what to eat

Yogur
Yogurt in Xining is really very famous. Different from the yogurt you usually bought from supermarket. Xining yogurt isn"t liquid, but solid, which is just like "tofu nao".
Yogurt is a must as breakfast when you arrive in Xining. Yogurt is made by Muslim families and is served in small bowls for one yuan. Yogurt is a delicious food which you can not taste in other places. You can"t miss it. 
 

Mutton Eaten with Fingers
Mutton Eaten with Fingers is another famous snack in Qinghai Province which is loved by Hui people very much.
Mutton Eaten with Fingers is made of fresh mutton and served with a little salt. Customers picked the mutton up and ate it with fingers in the past. Though now customers no longer eat mutton with fingers, this snack is still called Mutton Eaten with fingers. 
 

Niangpizi
Niangpizi is a popular snack which is made of flour and baking soda. Some of the Niangpizi is bright, and some of them are clean like the jade.
Niangpizi is both delicious and economical. It always serves quickly. You can get one in one or two minutes.
This snack is sour and hot, pliant and tough and good to eat. It can be found anywhere and anytime in Xining for four-yuan. The most famous version of this snack is called Mazhong Niangpi.

what to buy

Dong Chong Xia Cao
Dong Chong Xia Cao means "Chinese Caterpillar Fungus". Dong Chong Xia Cao is a famous local product in Xining.
There are many functions of Dong Chong Xia Cao:
It is used for strengthening the immune system, reducing the effects of aging, and promoting longevity; it is used to treat coughs, chronic bronchitis, respiratory disorders, kidney disorders, frequent nocturia, male sexual dysfunction, anemia, heart arrhythmias, high cholesterol, dizziness, weakness, tinnitus, wasting, and opium addiction; it is also used as a stimulant, a tonic, and an adaptogen which is used to increase energy, enhance stamina, and reduce fatigue.

Snow Lotus
Snow Lotus, also called "Snow Water Lily", belongs to the species of herbs. Uigur call it "Tagle Tirith", which means "the King of Herbs".
It will take 6 to 8 years from germination to blossom. When the last summer comes in July and August, Snow Lotus blossoms on cliffs in the Tianshan Mountain. As a rare, valuable alpine plant native to the region, the Tianshan snow lotus grows in areas at least 3,000 meters above the sea level, and with a very low reproductive rate.
Snow Lotus is considered as the best of medicinal herbs of Xining

What to do in the evening

One of the most luxurious recreation venues in Xining is in the Qinghai Hotel. The Health Center of the Qinghai Hotel includes a gymnasium, a sauna, a beauty salon, and a rooftop viewing area, all of which will lessen your fatigue. If on the other hand, you still feel energetic and are looking for a more colorful nightlife in Xining, we recommend the Guotai Club (Wenhua Road; No.1 bus) which is equipped with Disco and KTV. Another place is the Furonghua International Recreation Center (No.58, Shengli Lu). It opened in 2005, and is decorated in classical European style with performing hall, KTV, and MIX slow-dancing bar.

weather
Located in the northwestern China, Xining is considered to be a summer resort with its continental highland semiarid climate. So in summer, from May to September, it is the best time to go there. The annual average temperature of Xining is about 6.5C (43.7F) while in January the temperature drops to only -8.9C (16F) and in July it reaches the high of 17.2C (63F) on average. Attributed to the high altitude, the region is encircled in low air pressure weather systems and as such receives high-levels of ultra-violet radiation, so it is very important for visitors to be prepared with a high factor sun block to defend against sun burn. Another typical climate feature of this region is that the temperature fluctuates widely between day and night. Therefore, several warm garments are also a necessity in your trip.