Xining Entertainment and Nightlife

Xining Entertainment and Nightlife introduces the recreation of Xining Nightlife, Things to Do in Xining at Night, Xining Entertainment such as night market, cinemas and performances, as well as the nightlife and all kinds of popular activities and all kinds of tea houses, cafes, bars and other entertainment places in Xining.

Nightlife in Xining

Xining Nightlife is not so colorful, compared with other cities of China. Visitors may find the nightlife in Xining is limited. But there are still some venues worth checking out: bars, pubs, clubs, cinemas, tea houses, theaters. Many visitors find that the most engaging form of entertainment in Xining is the calendar of festivals held regularly throughout the year. Visitors may learn and experience a great deal of the local ethnic folk culture through these celebrations with the locals, most of which are held in and around the Ta’er Monastery.

Visit Night Street and Market

There aren’t any real night markets in Xining, but the food streets and shopping malls in commercial areas also offer night services. You can try local food and snacks at food streets or go shopping at the malls.

Commercial Areas in Xining

Shopping in Xining is not a wise choice. Generally speaking, the goods here mostly serve as a supply on the Qinghai-Tibet line. Xining’s most prosperous places are mainly in the areas of Ximenkou (西门口), Dashi (大什字) and Xinning Square (新宁广场). Among them, locals like to hang out in the area of Landmark Business Street (大力盟商业街). 

Food Streets in Xining

• Mojiajie Street 莫家街: Mojiajie Street, which is very famous in Xining, is considered as the “Dining Paradise” in Xining. Mojiajie Street is the oldest gourmet street in Xining. The most famous restaurant should be Mazhong Restaurant where a great variety of food can be found. It is bustling with booths providing snacks, fruits, and even souvenirs.
  Address: Mojie Street, Chengxi District, Xining
• Shujingxiang Lane 水井巷:As the busiest food street, Shuijingxiang Lane is also an old Business Street of Xining. Almost all dishes and snacks of Xining can be found on this street. Located in central Xining, it packs all Xining foods such as Roasted Mutton, Bean Jelly, Boiled Mutton, etc.  Shuijingxiang Lane gets a nick name “Small Hong Kong” because of its tasty food. Xining people have a strong love of pasta. 
  Address: Business Street, Shuijing Lane, Chengzhong District, Xining
• Daxin Food Street 大新美食街:Daxin Food Street is one of the most famous food streets in Xining. It not only has good and inexpensive food of various styles, but also offers the unique flavor of Xining. It is full of stalls, with western flavor, basically featuring halal, beef and mutton dishes. Sea food is also available there.
  Address: Chengzhong District
• Yinma Street 饮马街: The opposite side of Mojiajie Street is another food street, called Yinma Street. Yinma Street is famous for its hotpot. If you want to have hotpot, you can go there. It is very popular among tourists.
  Address: Opposite Mojiajie Street

Bars in Xining

There are two bar streets in Xining City:  Wenmiao Street (文庙酒吧街) and Fayuan Street (法院街酒吧街), with many bars and clubs serving for the mordern nightlife of Xining.

• MIX88 Bar
  Add:  457 Qiyi Rd, Chengzhong, Xining 七一路457号
  Tel:0971 -820 8898
• The Left Bank Music Bar(左岸音乐酒吧)
  Add: No. 39, Nanguan Street 南关街39号
  Tel:0971 -8230316
• The 21st Century Bar(21世纪音乐酒吧)
  Add: South Street 南大街
  Tel:/
• Fanhua Bar(繁花酒吧)
  Add: No. 130, Xiguan Street, Chengxi District 城西 西关大街130号
  Tel: 18997351446

Coffee Shops in Xining

• Green House Coffee Shop (古林房)
  Add: Banshanhuayuan Xiadu Da Jie 西宁市城东区夏都大道
  Tel: 0868-202710
• Coffee Top
  Add: Xiadu Da Jie 西宁市城东区夏都大道
  Tel:187 0978 5067
• Amdo Cafe(安多咖啡)
  Add: 19 Ledu Rd, Chengdong, Xining
  Tel:  135 1975 0051
• Cafe Java (外滩十八号酒吧)
  Add: No. 47, Haiyan Road, Xining 西宁市海晏路47号
  Tel: 0971 -631 4012

Theaters in Xining

There are a couple of well-known theaters in Xining. Traditional performances are shows in Qinghai Theater, Xining Jiefang Theater and Xining People’s Theater. These theaters are mostly for movies, though they can also be transformed to showcase live cultural performances including opera. Pingxian Drama (平弦) is one type of drama in Qinghai. With euphemistical and fair-sounding tune, Qinghai Pingxian is popular among the local people. You can watch this drama in Qinghai Drama and Art Theater which is located at No.35 of West Street (Xi Da Jie).

• Qinghai Theater (青海大剧院)
  Add: 31 Wusi St, Chengxi, Xining
  Tel:0971 -614 6561
• Xining Jiefang Theater (西宁解放剧场)
  Add: 19 Jiefang Lane, Chengzhong, Xining
  Tel: 0971-8248339
• Xining People’s Theater(西宁人民剧院)
  Add: West Street 
  Tel: 0971-8239681

Entertainment in Xining

There are many things for you to try for entertainment in Xining, such as visiting top Xining attractions, cycling around Qinghai Lake, try horse-riding or pay a family visit to Tibetan houses, ect.

Cycling around Qinghai Lake

Cycling around the Qinghai Lake is also a good way to enjoy the full around beautiful scenery of the lake. You can rent a bike and start your biking, it is better to join a group arranged by travel agency. If you want to tour around Qinghai Lake at ease and comfort, we have Qinghai Lake Horse Riding Tour recommended to you. There is also annually held event in Qinghai Lake: Qinghai Lake International Road Cycling Race . The event is held during the period from July to August every year since 2002. Co-organized by Qinghai Provincial Government, Union Cycliste Internationale, UCI Asia Tour and Chinese Cycling Association, it is the largest international road cycling race and top of its kind in Asia. The participants increase every year.

Try Horse Riding

Horse riding is a popular tourist activity in Qinghai Province, Xining is no different. You should try horse riding on the vast green grassland to have a new and special experience as well as enjoying the impressive grassland view. Every year, Horse Racing Festival is held in Xining, if you travel to Xining at the right time, you may have the chance to watch the grand competition.

Winter Festival and Hot Spring Spa

Winter in Xining is the second busiest with tourists for it is the best time for skiing and other activities at Ice and Snow Fetsival. It is usually held from late December to early Feb, lasting a month and half. Winter sports and entertainments are the highlights of the festival, such as skiing competition, ice sculpture and hot springs, etc. Holiday Inn Xining Hot-Spring is recommened to you.

More about Hot Springs and Spas in Xining

Visit a Tibetan Family

Tibetans are one of the major ethnic groups in Xining. Visiting a local family is a good chance to learn about their lives. Arriving at the local house, you may find the yak dungs piled in the yard. They are stored for fuel. Entering into the house, and you will be warmly welcomed by the family in Tibetan way. You may find it enjoyable to chat with the hospitable Tibetan people. Butter tea and Zanba will be served. Don’t forget to have a taste, or you could consult the owner how to make them.