Back from Xining, really don't recommend visiting in July-August because it's just too...

🌿 【Must-Visit Spots in Xining】 1. Kumbum Monastery (Ta'er Temple) - Highlights: Three treasures of Tibetan Buddhist art (butter sculptures/murals/embroidery), the gilded roof of Great Golden Tile Hall is breathtaking in sunlight! - Money-saving tip: Fewer crowds after 4pm, student discount (¥40) - Hidden photo spot: Red wall near Eight Pagodas outside temple - perfect for sacred Tibetan costume shots with prayer wheels📿 2. Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Wildlife Zoo - Star animals: China's only captive Pallas's cat "Lord Sun" + snow leopard "Proud Snow"🐆 (Internet celebrities!) - Tickets: ¥30 for plateau predators, +¥20 to pet pandas - Pro tip: Animals most active at 9am, feeding experience ¥10 (specific areas only) 3. Danggur Ancient City - Time travel: 600-year-old Tea-Horse Road trading hub with flagstone roads, old security bureau ruins, and silver workshops - Free experiences: Qiang flute performance at North Gate Tower (10:30am daily), ¥5 bowls of yogurt at alley ends! 4. Dongguan Grand Mosque - Must-see: Friday noon prayers with 10,000 worshippers (non-Muslims can observe from outside) - Night magic: Starry dome + green light show after 9pm✨ 5. Plateau Pearl Tower - Night photography: ¥25 for 360° city views - arrive before lights-off at 9:30pm! 🚶 【3D2N In-Depth Itinerary】 Day1: Religious Culture Immersion - AM: Kumbum Monastery (guided Tsongkhapa legends) → Tibetan Culture Museum (free! See 618m painted scroll - Guinness record) - PM: Dongguan Mosque → Nanguan Mosque (compare architectures) - Night snack: Xianan Guan Street lamb hand-pulled with garlic🧄 (Old Ma's ¥28/jin, choose fat ratio) Day2: Nature & Culture Marathon - AM: Wildlife Zoo (head straight to snow leopard exhibit!) → Tibetan Medicine Museum (¥60 for ancient medical thangkas) - PM: Danggur Ancient City (make custom silver rings💍¥30) → Riyue Mountain sunset (half-price ¥27 after 7pm!) - Night: Leopard Street Night Market for sour-spicy pork + sweet fermented barley yogurt Day3: Secret Hiking Day - 1hr private car → Laji Mountain (free! Prayer flag pass for Lungta scattering) - Bonus: Guide Danxia (Red Cliff Valley - Mars-like drone views) - Souvenirs: Shuijing Alley yak jerky ¥45/jin, chili sauce ¥10/jar 🍜 【Food Hall of Fame/Shame】 ✅ Must-eats: - Liangpi noodles: Brothers Liangpi (wheat gluten soaked in chili-vinegar!) - "Dog Pee" pancake: Mazhong Food Street (crispy fennel-filled flatbread) - Sweet fermented barley: Delu Yogurt (iced bursting barley, ¥5 sweeter than first love) - Grilled lamb ribs: Plateau Kitchen (crispy potatoes + non-gamy ribs) ⚠️ Avoid: - "Wild yellow mushroom soup" near attractions → actually cultivated fungi at scam prices - Mobile "highland barley wine" stalls → mostly fake, only buy bottled Huzhu brand 🛏️ 【Accommodation Hacks】 - Budget (under ¥100): - Qinghai Memory Hostel near train station (¥35/bed, rooftop mountain views) - Tibetan homestay at city center (¥60/person, learn butter tea making) - Splurge: - Tsongkhapa Art Hotel (off-season ¥200+, wake to temple bells) 💡 【Pro Tips】 1. Free viewpoint: Phoenix Pavilion at South Mountain Park beats Pearl Tower! 2. Hidden gem: 30min hike behind Kumbum Monastery to secret prayer flag forest (ask monks)🌄 3. Altitude sickness: Don't wash hair first day! Rhodiola liquid works faster than pills 4. Packing formula: - Day: T-shirt + sun jacket (UV will peel your skin!) - Night: Light down jacket (15℃ temperature drop)❄️