Ta'er Monastery | A must-visit spot for a half-day tour in Xining

A must-visit spot for a half-day tour in Xining. Xining is an underrated tourist city. If you only have half a day in Xining due to a transfer to Tibet or other reasons, I highly recommend visiting Ta'er Monastery! 📚Ta'er Monastery Trivia: In Tibetan, Ta'er Monastery is called 'Gomang Dratsang', which means 'Maitreya Temple with a hundred thousand lions roaring'. The stupa was built before the monastery, hence the name Ta'er Monastery. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug school (Yellow Sect) of Tibetan Buddhism, and has also been shortlisted for the 'Magical Northwest Top 100 Scenic Spots'. The monastery currently has over 9,300 rooms, covering an area of more than 600 acres, with 25 halls. 🎫Ticket Price: 70 RMB 🕙Opening Hours: Summer 7:30-18:30; Winter 8:00-16:30 📍Navigation: Huangzhong County Tibetan Hospital (The ticket office is next to the hospital) 🚌Transportation: It takes two hours by bus No. 909 from Xining Station, with a fare of 4 RMB; a taxi from the city center costs about 60 RMB. It's cheaper to share a ride if you are traveling alone. ⌚Recommended Visiting Time: At least 2 hours 👏Highly Recommended: If possible, hire a guide (I listened in on a guide 😜). Ta'er Monastery is well worth understanding for its butter sculptures, murals, and embroidery, which are known as the 'Three Wonders of Ta'er Monastery Art'. In addition, the monastery also treasures many Buddhist scriptures and academic works. ❗❗Important Notes: 1. The altitude of Xining is over 2,000 meters, which is not high; walking slowly and breathing slightly heavily is normal. 2. Dress appropriately, which is applicable when visiting temples and Taoist temples. 3. There are colorful braids for sale at the entrance, usually three for 10 RMB. 4. It's not easy to get a taxi back to the city center after the visit; you can negotiate with the driver, and a fare not exceeding 80 RMB is reasonable, with 70 RMB being the best. You can also look for someone to share a ride back. 5. Maintain reverence! Photography is prohibited inside the monastery, including Buddha statues and murals. 🤗Impression: If you only have half a day in Xining, I really recommend coming here. The monastery has numerous buildings with unique styles. Anyway, of all the monasteries I saw on my way to Tibet, Ta'er Monastery left the deepest impression on me. There are many more Tibet travel tips on my homepage, wishing everyone a pleasant journey~