The activities of human beings in this region can be traced to 2,100 years ago. During the Western and Eastern Han Dynasties, owing to its developing agriculture, Xining was paid more attention due to its economic and martial significance. Xining was also once an important stop on the century-old Silk Road. The boom of the Silk Road in the Han Dynasty is a major factor for the city's rise. But the city's historical role gradually declined as the trade route fell into disuse. Xining's importance in the old trade route means that it has a lot of historical sites. In and around Xining, visitors can find the Ta'er Monastery (Kumbum), one of the two most important Tibetan monasteries outside Tibet, Dongguan Great Mosque. Xining also provides access to some natural attractions with superlative beauty including the Qinghai Lake, the largest inland salt-water lake in China, the Bird Island on the west shore of the Qinghai Lake.
Encompassing 7,597 square kilometers, Xining has a population of 1.14 million. Xining is the first city on the upper reaches of the Yellow River to achieve a population into the millions. There are about 37 nationalities living here, including Han, Hui, Tu and Tibetan. The local traditions and customs are influenced by these distinctive nationalities, in particular the Tibetan group.
Xining is situated at the upper reaches of the Huangshui River (a tributary of the Yellow River) in the east of Qinghai Province, with mountains surrounding it. It is the terminal of Lanzhou-Qinghai Railway and the starting point of both Qinghai-Tibet Railway and Highway, and has always been regarded as "the entrance to Qinghai and Tibet". Enjoying a good location surrounded by high mountains, the city has a relatively comfortable climate with neither bone-chilling winter nor sweltering summer and the annually temperature there is about 6 centigrade. Summer in Xining is an ideal season for tourists who can enjoy fresh and crisp weather. For most visitors both home and abroad, Xining provides a variety of delicious food and snacks. You can find some special meat products easily here for Xining is also a pasturing area. But, at the same time, don't forget that your health should be put on the first position.
Not only there are many attractions making a visit to the area well worth considering, but also the popularity of the Xining region has been enhanced by convenient transportation and accommodation. So come with us and pay a visit to the beautiful city.
