Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Xinning Arrival
   Ta'er Monastery

   Welcome to Xining (altitude: 2,261m), the capital of Qinghai Province. Upon arrival at Xining Caojiabao Airport, your driver and guide will meet you at the exit and transfer you to visit Ta'er Monastery, the center of Tibetan Buddhist activity in Northwest China.

   This monastery is one of the Six Famous Monasteries of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, featuring butter sculpture, murals, and barbola. The butter sculpture, in particular, looks quite lifelike.

   

   After the visit, you will be escorted to your downtown hotel. After checking in, the rest of the day is for you to acclimatize to the altitude and explore this historical city on your own.

   Accommodation: in Xining

2. Day 2: Xining - Mt. Lajishan
   Hike Near Laji Mountain

   After breakfast, you will be driven to Laji Mountain, known in Tibetan as "Gongmaola", which means the place where Gala Chicken (Shi Chicken) resides. When summer comes, the slopes of the mountain are full of green grass, colorful flowers, herds of cattle and sheep, and melodious pastoral songs, which provide an excellent environment for people who want to get away from the hustle and bustle.

   

   You will hike past red rock formations to a high hill, from which you can see a stunning view of the valley. After the hike, drive you back to the hotel in Xining.

   Accommodation: in Xining

3. Day 3: Xinning - Tongren
   Kanbula National Forest Park, Nanzong Buddhist Nunnery, A Local Tibetan Village

   Drive 1.5 hours from Xining to Kanbula National Forest Park, with the awe-inspiring Yellow River flowing slowly through. It’s the first national geopark in Qinghai with the Danxia landform as its main landscape, featuring a great number of natural wonders such as deep caves, lofty cliffs, grotesque peaks, dozens of wild animals, and rich plant resources.

   

   Go to see the Nanzong Buddhist Nunnery, and take a short hike to visit a small Tibetan village.

   After all visits, we will transfer to Tongren (a 2-hour drive) for the night.

   Accommodation: in Tongren

4. Day 4: Tongren - Xining
   Longwu Monastery, Wutun Temple, Regong Painting School

   Today, a Tibetan cultural experience is arranged for you by visiting Longwu Monastery first, which is a richly decorated Tibetan temple, housing various fine arts and precious cultural relics, like exquisite Buddha statues, murals, embroidery, Thangka paintings, as well as vast Buddhist scriptures.

   

   Then head for Wutun Temple, the birthplace of "Regong Art", where most monks are good at painting, clay sculpture and carving. Finishing the visit, move forward to a local Regong Painting School to witness the scene of local people creating Thangka paintings on site. Here you can try to make a Thangka painting. (Charging an extra fee)

   Drive you back to Xining after that.

   Accommodation: in Xining

   

5. Day 5: Xining Departure

   After enjoying breakfast, your driver will escort you to Xining Airport or train station for departure.

   Accommodation: N/A