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Located on the fringe of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, Xining is the most obvious starting
point for travellers exploring western China, with hopes of heading into Tibet. The city
itself is interesting in that it is fairly heavily populated by a variety of different
ethnic groups, although there are not a great deal of cultural sights that are worth
seeing. In this category, of interest is really only the imposing Great Mosque, one of the most important
Buddhist venues in Qinghai. It is the many markets and people that make the town lively,
and the Water Well Alley Market Stalls (see Dining Overview) are the
place to come to really experience this. Out of town are the majority of sights. Closest to the center is the North Mountain Temple, that is situated
just over the Huangshui River. This is one of Qinghai"s only Taoist
temples and the Ningshou Pagoda that crowns the mountain"s summit
commands excellent views of the entire city. The highlight of the whole area is the active
Kumbum Monastery that is a short 26km
south of Xining. The monastery was built in commemoration of Tsong Khappa,
the founder of the Yellow Hat Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, who was born in this area. To the east of Xining lies the ancient Qutan Temple, that has fallen from glory
since its peak in the Ming Dynasty. The temple, although not as interesting as the Kumbum,
has some elegant Buddhist murals and a little visited feel. The furthest of the sights,
the Mengda Nature Reserve, is an area
that is, for the moment, of great beauty. Surrounded by luscious greenery there are good
possibilities for hiking, boating and horse riding. |
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