Xīníng

Xining stands in the valley of the Huang River, at the eastern gateway to the Tibetan Plateau. Roads from Gansu converge here before climbing toward the high pastures and the country around Qinghai Lake. The town brought together merchants and communities of different languages and faiths, including Han, Hui, Tibetan and Mongol peoples. Its position between farming valleys and pastoral highlands made it a natural place for trade as well as a frontier stronghold.

The Ming established a garrison at Xining and strengthened its walls. In 1397 the tea and horse office was moved here from Qinzhou, placing an important exchange with the peoples of the borderlands under official supervision. Tea from the interior was exchanged for horses, and trade helped connect the town with communities across the plateau. South of Xining, a shrine at the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelug school, grew into Kumbum Monastery; a Maitreya hall was built there in 1577.

In the early eighteenth century the Qing faced a revolt led by the Mongol prince Lobzang Danjin in the Qinghai region. After suppressing it, the court reorganised the administration around Xining, replacing the military garrison with a prefecture and appointing officials to manage affairs in the surrounding lands. Xining remained a meeting point for soldiers, traders and pilgrims travelling between Gansu and the plateau.