7-Day Qinghai Regong Buddhist Culture Group Tour

Meals: No meals
Accommodation: In Xining

Arrive in Xining and transfer to the hotel for check-in. At an altitude of 2,261 meters, Xining has a generally mild climate but marked temperature differences between day and night, so pack warm clothing. You may explore the city independently and try local cuisine.

Note: Please do not do strong exercises especially soon after landing on the highland. The temperature of Xining drops below 0 degree centigrade when in winter and spring. Please drink enough water and take good rest.

Ledu Qutan Temple

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Tongren City

After breakfast, visit Ledu Qutan Temple for about one hour. Established in 1392 during the Ming dynasty, this Gelugpa temple is sometimes called the “Forbidden City of Qinghai” and is known for its historic murals.

After lunch, meet Tongren Regong Artists and take part in the Tongren Regong Art Experience. Regong art experience. Regong art was added to China's national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006 and includes murals, thangka painting, embroidery, wood carving and stone carving.

Tongren Regong Art Experience

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: In Xunhua County

We will drive to Longwu Temple (about 1hr after breakfast, where the Regong Art originated. In its peak time, the temple had 35 small subsidiary temples and occupied 380 mu. Then we will visit the Shangxiawutun Temple (about 2hrs). Many previous and typical Regong arts are collected in this temple. It's also called the school of Regong Art.

After lunch, we will drive to Xunhua County and have a taste of Sala Home Feast as dinner. Sala Autonomous County of Xunhua is located at the edge of the Qinghai – Tibet Plateau. It has a unique geographical environment with high terrain in the south and low in the north, surrounded by mountains and valleys. It is one of the areas with a relatively low altitude in Qinghai. The Sala ethnic group, the unique ethnic group in Qinghai, believes in Islam. They came all the way from Samarkand in Central Asia to the western part of China and multiplied here, creating their own culture. The ‘Sala Home Feast' we will taste is an important part of their food culture.

Shangxiawutun Temple

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Guide County

We will visit the Xunhua Luotuo Spring (about 1hr) after breakfast. Luotuo Spring (meaning camel spring in Chinese) is regarded as a holy spring for Sala nation. There is a story saying that the ancestors of Sala nation were saved by a white camel which led them to a spring. Then we will continue to the Kanbula National Forest Park (about 3.5hrs). Covering an area of 152 square kilometers (15,200 hectares), the park is famous for its unique landform of red gravel rocks, and features forest vegetation, lofty mountains, soaring peaks crystal water and Tibetan culture.

Drive to Guide County after lunch and visit the Yellow River Square (about 30mins). Guide is regarded as the “Jiangnan of Highland” and the back garden of Xining. Later we will go to hotel for check-in.

Kanbula National Forest Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Chaka Town

Today, visit Ashigong Scenic Site after breakfast, allowing about three hours for sightseeing and travel. The park's Danxia landforms developed around 120 million years ago, and the canyon is lined with mountains in varied shapes and colors.

After lunch, continue to Qinghai Lake for about two hours; the scenic-area bus and boat are not included. Qinghai Lake is China's largest inland lake and largest saltwater lake. Later, proceed to Chaka Town for a roast whole-lamb feast and a lively bonfire party hosted by local herders.

Ashigong Scenic Site

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Xining

After breakfast, spend about 2.5 hours at Chaka Salt Lake. The scenic area's small train, shuttle buses and cruise boats are not included. The smallest of the four major salt lakes in the Qaidam Basin, Chaka was also the earliest developed and has a salt-mining history of more than 3,000 years. Across the lake, working salt-mining vessels, small trains and white salt mounds reveal both the landscape and the region's mineral resources. Afterwards, drive to Xining.

Chaka Salt Lake

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to the airport according to your flight's departure time.

Service Ends.