Altitude: 2,200 meters (average)
Population: approximately 2,208,000 people
Location: Xining is located in the eastern part of Qinghai Province
Tibetan name: Silung – ཟི་ལིང
Chinese name: 西宁
Xining is the capital city of Qinghai province in China. It is located in the eastern part of Qinghai, and lies on the Huangshui river, a tributary of the Yellow River, one of the main rivers in China.
Qinghai is the fourth largest province in China. Although its population is one of the lowest in China (2nd smallest after Tibet), it is very diverse. Chinese, Tibetans, Mongols, Salars, and other ethnic groups comprise Qinghai’s population.
Many prefectures of the present-day Qinghai are a part of the Amdo Region of Tibet. Amdo is the birthplace of the current Dalai Lama, as well as the 10th Panchen Lama. In addition, Lama Tsongkhapa was born here, and the majestic Kumbum monastery stands near his birthplace.
TRAVEL TO AND FROM XINING
The ways to travel to and from Xining are:
- BY AIR
The domestic airport in Xining serves the area with regularly scheduled passenger flights to major Chinese cities including Lhasa(Tibet), Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Chengdu, Kunming, Xi’an, and Wuhan. - BY TRAIN
There is a railroad connecting Xining with all major Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xian, and also Lhasa (Tibet). In addition, the high-speed rail connects Xining with Lanzhou and Urumqi (Xinjiang), as well as with Xian, Chengdu, and Chongqing. - OVERLAND
From Beijing to Tibet we have G6 Beijing-Lhasa Expressway, this road is going through seven of China’s administrative regions, including the Beijing municipality, the province of Hebei, the autonomous regions of Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia, the provinces of Gansu and Qinghai, finally the Tibet Autonomous Region. It passes through the cities of Xining and Golmud in the Tibetan Region.
Below you will find more information on each way of traveling, their advantages, and disadvantages.
XINING TO LHASA FLIGHTS
Distance: 815 miles/ 1312 km
Flight duration: 2 h 20 min
Airports: Xining Caojiabao Airport (XNN) and Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA)
The easiest and fastest way to travel from Xining to Lhasa is by flight. First, there are many domestic flights arriving in Xining every day, and it is easy to find a flight from many domestic destinations. Second, there are between 5 to 8 nonstop flights from Xining to Lhasa every day, depending on the season. The high season is from May till October. You can choose between flights departing from very early in the morning until late in the evening. You will fly from Xining Caojiabao Airport (XNN) to Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA). The flight takes about 2 hours 20 minutes. When the weather is clear, you will enjoy a great view of the mountain ranges of the Tibetan Plateau.
The best time to travel from Xining to Lhasa by plane is early in the morning. These flights are rarely delayed because of the weather conditions. Although there are always many daily flights between cities, we recommend booking your flight in advance. During Chinese official holidays, and at the beginning or end of students’ vacation time tickets can sell out fast.
XINING TO LHASA FLIGHT SCHEDULE AND PRICES
Xining Caojiabao Airport (XNN)
Name in Chinese: 西宁曹家堡机场
Currently, there is only a domestic airport called Xining Caojiabao. The airport is only around 28 km/ 17 miles away from the city center. Depending on the season there are about 50-60 domestic air routes serviced by 15 airlines. Although Xining airport doesn’t accept international flights, you will have no problem connecting your international flight with a domestic flight to Xining in one of the major Chinese cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, or others.
If you are staying in Xining, here are the options for transferring to the city:
- By taxi: around CNY 80-100 to the city center.
- By shuttle bus: According to the flight schedule. The price is CNY 21 per person ( duration 1 hour).
If you are transferring in Xining airport to your flight to Tibet, you will need to pick up your Tibet travel permit. We will send you detailed information about the permit and its delivery to Xining.
XINING TO LHASA TRAINS
One of the most popular ways to travel from Xing to Lhasa is by taking a train. Qinghai-Tibet railroad is the highest railroad on the planet, going over the mountain passes above 5,000 meters. The road passes by scenic areas with views of mountains, rivers, lakes, and wildlife.
XINING TO LHASA TRAIN SCHEDULE AND DURATION
There are many trains stopping in Xining on the way to Lhasa. They originate from major cities in China. The duration of the train ride from Xining to Lhasa is approximately 21 hours. There are trains departing from early morning until late in the evening to accommodate any schedule.
There is only one train number Z6801 going directly from Xining to Lhasa. The train runs every other day. It departs Xining at 01:50 pm, and arrives in Lhasa at 11:20 am on the next day. The return train number Z6802 departs from Lhasa at 09:00 am and arrives in Xining at 06:30 am.
You can always contact us for current train schedule and prices for your travel dates.
XINING TO LHASA TRAIN TICKET CLASSES AND PRICES
Trains from Xining to Lhasa are very popular among tourists. That’s why it is important to book tickets far in advance. During the high season (summer and early fall), official holidays, and student vacation time tickets sell out immediately. Train tickets become available 30 days in advance and you should book them as soon as possible.
Trains offer 3 classes:
- Soft sleeper. 4 beds in a berth with a door, beds are softer than in hard sleeper class and more comfortable. The price is CNY 826 per ticket.
- Hard sleeper. 6 beds in a berth without doors, beds are still soft despite the name, but less comfortable. Price is CNY 521 per ticket.
- Hard seats. The cheapest option, but not recommended for long trips.
Please, note, prices change slightly, depending on whether you have a low or upper bed in a berth.
XINING TRAIN STATION
Name in Chinese: 西宁站
Address: Qilian Lu, Chengdong District, Xining
Transportation to Xining Train Station:
- From Xining Caojiabao Airport: 30km, about 40 min of driving. The taxi ride is usually around CNY100 or take a shuttle bus from the airport to the city center and then transfer to one of the buses from the city
- From Xining city center: buses 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 22, 27, 28, 32, 35, etc. It is best to consult the hotel reception to direct you to the best bus route.
- By taxi: ask your driver to take you to 西宁站
Xining train station is a busy hub on the Lanzhou – Xinjiang and Qinghai – Tibet railway. There are both high-speed and regular railroads meeting in Xining. In 2014, the train station was completely renovated. It is now a spacious building with many seats inside, restaurants, small shops, water stations, and restrooms. You should arrive at the train station in advance.
If you have an electronic ticket booking, you will first have to visit the ticket office to pick up your train ticket. Please, have your passport and Tibet travel permit with you, along with ticket reservation information. Once you have a train ticket, you can go inside the train station (you have to scan your ticket at the entrance and show your passport).
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAKING TRAIN TO TIBET
XINING TO LHASA OVERLAND
Traveling overland allows you to see many incredible places along the way. You start the journey in Xining, where you will visit Kumbum (Ta’er), one of the most important monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. The next must-see attraction is the magnificent Qinghai lake and many of the birds staying on its islands. As you drive further away from Xining, we enter the Kekexili Nature Reserve Region and vast grasslands in Northern Tibet. We will make a stop by the Namtso lake, called the Heavenly lake for its high altitude. Finally, you will reach Lhasa and explore the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
The highway connecting Xining and Lhasa often goes along with the railroad. The views that you will see are similar to the views when you take a train. If you want to travel faster, you can take a train from Xining to Golmud, and continue the overland journey from Golmud to Lhasa by car. This way offers the best combination of traveling fast and not missing any of the interesting places along the way.
XINING TO LHASA OVERLAND
XINING TO LHASA BY BUS
Although there are buses going from Xining to Lhasa, foreign travelers cannot travel to Lhasa by bus. It is, however, possible to travel by train to Golmud and by tourist car from Golmud to Lhasa.
TOP ATTRACTIONS IN XINING
KUMBUM / TA’ER MONASTERY
Kumbum monastery also called Ta’er Temple is the top attraction in Xining. It is a Tibetan monastery in Lusar, Huangzhong County, Xining, Qinghai. It was founded in 1583 in a narrow valley close to the village of Lusar in the historical Tibetan region of Amdo.
HOW TO GET TO KUMBUM FROM XINING:
A short bus ride or a taxi can take you there from the city center. Simply take the bus number 909 from Xining and get off the bus at the last station. Follow the crowd of pilgrims walking along the street stalls selling simple snacks and religious items towards the ticket office.
QINGHAI LAKE
Qinghai Lake is the largest lake in China. Its other name is Koko Nor. Qinghai in Chinese means blue or green sea. It is a saltwater lake.
The lake is located about 100km to the West from Xining at an altitude of 3,200 meters. The lake is a draw for many of the birds. The two islands on the West side of the lake even became known as bird islands for their bird variety. Many of the birds are seasonal, making a stop there while migrating to other places. For Tibetans, Qinghai is a sacred lake and they circumambulate it (a common practice in important religious places). Many nomads live around the lake and herds of their animals graze on its shores.
REBKONG/ TONGREN
Rebkong (Tongren in Chinese) is a city located about 2 hours of driving from Xining. It is one of the important centers of Buddhism in the Amdo region. There are several large active Buddhist monasteries. Some monasteries have impressive Buddha sculptures outside and beautiful stupas. The region is famous for its thangka painting masters. Monks and artists create wonderful Thangkas (religious paintings), and many Tibetans travel to Rebkong for a new painting.
NANCHAN TEMPLE
The Buddhist temple stands on the Phoenix Mountain (Fenghuang Mountain) on the Southside of Xining. The original temple has been there since the 10th century, but buildings that you can currently see are much younger (17-20th century). The main structures include the Thousand Buddha Hall, the Jade Buddha Hall, and the Maitreya Temple. It is best to visit the temple in the morning as many buildings close in the afternoon.
From the top of the temple you can get a nice view on Xining.
MOJIA STREET MARKET
The busy market street is famous for its variety of street food. Many vendors sell local delicacies, dried fruit, teas, spices, etc. Food to try there includes kebabs, meat or vegetable skewers, noodles, spicy potato cakes, pickled vegetables, fresh yogurt, different types of bread, various pastries, and a lot more. Mojia street is a good place not only to sample new food but also to watch local people.
DONGGUAN MOSQUE
Dongguan is the largest mosque in Qinghai and one of the largest in China. As Xining has a large Muslim population, the Mosque is an important religious center. The first mention of the mosque goes back to the 11th century, and the original mosque was built in the 14th century. It was later reconstructed and restored in the 20th century. The best time to see the mosque is in the evening when it is illuminated by light. The mosque is open for Muslim visitors.
Other popular destinations around Xining include Nine Grottos & Eighteen Cavities (1-2 days, travel outside of Xining) and North Mountain Temple (also known as Yongxing Temple on Beishan Mountain).
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