Xining Travel Guide

Biggest city in Qinghai and fairly developed (center of city has KFC, Nike, etc.).  Cheapest places to stay are in the market across from the long-distance bus station or a couple hundred feet just down from the same bus station.  Don't be afraid to bargain the room rate - most places will go for LPG prices.  The city itself is really a base station.  Ta'er Si nearby isn't really worth checking out (expensive entrance fee for a mediocre temple complex) and Qinghai Hu (China's largest salt lake) is a tourist trap.   The lake itself is gorgeous, but it's a 10 hour round trip with less than one hour to view it.  Groups come in hordes and do not treat the birds well.

its strange to see this huge city up on the tibetan plateau. its quite interesting though and a good base for exploring sites like the monastery at tongren or qinghai lake.

This city is still in the process of modernizing, enjoy the rural life while you can. I think I got sick here, be careful with drinking water and such.