Xining 西宁 — Gateway to Tibet — Qinghai-Tibet Railway Start
Capital of Qinghai and starting point of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. The city sits at 2,275m altitude and is the gateway to Qinghai Lake and Tibet.
One of the six great Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. Birthplace of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelug (Yellow Hat) school. The butter sculptures and thangka paintings are extraordinary art forms.
Hours: 8:00–18:00
Admission: ¥70