When in Xining, don’t forget to wander the streets to admire the wide variety of ingredients, spices and snacks! From freshly baked bread, biscuits and cakes to meat and sacks of different spices, all of your senses will be in for a right treat!⠀ ⠀ We spent about an hour just walking up and down each side of the streets in downtown Xining and came across a wonderful array of local food, and wanted to try absolutely everything that came into sight. Have you tried any of the items featured here?⠀ ⠀ 📍Xining, Qinghai Province, China #leaveyourmark

Welcome to Qinghai, China’s fourth largest province and home to towering mountains, stunning waterscapes and a variety of folk cultures.⠀ ⠀ We started our adventure in Xining (西宁), the capital city of the province on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau - and a city that played a key role in trade and cultural exchange after opening the Silk Road. And one of the most famous historical places to visit near Xining is Ta’er Monastery (otherwise known as Kumbum Monastery).⠀ ⠀ With 400 years of history, this monastery is a religious activity center that still houses practising monks within the complex that comprises of Buddhist halls, large courtyards, multiple stupas and more. ⠀ ⠀ 📍Kumbum Monastery, near Xining, Qinghai Province, China #leaveyourmark

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I first saw Qinghai Lake. I was cycling down from the main road, through fields of grass and bright yellow rapeseed flowers when I first caught a glimpse of the blue water. For a split second, I forgot where I was and thought I had somehow made it to the sea!⠀ ⠀ Located on the northeast of the Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai Lake is incredibly vast - said to be three times the size of Greater London - and is a sacred lake for Buddhist pilgrims. ⠀ ⠀ 📍Qinghai Lake, Qinghai Province, China #leaveyourmark

If you only have three days to spare, make every hour count in Xining, Qinghai Province. ⠀ We started our adventure in Xining (西宁), the capital city of the province on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau - and a city that played a key role in trade and cultural exchange after opening the Silk Road. And one of the most famous historical places to visit near Xining is Ta’er Monastery (otherwise known as Kumbum Monastery).⠀ ⠀ With 400 years of history, this monastery is a religious activity center that still houses practising monks within the complex that comprises of Buddhist halls, large courtyards, multiple stupas and more. ⠀ It’s not just a Buddhist monastery. It’s a key cultural relic; a place of astounding architecture, vivid colours, mesmerising culture and beautiful craftsmanship / artwork - including delicate sculptures of Buddha, animals and flowers made of yak butter (which need to be crafted by hand in sub-zero temperatures...)! When you start to get peckish, grab a flaky bing filled with minced beef, leek, onion and cabbage. Could not get enough of the crispy, crunchy texture of the outer pastry and the moreish flavour of the filling.⠀ ⠀ 📍Xinqian Yeshi (Food Court) 新千夜市, Xining, Qinghai Province, China. While here you can pick up a variety of dishes native to the province, as well as a couple of other speciality dishes inspired by neighbouring regions! ⠀ 📍Kumbum Monastery, near Xining, Qinghai Province, China #urbanexplorer#qingmingtravel

🏔 Sure is Qilian Mountain the Switzerland of China as they call. A blend of mountainous roads leading into this town, grasslands with herds of cattle, and the snow-capped mountains with pine trees is the scenery that brought me to this place.   📌 The day I travelled to this town, which is located in the border of Qinghai and Gansu provinces, it was raining heavily that I could barely see anything. We approached Qilian Mountain in the late afternoon and enjoyed the first evening after the rain. Colorful lightings were lit up all over one of the main hills in town very beautifully, very beautifully.   🏞 The morning after, the sky was clear and that’s when we visited the scenic area. It was fantastic! The fresh alpine air, moo-moo sound from local cattle on the hill, and the breathtaking vista of high mountains make this place very special.     🌲This alpine region is one of the few places in China where I totally could escape from the crowds, also just to be able to immerse myself in the nature. 🗺 #scenicspotguide #urbanexplorer #travelinspiration #unforgettableexperiences#nationalpark#naturalwonders#roadtrip#urbanexplorer

Chaka Salt Lake is a natural, crystallised saline lake in Qinghai Province. It’s a vast and expansive landscape, with salt lake sections stretching as far as the eye can see - it’s said to be the largest salt mine in the world! There’s nothing like the feeling of salt between your toes...but this section of the Chaka Salt Lake was a little more painful than the others. The further you walk, the bigger (and sharper...) the pieces got. But, you won’t be able to stop taking pictures while here because it truly is beautiful! Can you capture the famous mirror-like photos? ⠀ 📍Chaka Salt Lake, Qinghai Province, China #leaveyourmark

A perfect time to visit the Tibetan temple in Xinin; it was very quiet today so we could enjoy the incredible artwork, Buddhist artefacts, statues and architecture in relative peace. Wrap up warm though, as they say in England, it's a bit nippy!

西宁 Xining is a capital of the Qinghai, most exotic Chinese province. This is the big pot where different cultures and religions are melt and mixed. Just let's take a look, there are living 汉 Han (biggest Chinese ethnic group), 回族 Hui Zu(muslin), 新疆人 Xinjiang people (also muslin), 藏族 or Tibetans, even Mongolians. The city counts several muslin quarters, the biggest one is being proud of its gem, the Big Mosque. This is the biggest mosque in China looking beautiful, especially, at the night. #tripaway#triplocal

#tripaway Qinghai is an inland province located in northwestern China .A very beautiful place with nice people.I recommend self driving.We enjoyed our stay and there are many places you can visit in this province.Best wishes #tripaway