Qinghai Surprise

Qinghai Surprise

With the opening of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway in 2006, Qinghai is now seeing an increase in activity. One of the railway's most scenic stretches cuts through the Kunlun and Tanggula mountains along the Tibetan border. Visitors can now marvel at the region's stunning scenery from the safety of train cars featuring free oxygen supplies. The infusion of tourists is naturally affecting how one experiences the Silk Road. Now. Travelers in Xining (or Lanzhou or Xian, for that matter) can flip a coin and decide to head farther west to Xinjiang or break south to Lhasa.

Should you be tempted to join the throngs headed for Tibet, make sure to take in a few of Qinghai's must-see sites beforehand. The capital city of Xining itself is worth getting to know. The city is small and friendly by Chinese standards, with a bit of charming Tibetan flair. Take note of the city's nearest ethereal retreats. On the northwest edge of the city is the famed North Monastery, a solemn Daoist destination. The Kumbum Monastery is a testament of Tibetan tranquillity. For a truly heavenly display, crane your neck skyward at Bird Island on Qinghai Lake several hundred miles to the west of Xining. Your soul will be richer for it.