The Tu (Monguor) people — a small ethnic group numbering around 240,000 — live primarily in the Huzhu area northeast of Xining. Their traditions include the distinctive panzhu embroidery (rainbow-coloured concentric ring patterns applied to clothing and decorative objects), a unique form of "nadun" harvest festival, and a Tibetan Buddhist practice that incorporates older shamanic elements. The Huzhu Wuzhan Scenic Area, about 65 kilometres from Xining, provides access to traditional Tu villages and cultural demonstrations.
The Tu are little known outside Qinghai but represent one of the distinct cultural survivals of the region — a people with a language (related to Mongolian but distinct) and material culture that doesn't fit neatly into the standard categories. The Folk Customs Museum in Xining has a good Tu section. A day trip to Huzhu combines well with a visit to one of the area's hot springs.