Encounter Nomads and Tibetan Monks in China's Western Plateau

Bigger than any of the EU-member states, Qinghai is the province where the silk road meets the Tibetan plateau. Along its border with Gansu, Qinghai hosts not only Tibetan nomadic herders but also the Muslim traders that have made their home along the silk road. Sample this amazing rugged and culturally diverse region on our 7-day highlights tour. View the migration routes of Tibetan nomads with their herds of yaks traversing the high mountain passes.

Hike past majestic red cliffs and spend a spectacular night under the stars at the foot of a 4,267-metre mountain peak. Stay overnight in a Tibetan Homestay and experience the fullness of Tibetan hospitality over a cup of warm Tibetan tea and authentic Tibetan food.  Sample freshly made yak yogurt and take in the scent of burning juniper offerings in the bustling Tibetan town of Rebkong.

Wind your way through the labyrinth of alleys and monastery halls that make up the Long Wu monastery. Catch glimpses of yak butter candles burning as young monks debate philosophy and make offerings to the golden images of Buddha spread throughout this important cultural site.

Our one week trip from July 11-17, can’t possibly cover all that Qinghai and Gansu have to offer, but we will certainly enjoy the highlights. A cross between wilderness and cultural exploration, our journey will take us to national parks, secluded temples, and village homestays in a quest for authentic immersion.

Our first day will see us depart from Qinghai’s provincial capital Xining as we visit La Ji Shan (拉脊山) and its remote mountain monasteries. That evening, we’ll stargaze as we settle in along the banks of a decidedly blue Yellow River.

We’ll also visit the stunning and rarely visited Kanbula National Park, where the mountains take on many unique shapes and have a red glow due to the Danxia landform of the area. Here, we’ll explore Namzhong Nunnery and spend the night at a homestay with a local Tibetan family, experiencing their culture first hand.

The Tibetan Thangka Museum in Wutong Monastery has a collection of Thangka paintings that are centuries old. Thangka painting is a traditional Tibetan Buddhism painting that is painted on cotton or silk. It is highly geometric and colourful that serves an important place in Tibetan art. We’ll take a look at the amazing collections here and learn how they’re made.

We will also explore the incredibly beautiful and vast Rongwo Monastery. The monastery was built in 1301, and then expanded under the approval of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). This enormous complex faces east, greeting the sun, and is home to approximately 500 monks.

Finally we will get a taste for Rural life on the plateau with a night out on the Ganjia Grasslands. Here we will get a chance to interact with our host family and perhaps even help them round up their yaks on our final morning before we head back to Xining.

Still undisturbed by the furor of tourism, Qinghai offers the chance for a true adventure. Be prepared for challenges of every kind, whether picking up a new phrase in Tibetan or breathing at an altitude of more than 4000m and also for the chance to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Trip Details

Hiking Difficulty

3 out of 5. None of our hikes are super strenuous and should be achievable by anyone with a moderate level of fitness even when taking into account the high altitude.

Price

10,800 RMB per person; does not include airfare, single supplement available some nights

Start Date

Saturday, July 11th, 2020 

This journey begins in Xining. Participants should plan their travel to arrive in Xining by the evening of July 11th. The Hutong will help to arrange a group flight option.

Return Date

Friday, July 17th, 2020     

This journey ends in Xining. Participants should plan their travel to return home from Xining on the afternoon or evening of July 17th.

Cultural Tidbits

At times crossed by a part of the silk road, Qinghai is one of the three provinces that used to form part of the Tibetan kingdom. Located between Tibet proper, Xinjiang, and abutting region of strong Mongolian presence, its history and culture are one of the diverse influences and myriad of peoples and religions.

Our Qinghai expert: Ben Cubbage

Originally from the US, Ben Cubbage works with all of The Hutong’s trips in Qinghai and Gansu. A certified Wilderness First Responder, Ben has lived on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai for close to ten years.

He loves to share his remarkable stories about living out in Western China and to explain the fascinating history and culture of the Tibetan people. He has trekked extensively in both Tibet proper and the greater Tibetan Plateau and brings experience that includes guiding trips to the Everest base camp, teaching organic agriculture, and sustainable development in Ghana and Liberia and thru-hiking all 3440km of the US Appalachian Trail.

How to Book

We are currently only taking tentative reservations, as we wait for domestic Mainland travel restrictions to ease. To receive an itinerary and tentatively reserve your space, contact
Luke Giles: [e-mail]