China (Xining, Qinghai) Aug/Sep 2011

Map of Xining, Qinghai, China

Hostel: Sunshine Pagoda International Youth Hostel - Y100 (dorm x 2 nights)
Train: Yingchuan > Xining - Y81
Bus: Y13
Food & groceries: Y201
Entrance fee + Guide - Y70

Total cost incurred (3 days) : Y465 (Rm223)

1) Taer Si, Huangzhong (26km from Xining, Qinghai) - One of the 6 great monasteries (Tibetan Buddhism) in China. Admission fee Y30 ( seniors) + Guide fee Y20 (cost sharing for 3). Built in 1577. 6 temples are open for viewing (photography prohibited), drizzling at the time of my visit, invited by 3 of the local tourists from my youth hotel to join them in a hired car (cost sharing) to this famous temple & monastery in Qinghai, need 2-3 hours hours to visit this large monastery which has a Kalachakra Stupa, Assembly Hall, Longevity Hall & Defender of Buddhism Hall .... 

2) Qinghai Provincial Museum, Xining & Shuijing Xiang Market

3) Walkabout in Xining city, Qinghai 

4) Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum & Tibetan medicine Museum of China, Xining - entrance Y10 (seniors)

5) Dongguan Great Mosque, Xining, Qinghai - built during the 14th century

5) Xining West train station, Qinghai 

" Xining (2,275m), capital of Qinghai, Tibetan culture, Qinghai-Tibet train, Qinghai Hu, Ta'er Si - largest Lamastery, Great Tangka (longest wall mural), cold & arid, living Buddha, stupas - a city closer to fulfilling my dream to visit Tibet in 2012 ...."

The Secret of Life: " No matter what happens or how bad it seems today, life does go on and it will be better tomorrow "