Cement and asphalt roads link Xining with cities (Golmud, for instance) and towns in the province, as well as distant destinations in Tibet, Xinjiang and Sichuan. The long-distance bus station is at the northern end of Jianguo lu, about 600m south of the railway station (over the river). The ticket office also lies on Jianguo lu (Tel: 0971-8149506). Tickets are best bought one day in advance. If you plan on going to the Kumbum Monastery (Ta’er si), you should go to the other station on Xiguan dajie (see sight description for more). You could also try the private minibuses outside of the Xining Hotel, but negotiation over price is necessary (no more than RMB10).