue your journey with the mountain scenery of Lijiang, the historic streets of Xi’an, or the regional character of Urumqi. You can also compare Xining’s plateau setting with the coastal atmosphere of Shanghai.

Explore nearby cities with Neywo

Neywo does not yet have narrated places or tours in Xining. Its free audio guides already cover nearby Chinese cities, including Yangshuo, Tianjin and Qingdao. Find more destinations across China and explore them with Neywo as their stories accompany you from place to place.