Xining China's new built concrete colony

After a 24 hours ride by the Qingsang railway we got off in Xining for one day. A stopover which gave us the change to visit a completely new built mega town in China's province Qinghai. Xining is an example of China's jumping way into the modern future.

Xining is located on the eastern edge of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the upper reaches of Huangshui River. It is the political, economic, scientific and technological, cultural and traffic center of Qinghai Province with an average altitude of over 2200 meters. The activities of human beings in this region can be traced to 2,100 years ago. During the Western and Eastern Han Dynasties, owing to its developing agriculture, Xining was paid more attention due to its economic and martial significance. As well as being the important hinge between the central plains and the western part of China in ancient time, Xining was the most common passing channel of the famous Silk Road. Until now, it is still the only road by which to enter the hinterland of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. At present, five districts, three counties and a national economic and technological development zone are under the administration of the local government. With a population of more than two million, Xining is the first city on the upper reaches of the Yellow River to achieve a population into the millions. There are about 37 nationalities living here, including Han, Hui, Tu and Tibetan. The local traditions and customs are influenced by these distinctive nationalities, in particular the Hui (Muslim) and Tibetan group. Xining is also called the Summer Resort Capital of China for its cool summer. The region also provides a number of attractions making a visit to the area well worth considering. The scenery of the Qinghai Lake, situated within Xining, provides an escape from fervent cities and allows you to experience beautiful natural sceneries. The Birds Island, situated on the northwest of Qinghai Lake, is waiting to present you with an extensive array of birds. To the southwest of Xining, is the birthplace of the founder of the Gelugpa Sect; an important Tibetan Buddhist monastery, Kumbum was built there. Dongguan Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in northern China.

Xining is a new built city. A major earthquake occurred 22nd of May 1927 and measured 8.6 on Richter scale. It was one of the deadliest earthquakes with a total count of 200,000 deaths. It also caused large land fractures.

When we arrived Xining on a Friday the road to downtown seemed to be not busy. Many of its population of Xining are Muslims and Friday is their holiday to go to the mosques for to pray.

This 36 hectare park was created after the establishment of the PRC. The facilities here include a zoo, an artificial lake, an outdoor theater, children's playing areas, a dining room and a teahouse. Huxian Mountain and Huxin Pavilion sit in the center of the lake looked over by a 200 meter long corridor designed to ensure that visitors have the most picturesque views of the park.

Some buildings in Chinese style are overwhelmed with grey high buildings around. The City People's Park and the Namsan Park downtown give a breath for the urban citizen to relax in this concrete colony.

More than 2 Mill. people living in Xining. Although the cities downtown itself has a strong Islamic flavor, it is home to many Han, Hui and also some Tibetan people.

The city skyline only shows modern buildings. Xining is a new built town after the earthquake in 1927 smashed nearly all houses.

When we visitors walked through the park we sometimes got the impression of a future technology center. The towns citizen show a bit individualism in Park by their outfit and the kind of activity levels they do.