Xining, Capital city in Qinghai, China
Xining is the capital of Qinghai Province in western China, sitting at roughly 2,275 meters (7,463 feet) above sea level on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The urban area unfolds along the Huangshui River valley, with dry hills and distant mountain ranges framing the horizon around the built-up zone.
The settlement arose during the Han Dynasty as a trading post on the northern branch of the Silk Road that ran through the Hexi Corridor. Over the centuries that followed, it grew into a regional center facilitating exchange between the Chinese heartland and the western borderlands.
The city contains both the Dongguan Mosque and Kumbum Monastery, reflecting the convergence of Muslim and Buddhist communities in this high-altitude region.
The city is linked by rail to several Chinese metropolises, while Caojiabao Airport sits roughly 28 kilometers (17 miles) from the center. The elevation can cause initial fatigue or mild breathing difficulty for some travelers, so a gentle adjustment period after arrival is advisable.
In May 1927 a magnitude 7.6 earthquake shook the region, leading to widespread loss and destruction. Reconstruction after that disaster fundamentally reshaped the cityscape and informed the modern infrastructure visible today.
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