Day 1: Xining – Kumbum Monastery – Qinghai Lake – Chabcha / Gonghe [3200m] 210km / 4 hours
In the morning drive to Kumbum Monastery which is located 25km west of Xining City. After spending about 2 hours in the monastery, we will take the scenic route to Dzongkar Lhatse. Enjoy first view of the Tibetan plateau landscape from the top of high mountain. Then we continue our Qinghai journey by driving to the south shore of Qinghai Lake, the largest lake in China. Afterwards drive up to the green hills above Qinghai Lake to enjoy a breathtaking scenery of the lake sunset. Overnight at Chabcha / Gonghe.
Kumbum Monastery in Qinghai
Day 2: Gonghe – Mount Amnye Machen [4100m] 340km / 6 hours
Our morning begins by driving from Gonghe county to the sacred Mount Amnye Machen. This 320 km road takes around 6 driving hours. We will have several stops on the way to enjoy the view or to watch wildlife. Mount Amnye Machen is the highest mountain in Qinghai Province. We will camp at the bottom of the snow mountain where you can enjoy sunset and sunrise of this majestic peak.
Camping tour in Qinghai
Option: One extra day at the Mount Amnye Machen will allow you to explore and hike some part of the mountain.
Day 3: Mt. Amnye Machen – Ragya Monastery – Gui’de [2205m] 360km / 7 hours
After enjoying mountain sunrise we will drive to the north side of the mount Amnye Machen. It is one of Tibet’s most sacred mountains and is revered by both Buddhists and Bon adherents. The protecter deity Machen Pomra is said to reside in this area. The pilgrimage circuit around the mountain is popular among Bon and Buddhists followers.
Mount Amnye Machen, the holiest mountains in eastern Tibetan Plateau.
Afterwards we will drive to Gui’de via Machen and Ragya Monastery, stopping by the red clay canyons. Tonight, we will spend the night at the shore of Yellow River which is the lowest town of Qinghai province.
Ragya Monastery in Golog, Qinghai Province.
Day 4: Guide / Trika – Kanbula National Park – Achung Namdzong Nunnery – Xining [2200m] 180km, 4 hours
Today we will drive to Kanbula national park. Once you enter the park, the scenic views start changing from red clay mountains to forest and greenish hills. Here we will visit Achung Namdzong Nunnery . It consist of two parts: the nunnery which is nested in the deep valley and the Compassion Buddha Temple on the peak of a narrow and steep red clay mountain.
Achung Namdzong Nunnery in Kanbula National Park, Qinghai province.
Then we will continue driving up to the mountain. After passing by local Tibetan villages, we will see a unique lake made of hydro power station . This turquoise lake is one of the highlight of the trip and common day trip destination from Xining. Then we will drive across the yellow river and reach holy Shachung Monastery. This monastery is one of the oldest monastery in Qinghai but also one of the most beautiful monasteries in east side of Yellow River. Shachung monastery has been playing an important role in buddhism in Qinghai Province and especially famous as a place where Lama Tsongkhapa, a great master of Tibetan Buddhism, received his first monastic vows.
Kanbula National Park
Day 5: Depart Xining
Our guide will drop you off at airport or train station. End of the tour.
Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice.
