Xining (traditional Chinese 西寧, ex. 西宁, pinyin: Xīníng, Tib. ཟི་ལིང་།, Wylie Zi-ning) is an urban district in Qinghai Province of China, the seat of the provincial government. The name means “Western calm” and comes from the name of the administrative unit that existed in the Middle Ages, whose authorities were located in these places.

History
Under the Western Han Empire in 121 BC. e. After General Huo Qubin defeated the western nomads and annexed their lands to the Han Empire, a military post was established in these places. Under the Eastern Han Empire, the Xiping District (西平郡) was established, the authorities of which were located in the Xidu County (西都县) formed in these places. After the collapse of the Han Empire into three states, these lands became part of the Wei kingdom, and in 222 a fortified city was built here.
In the era of 5 dynasties and 16 kingdoms, these places changed hands as a result of wars between short-lived state entities. In 397, the state of Southern Liang was formed, the capital of which was originally located in these places; in 414 it was annexed by Western Qin. Under the Northern Wei Empire, the Shanzhou (鄯州) region was created in 526, and these places became part of it.
Under the Tang Empire, as a result of the rebellion of An Lushan, the borders of the state were left defenseless, and these places were captured by the Tibetans in 761. After the end of the civil war and the restoration of the country, these places were again captured by the Tang Empire in 851.
After the fall of the Tang Empire, these places were again captured by the Tibetans, but after the formation of the Song Empire, they again came under Chinese control. In 1104, the Shanzhou region was renamed Xining (西宁州).
In 1227, these places were captured by the Mongols. After the fall of the Mongol Yuan Empire, these places came under the control of the Chinese Ming Empire, and the Xining region was transformed into the Xining Guard (西宁卫) in 1373. In 1386, a powerful fortified city was erected here, the walls of which were 16 meters high and 16 meters thick.
Under the Qing Empire, after the Khoshut rebellion was suppressed, the Xining Guard was transformed in 1724 into the Xining Administration (西宁府), which is part of Gansu Province. In 1829, 3 districts and 4 commissariats were subordinate to the Sining Council; the government was located in Xining County (西宁县). China reformed after the Xinhai Revolution administrative division, and in 1913 the Sining Council was disbanded.
In 1929, Qinghai Province was established, and Xining County was designated as the seat of its government. In 1945, the urbanized part of Xining County was separated into a separate city of Xining, and in 1946, Xining County was renamed Huangzhong.
In 1960, the counties of Huangzhong and Datong, as well as the Huzhu-Tu Autonomous County, came under the jurisdiction of Xining, but in 1961 they were again transferred under the direct control of the provincial authorities. In 1965, Datong County again came under the jurisdiction of the Xining authorities.
In 1985, by a decree of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Datong County was transformed into Datong Hui Tu Autonomous County. On December 5, 1999, by a decree of the PRC State Council, Huangzhong and Huangyuan counties were transferred from Haidong County (海东地区) to the jurisdiction of Xining.

Customs
Tibetans do not eat dog, horse or donkey meat. If a tourist is offered a hada (traditional ceremonial scarf), one should take the scarf with both hands and hang it around the neck. Local Muslims do not eat pig meat, horses and dogs, do not smoke or drink alcohol.

Sights
– Dongguan Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the city and one of the largest in China.
– Temple of Tar (Ta’er) – Kumbum, the center of Buddhist activity in the Northwestern region. It is located 25 km southwest of Xining, covers an area of ​​660,000 m², and in its heyday had over 800 halls. The architecture of the temple combines traditional Chinese and Tibetan architectural styles. Founded in 1577 at the birthplace of Je Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.
Qinghai Lake is the largest salt lake in China.