On this journey we take travelers into the heart of Qinghai's most sacred places - hidden monasteries and centuries-old stupas locked deep inside bald mountains and remote valleys, where the best Tibetan art and simple Tibetan villages and people can also be found.

Xunhua
Xunhua is the only county of Sala peole, and Wendu village is the home town of the 10th Banchan Lama, head of that school and the whole of Vajrayana, or Tibetan, Buddhism; Along the way from Xunhua to Tongren, there are stunning landscapes and some interesting Hui (Chinese Muslim) villages.

Tongren
A historical and cultural city with its nicely preserved Longwu Temple, a showcase of traditional Tibetan religious art. The 1,000 year old Wutun village near Tongren has the well-known Upper and Lower Wudun monasteries. It features an organic tapestry of village and monastery, laymen habitat, as well as monk residents. The Tibetans here have a rich history recorders through murals, tangka and statues that abound in this area. The art school in the monastery, which was set up in the 16th century, is known for its craftsmanship and fancy colors and enjoys wide-spread fame across the Tibetan region till this day.

Kanbula National Forest Park
Qinghai's natural beauty will also be appreciated in the Kanbla National Forest, a remote landscape of red sandstone peaks and meandering yellow rivers; and in the Nanzong Valley, locked in between danxia peaks and dense forest lines. Nestled in the valley, Nanzong Buddhist Nunnery and Temple are the only religious Buddhist places with monks and nuns coexist with each other in Qinghai Province China.

Other famous sites but not included in CCC tours:
(You can add them as extended tour)

1. Qinghai Lake
Despite the largest Salt Lake in China, it is rather disappointing after visiting Kanbula Forest. It is a very long day riding around an average looking lake with just average surrounding scenery. The birds are minimal at the bird watching area, mainly cormorants on and around the rock. It takes another two days to finish it. Hiking away from the lake is more interesting than bus ride when the season and weather are appropriate.

2. Kumbum (Ta'er) Monastery
Although the monastery is historically important, you may still skip it if you visit Tongren. Because you will see quite some similar monasteries in Tongren and Kanbula, which are much more authentic, peaceful and much less tourists. In addition, Kumbum is located on the west of Xining, which is opposite direction of this traveling route and takes another half day to do it.

Highlights

* Authentic Tibetan, Hui and other ethnic townships and villages and people.
* Stunning landscapes of Danxia Red Peaks and forest, lakes, Tibetan pastures, valley and monasteries on the peaks.
* Beautiful Tibetan Architecture and traditional religious art.

Best time to visit

May to early October. The yellow blossom will be available everywhere from late May to early July.
Late August to early September is the best time to view Kanbula National Forest because the tree leaves turn yellow and the lake green.
From Late January to February the locals celebrate their traditonal New Year, which is worth visiting.

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While in Tongren, we reach heights of up to 2,491 meters above sea level.

Suggest itinerary

Day 1.  Fly in Xining / Xunhua / Tongren
* Beijing travelers: Take a morning flight into Qinghai (2.5hours)
* Shanghai travelers: take a previous evening flight into Xining and stay overnight; then meet the Beijing participants next morning.
   Flight Shanghai Pudong - Xi'an (stopover) - Xining (4hours).
* If you go from other locale, we will check the available flights from your locale to Xining.

Upon arrival, we will drive to Xunhua County, the only town in China dominant by Sala People, one ethnic group believing Muslim. Then we will visit the 10th Panchen Lama residence in Wendu Village. Along the way, we pass by stunning views of mountains and lush plants and yellow reap blossom (late May to early July). We will visit interesting Hui (Chinese Muslim wearing white caps) people's villages and then enter into meadow area with goats and yaks and Tibetan nomad herders until we arrive in Tongren in the evening and stay overnight.

Day 2. Tongren
This morning we go on a pilgrimage walk along with the local monks to the Longwu Temple and then walk around the monastery to find opportunities to engage with monks to discuss about their daily rituals. Then we visit the artistic treasures of Nianduhu monastery, where the large-scale barbola mural is considered the best in the area, and the monastery also houses a collection of embroidery and other rare cultural relics. In the afternoon we visit the Guomari Monastery known for finely crafted sculptures. Climbing up the white stupa of Guomari, we will have a bird-eye view of surrounding villages and mountains. 

In the afternoon we head to the hidden and serene village in the mountains in Qukuhu. The clay houses are neatly built along the slope with stupas and monasteries on the summit. The monks and Tibetan villages are simple and friendly. They wash their clothes in the water running down from the mountains or are dedicated to rotating the prayer wheels. We will also check the village primary school and meet the kids in the classroom.

Day 3. Tongren / Jainca (Jianzha) / Kanbla
We continue to explore the Wutun, a 1,000 year old village with the well-known Upper and Lower Wudun monasteries. It features an organic tapestry of village and monastery, laymen habitat, as well as monk residents. The Tibetans here have a rich History recorders through murals, tangka and statues that abound in this area. The Art school in the monastery, which was set up in the 16th century, is known for its craftsmanship and fancy colors and enjoys wide-spread fame across the Tibetan region till this day. In the afternoon, we drive 3 hours to Jainca and enter into Kanbla National Park. Check in the hotel in the park and stay overnight.

Day 4. Kanbla 
We visit one typical Danxia landscape area, and climb up along the steps in the wood to another peak. Mount on the summit and take a good view of surrounding Danxia (red color) peaks. After lunch, we drive to Nanzong Valley, and hike in the 5 kilometer long Nanzong Valley, or you choose to take the shuttle bus to tour the valley. Featured by high mountain, deep valley, thick woods and quiet environment, it is composed of dense forest, deflated hills and small intermountain basins and clear brooks, red-cloud landforms and religious temples.  We will visit the Nanzong Temple and Nanzong Buddhist Nunnery, which are the only religious Buddhist places with monks and nuns coexist with each other in Qinghai Province China.

Day 5. Kanbla / Xining /Fly Out
This morning we drive to Nanzong Valley again and take a boat ride on the green water of the reservoir (part of the Yellow River) for sightseeing.
Then we leave the forest park and head back to Xining (2.5 hours). After lunch,  transfer to the airport to fly out. 

Extended tour to Qinghai Lake
June - early September is the appropriate season for Qinghai Lake.

Day 5. Kanbla / Xining
This morning we drive to Nanzong Valley again and take a boat ride on the green water of the reservoir (part of the Yellow River) for sightseeing.
Then we leave the forest park and head back to Xining (2.5 hours). After lunch, we continue our journey to Qinghai Lake and arrive in the evening. Stay overnight in a hotel near Qinghai Lake.

Day 6. Birds Island / Qinghai Lake / Xining / Fly out
Drive to the Bird Island along the north line of Qinghai Lake to see large groups of birds and seagulls and the Egg Island (birds are available from June to early September. June is at its best) . THen drive along the south line of Qinghai Lake, the largest salt lake in China. Along the journey, we will stop by for pictures and take some walk on the meadow and visit some Tibetan herders. Drive back to Xining in the later afternoon and transfer to the airport to fly out. 

Xining - Beijing (around 18:00-20:10)
Xining - Xi'an (transfer flight) - Shanghai; or Xining - Beijing - Shanghai