Xining

Xining has an history of 2000 years; originally called Xipingting; once as a capital in Nan Liang dynasty. It was the key point of the south branch of the Silk Road. Today its location on the road to Tibet via Golmud means it is a stopping place for visitors on the way to Lhasa. While the city itself is fairly quiet, it is a good base from which to explore the little known sights of Qinghai such as its massive saltwater lake and the Tibetan monastery at Ta’er.