Spots:Free Program

Welcome to Xining! You will be picked up by local tour guide at the airport hall or train station, and then be escorted to your hotel in Xining city in a private vehicle.

Situated on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, this lively and hugely diverse provincial capital makes a good base from which to dive into the surrounding sights and on to the more remote regions of Qinghai and beyond. There's superb food and a scattering of tempting cafes as well as an outstanding museum of Tibetan culture, some beautiful temples and mosques, plus the remains of the old city wall.

Spots:Ta'er Monastery, Qinghai Museum, Dongguan Grand Mosque

Whole day’s city tour in Xining, visit the famous Ta'er Monastery in the morning, the birthplace of the Tibetan Buddhism master - Tsongkhapa who was the founder of Gelug sect. The monastery is also famous as one of "six monasteries of Gelug", and a very important institute to learn Buddhism, Astronomy and Medicine. You must not miss the "three treasures of the monastery": mural, barbola and butter sculptures. Every year, there are many Buddhist ceremonies organized here.

In the afternoon, drive back to Xining to visit Qinghai Museum and Dongguan Grand Mosque, Qinghai Museum features in three exhibition centers: Qinghai Protoculture, Qinghai Ethnic Collections and Tibetan Buddhism Arts.  As for Dongguan Grand Mosque, it has been a Muslim cummunity for centuries. The mosque is one of "Four Greatest Mosques in China", other three are Xian Huajue Moque, Lanzhou Qiaomen Mosque and Kashgar Id Kah Mosque, also an important institution of Islamic study. It was built in 1380, Ming Dynasty.

Spots:Longwu Monastery

Drive for 125 miles to Tongren in the morning. In the 15-16 century, the Tibetan Buddhism of Gelukpa Sect (Yellow Sect) came into  Tongren. Painting, sculptures and stone inscription for Buddhism are sprang up by Tibetan and near the Guchu River at Tongren along with the rise of Buddhism and the construction of monasteries.Upon arrival you will visit Longwu Monastery of Gelukpa sect which was initially constructed in Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) as a monastery of Sakya-sect, and Wutun village the center of Repkong Buddhist Art which is a successful mixture of religious art and local folk art. 

Spots:Goumary Gonpa Monastery, Buddha display

Set off to experience a fantastic view of perhaps the biggest breakfast in the world this morning. Local Tibetans bring their milk tea and breakfast in the monastery and talk about their stories happened last year and exchange their ambition for the coming year.

Today's highlight is the grand ceremony of Sunning the Buddha at the Goumary Gonpa Monastery,Tibetans traditionally place a huge painting or embroidery of the Buddha Tangka on the slope of a hill to give blessings to all people participating. Ensuing along the hill, the marvelous thangka unrolled on the hill ridge, showing to pray to the Buddha for blessings. All the monks and believers gathering together, pray for peace and happiness.

Spots:Cham dancing at Wutun Monasteries

Enjoy the Cham dancing at Wutun Monasteries, the Cham dance calls on traditions that date back more than 500 years. Cham performances and ceremonies feature sacred masked dances, sacred music, healing chants and spectacular richly ornamented multi-colored costumes. The dancers use symbolic hand gestures known as mudras to transmit healing powers from the deities. With accompanying narration and a monastic debate demonstration, the program provides a fascinating and warm glimpse into ancient and current Tibetan culture.

Spots:Gomar village Monks Cham Dance Ritual

Today will drive back to Gomar village again and visit the monastery and then watch Monks Cham Dance Ritual today. This is one of  the best place to photograph Cham Dance as it is a relatively small event with not so many tourists. You can move close to the performers and watch the Cham close by.

Then drive through the heart of Amdo–Tibet nomadic areas. You can see how Tibetan nomads encounter with harsh environment. You will have great opportunity to photograph yaks and sheep in the snow. You may also have an opportunity to visit a nomadic family to see how they live. Once arrive in Langmusi, checked in hotel. And, if time allows, you can make a short hike on the hill behind the monastery to have an overview of this valley or wander inside this unique town.

Spots:Langmusi Monastery

The whole Langmusi Monastery is like a small town. The Grand Hall does not have any enclosing walls. The murals, the painted red columns and the tranquil surrounding are all awe-inspiring. Then you can visit Gerdi Monastery which faces Langmusi monastery across a river. If we are lucky,you can see the Mortal Body Bodhisattva in Gerdi Monastery. what's more, you will have a chance to see the famous Sky Funeral terrace of the Tibetans if there is a ceremony to be held on the day when you are just visiting at this Tibetan town.

Afterwards, proceed to Xiahe.

Spots: Labrang monastery

In the morning visit the big Labrang monastery, the most important religious centre on the northeast border of the Tibet region. The monastery created in 1710, as one of the six grand monasteries in Tibet area, has served for centuries there to connect the Tibetan and Mongolian. Another highlight of our tour to Xiahe in the morning: visit the grand circuit together with thousands of pilgrims and monks at Labrang to make a round walk of the monastery with the huge statue of Maitreya, Buddha of the Future.

After that you leave Xiahe for Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province. 

Spots:Free Program

Today is free for you until your tour guide transfer you to the airport in time for your flight or drop you off at the airport.

You can hang out around Lanzhou City to experience local conditions and customs,you can go to take a walking along the Yellow River, even cruise on the river. or hike up to the top of the White Pagoda Mountain to enjoy the fresh air, beautiful scenery.