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)❄️