An expat's favorite places in China

5. XINING

Chinese people call Xining the “Summer Resort Capital". Most of the hotels in this city don’t have air conditioning. Why? Because they don't need it! Even in summer, the weather is cool, winds blowing all the time and, at night, you will need a blanket. In the city, there are mosques and building related to Islamic culture – but not much else. But if you get out of the city, you will experience "Tibetan flavors" as Xining is the gateway to the Tibetan plateau.

Visit

Ta'er Si (Kunbum) Monastery - a beautiful Tibetan monastery

Tongren - Take a bus to this small Tibetan town just a few hours away from the city

Xiahe - Hop on a bus to another small Tibetan town, just a few hours away from Tongren

Guide (Gui De) – You can also take a bus to this small ancient Tibetan village located in Yellow River's bank, just a few hours away from the city

Qinghai Lake – And you can also travel by bus to the largest inland saltwater lake in China, just a few hours away from the city

Qilian Mountains - If you go on a road trip to these mountains, you can see very impressive scenery and interact with many Tibetan people along the way