Xining

We almost skipped Xining and I'm so glad we didn't. The city has this fascinating mix of Chinese, Tibetan, and Islamic threads that you don't find elsewhere. I loved hearing the call to prayer drift over from the mosque while sipping butter tea at a local hole-in-the-wall. The fresh apricots at the morning bazaar were incredible. Don't miss the viewing platform overlooking the city — the mountains around make it feel so dramatic. Super underrated destination.

As a guy who loves high-altitude hiking, Xining is a dream base. I spent a day at Kumbum Monastery and the art there is absolutely stunning — the yak butter sculptures are unlike anything I've seen. In the city, the river walk at sunset was peaceful and clean. Even my Airbnb host went out of his way to help me get a bus ticket to Qinghai Lake. This place has a quiet charm that grows on you. Strong recommend!

Honestly, I wanted to love Xining, but it fell a bit flat for me. Maybe it was the weather — it rained the whole time and everything felt gray and slippery. The pedestrian street was crowded but not in a fun way, and the famous market felt a bit touristy. We tried a yak meat restaurant that was recommended, but the meat was super tough and the service was uninterested. It's fine for a stopover, but I wouldn't plan a trip here again.

Stayed for two nights to acclimatize before heading further west. The city itself is clean and easy to navigate, though a bit dusty. We really enjoyed the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Museum — super informative and free, which was a bonus. The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is that the hotel we booked didn't have proper heating at night, and it got chilly. Otherwise, the locals were warm and the food was solid. A good stop if you're traveling through.

Xining surprised me in the best way. The Qinghai Lake day trip was the highlight, but even just walking around the city felt refreshing at this altitude. The air is crisp, the sky impossibly blue, and the mix of Tibetan and Hui cultures gives the streets a unique vibe. I had the best hand-pulled noodles at a tiny spot near Dongguan Mosque. Honestly, I wasn't expecting much from a transit city, but I'd come back in a heartbeat.

Xining surprised me in the best way. I came for the Qinghai Lake tour but ended up falling in love with the city itself. The blend of Tibetan and Hui cultures is fascinating—you can hear Buddhist chants and Muslim calls to prayer within the same block. Bought some amazing handmade carpets from the bazaar, and the owner even offered me free milk tea. Unforgettable experience.