It’s an electric atmosphere that spreads across different tiny villages. You will experience the fair, the society, the religion, and the opportunity to meet other people in the scattered neighborhoods. Be ready to see people laying on beds of nails with self-inflicted wounds, and drunken performances that whip the local crowds into a frenzy!
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Destination
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Trip duration
7 days, 6 nights
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Price
From 7500 cny
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Availability period
15 Jul. 2025 - 21 Jul. 2025
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Min/Max travelers
Min 10
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Transport
Private Van
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Accommodation
Well-selected 4 star hotels
The spiritual Dharma festival is held in the Tongren area of Gansu, a province in north central China. This area is known for Thangkha painters whose works on cotton or silk appliqué usually depict Buddhist deity, scene, or mandala. Tibetan Buddhism is practiced here. The festival held in villages is a ritual of physical strength and pain endurance with participants inserting needles into their flesh and inflicting cuts to themselves to celebrate adulthood.
This is our ultimate highlight, however, the more remote areas of Gansu and Qinghai you are going to explore will truly satisfy your thirst for exploration. On top of that you will be lead by an exceptional chaperon, Prof. Jeremiah Jenne. Rarely you will find most informative and fun Cicero on the China roads.
Read his Bio in our Tesimonial section.
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The spiritual Dharma festival is held in the Tongren area of Qinghai, a province in north central China. This area is known for Thangkha painters whose works on cotton or silk appliqué usually depict Buddhist deity, scene, or mandala. Tibetan Buddhism is practiced here. The festival held in villages is a ritual of physical strength and pain endurance with participants inserting needles into their flesh and inflicting cuts to themselves to celebrate adulthood. This 6-day program takes guests to witness this rather unusual event, to explore ancient Amdo deep culture and spectacular sightseeing.
@Nicola Longobardi
Qinghai, China
Dates & availability
Prices may change, so secure your trip today!
| Departing | Finishing | Booked | Single Room | Total USD | Book |
| 2025-07-15 | Guests Booked | $2500 | $7500 | Book Now |
Day 1
Arrive Lanzhou
Arrive Lanzhou by flight or train. Met and greeted by at the airport, transfer to visit the Yellow River Scenic Area in Lanzhou if time permits. The Yellow River runs through the city, offering beautiful riverside views and a unique local atmosphere. Meals will be on your own.
Food
-/-/-
Day 2
Lanzhou – Xiahe(230km, 3.5h)
Check out hotel and head to Xiahe. Visit the Bingling Cave Temple en-route. Bingling Temple, also known as Bingling Grottoes, is an outstanding ancient cultural site. It contains a great quantity of ancient Buddhist sculptures and murals. These artworks have gone through the test of time, vividly reflecting the artistic styles and religious beliefs of different eras. The grottoes are nestled in the mountains, providing a serene and mysterious atmosphere. The elaborate carvings and colorful paintings not only showcase the superb craftsmanship of ancient artisans but also offer precious materials for studying ancient history, culture, and art. Continue to Xiahe, check in hotel after arrival.
Food
B/L/D
Day 3
Xiahe
Explore the Labrang Monastery, one of the most significant Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in China, famous for its grand architecture and profound religious culture. Later, enjoy the vast and beautiful Sangke Grassland.
Food
B/L/D
Day 4
Xiahe - Tongren
Check out and head to Tongren on a 120 km, two-hour journey. We delve into Tibetan culture at various villages that dot the landscape. The festival involves many events to test the physical strength and endurance of participants, and colorful traditional parades and religious ceremonies. We stop to enjoy lunch in a local restaurant away from the revelry, before re-joining the rich cultural manifestations. Afterwards, we return to our hotel in Tongren in time to refresh.
Food
B/L/D
Day 5
Tongren – Ta’er Temple – Xining(180km,2.5h)
Leave Tongren for Ta'er Temple, an important Tibetan Buddhist temple complex renowned for its exquisite architecture and religious relics. Then move on to Xining. Visit the Dongguan Mosque, one of the largest and most significant mosques in Xining. It combines traditional Chinese architectural styles with Islamic architectural features. The mosque showcases exquisite murals and carvings, which vividly display the beliefs and culture of Islam.
Food
B/L/D
Day 6
Xining – Qinghai Lake – Xining(170km+170km,3h+3h)
Day Trip from Xining to Qinghai Lake, the largest inland saltwater lake in China, with stunning natural scenery of clear blue water and surrounding snow-capped mountains. Return to Xining.
Food
B/L/D
Day 7
Xining Departure
Transfer to airport for flight back home.
Food
B/-/-
Travel is an emotional experience, cherishing new corners and venture into unknown landscapes.
Respecting this and giving back to society has taken an important role in our endeavours in leaving only footprints and taking only memories.
To Know More
Lanzhou
Wyndham Lanzhou Haiyue or similar
STAR RATING:5*
Xiahe
Tianzhu International Hotel or similar
STAR RATING:4*
Tongren
Shengyu Tianlun Hotel
STAR RATING:4*
Xining
Sanyu Hotel
STAR RATING:Local 5*
Travel is an emotional experience, cherishing new corners and venture into unknown landscapes.
Respecting this and giving back to society has taken an important role in our endeavours in leaving only footprints and taking only memories.
To Know More
Create the experience of your dream with our travel experts
Make your own trailIncluded
- 6-night accommodation in sharing twin room with breakfast as indicated in the program.
- Transfers and tour by A/C vehicle and entrance fees as indicated with services of an English-speaking guide.
- 5 lunches & 5 dinners(Food Only)
- Service fee & government tax
Not Included
- Any international or domestic flights
- Any meals as not indicated in program.
- Personal expenses such as other meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees, and optional tours or visits unless otherwise stated.
- Porterage at the airport and at the hotels (in and out).
- Visa fee for China.
- Voluntary carbon emission compensation for Gold Standard Project: USD 1.50/per person per day.
- Voluntary contribution to plastic reduction: USD 4/per person (A TRAILS reusable water bottle will remain as memory of this action).
Payment and Cancellations
- Deposit: 25% of total package to confirm the booking.
- Full payment is due 4 weeks before departure. We reserve the right to release all services in case of payment overdue
- Cancellation policy:
Between 30 and 20 days prior to arrival : 25% of total amount
• Between 20 and 10 days prior to arrival : 50% of total amount
• Less than 10 days : 100% of total amount
Is this trip guaranteed to run?
- This special departure needs a minimum of 10 travelers to be confirmed
Important notes
Few important details to frame the experience:
- Airport taxes and fuel surcharges: in case of increase decided by the Chinese government, we reserve the right to revise the supplement with immediate effect.
- Flight and train details if mentioned above are for indicative purposes only.
- The order of the visits is subject to modifications due to local conditions.
- No reservations have been effected at the time of quotation.