Qinghai Amdo Tibetan Buddhist Relics Tour – 11 Days
Amdo is one of the three traditional regions of Tibet, the other two being UTsang and Kham.Amdo was and is the home of many important Tibetan Buddhist monks (or lamas), scholars who had a major influence on both politics and religious development of Tibet.Amdo consists of all of former northeastern Tibet, including the upper reaches of the Yellow River, and the great lake of Koko Nor. Its southern border is the Bayan Kara mountain range.Amdo was traditionally a place of great learning and scholarship and contains many great monasteries including Kumbum Jampa Ling (Ta’er Monastery) near Xining, Labrang Tashi Khyil south of Lanzhou, and the Kirti Monasteries of Ngaba and Taktsang Lhamo in Dzoge County.
Day 01: Arrive Beijing.
Fly to Beijing from your home and be met by your tour guide at the ariport, then transfer to hotel.
Day 02: Beijing-Xining
Transfer to airport for morning flight to Xining. Transfer to hotel. Xining is the capital of Qinghai Province at an altitude of 2200 meters. Enjoy a tour of the city.
Day 03: Xining-Koko Nor Lake-Xining
Drive to Kumbum Monastery(Ta’er Monastery). This is one of the six largest Yellow Sect(Gelukpa) Monasteries in China, and the birthplace of its founder, Tsongkhapa. It is well known for three unique Tibetan Buddhist Arts: murals, embossed embroidery, and yak butter sculptures. In afternoon, continue driving to Qinghai Lake. This is the largest saltwater lake in China. It covers an area of 4500 square kilometers, with vast beautiful pasturelands edging the lake, surrounded by mountains both of earth and sand. Explore the southeastern end of the lake then return to Xining via Sun and Moon Pass, one of the most important spots in both Chinese and Tibetan history. Stay at same hotel.
Day 04: Xining-Ledu
Drive to Ledu and visit Qutan Monastery, built in 1387 and noted for its storied murals. Also visit Liuwan Cemetery, the public burial site of a primitive society 4000 years ago with numerous fragments of unearthed pottery throughout the site. Stay in Ledu.
Day 05: Ledu-Lijiaxia
Drive through grasslands and up into the mountains to Xiaqiong Monastery, perched on a cliff overlooking the Yellow River. This is one of the oldest monasteries in Qinghai, built in 1349 by Tsongkhapas first teacher. Tsongkhapa studied scriptures at this monastery for nine years. In the afternoon, drive on to Lijia Gorge.
Day 06: Lijiaxia Gorge-Nangzhong Monastery
Drive to Kangbala National Natural Forest Park. Enjoy the scenery of red mountains, green forests, and strange stone pillars edging the Yellow River Valley. Visit Nangzong Monastery (Red sect), a holy shrine for the revival of Buddhism in the 9th century. Then visit Nangzong Nunnery (Red sect) which is well know for its long history and many nuns in residence.
Day 07: Nangzhong Monastery-Tongren
Drive to Tongren, the most influential center of Tibetan Buddhist Arts, famous for its Thangka Painting, Clay Sculptures, and Appliqu. Stay at Tongren.
Day 08: Tongren Sightseeing
Visit Longwu Monastery, built in 1301. This is the leading Yellow sect monastery in the Tongren region. Then visit Wutun Monastery which is regarded as Regong Arts School. View the incredible Thangkas throughout the monastery and visit the home of a Thangka painter to experience an artist at work. In afternoon, visit Guomar Big Pagoda, the largest pagoda in the Amdo area. Stay at same hotel.
Day 09: Tongren-Xiahe
Take a short drive to Xunhua and visit Wendu Village, the birthplace of the Tenth Panchen Lama. Then visit Wendu Monastery. This is a Yellow sect monastery with a Memorial Hall for the Tenth Panchen Lama. Xunhua is a large Muslim area, known for its spicy hot chili peppers. Visit Camel Spring, the ancestral shrine of the Salar Muslims. Also visit Gaizi Mosque, an Arabian-style mosque first built in the Ming Dynasty. In afternoon, drive through the Gangya Grasslands to Xiahe. Stay in Xiahe.
Day 10: Xiahe-Lanzhou
Visit Labrang Monastery, one of the leading Yellow sect monasteries, well-known as a great monastic university. In the afternoon, drive to Lanzhou. Stay in Lanzhou.
Day 11: Lanzhou Departure
Send you to airport for departure.
