Xining Dengar Ancient City｜A Millennium Memory of the Highland Silk Road

Dengar Ancient City is located in Huangyuan County, Xining City, and is known as the "Throat of the Sea-Tibet" and the "Tea Horse Trade Capital." It is one of the better-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty ancient cities on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This ancient city was built during the Ming Dynasty and was an important commercial hub on the Qinghai Route of the Silk Road and the Tang-Tibet Ancient Road. It blends Han, Tibetan, Hui, and other ethnic cultures, attracting many tourists with its profound historical heritage and unique architectural style.

When visiting Dengar Ancient City, you can stroll along the cobblestone streets and admire the simple Ming and Qing architecture, such as the City God Temple, Confucian Temple, and Dengar Government Office ruins. The ancient city also offers rich folk performances, including Qinghai Hua'er songs and Tibetan singing and dancing, immersing visitors in a strong local cultural atmosphere. For food, be sure to try local specialties like Qinghai old yogurt, hand-pulled mutton, and dog urine cake to experience authentic northwest flavors. The entrance fee is 50 RMB per person, with a recommended visit time of 2-3 hours. The best travel season is from May to October, when the climate is cool and pleasant.

Transportation
It is very convenient to get to Dengar Ancient City from downtown Xining. You can drive along the Jingzang Expressway, exit at Huangyuan County, and follow the signs to reach the city, about 50 kilometers and around 1 hour drive. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle bus from Xining Railway Station to Huangyuan County, then transfer to a local taxi or bus directly to the ancient city. The shuttle bus ticket costs about 20 RMB, and the journey takes about 1.5 hours. Parking around the ancient city is convenient, making it suitable for a day trip or combined with a visit to Qinghai Lake.

Post by Harper Lee Harper14 | Oct 20, 2025