China
Nine days in Amdo for the Great Prayer Festival, with giant thangkas, mask dances and the butter sculptures of Labrang, from Tongren to Xiahe
China Tour Overview
Nine days in Amdo for the Great Prayer Festival, with giant thangkas, mask dances and the butter sculptures of Labrang, from Tongren to Xiahe
Nine days and eight nights, privately guided, from 13 to 21 February 2027, through Amdo, the Tibetan northeast in Qinghai and Gansu, during Monlam, the Great Prayer Festival of the Tibetan New Year. The journey moves from monastery to monastery to be present for each main ceremony: the dawn assembly and giant thangka at Gomar, mask dances at Wutun among the painters of Rebkong, giant thangkas at Langmusi and Chone, festival dress at Xicang, and the butter sculptures and great procession of Labrang. A winter journey, cold but bright, with nights at around 2,400 to 3,300 metres.
Tibetan New Year: Monlam in Qinghai and Gansu
You are met in Xining in the afternoon for the drive south to Tongren, the town the Tibetans call Rebkong, set in a valley of monasteries and famous across the Tibetan world for its painters of thangkas and murals. Around 165 km and two and a half hours of driving.
Meals -
Early to Gomar Monastery, around 10 km from town, for the great morning assembly, when monks and local families gather and share a communal breakfast to open the day.
In the afternoon, the unveiling of a giant thangka on the hillside, a ceremony that can last several hours as pilgrims come forward for blessings. Then to lower Wutun Monastery for the procession of the Buddha around the monastery.
Meals B
A day at Wutun, a monastery and village at the heart of Rebkong art, the painting and sculpture tradition recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, where many families still work as painters. The monks perform their mask dance in the courtyard.
In the afternoon, back to Gomar for its procession of the Buddha around the monastery.
Meals B
A morning at Gomar for the masked Cham dances, performed by the monks before crowds of pilgrims.
Then the long drive south into Gansu to Diebu, in forested valleys at around 2,400 metres. Around 358 km and seven hours on winter roads.
Meals B
A morning at the Tiebu reserve, home to wild sika deer in the forests of southern Gansu.
Then on to Langmusi, a small monastery town on the border of Gansu and Sichuan, at around 3,300 metres. Around 169 km and four hours of driving.
Meals B
In the morning, the unveiling of a giant thangka on the hillside above Langmusi, watched by crowds of pilgrims, farmers and nomads who come for the blessing.
In the afternoon, a short drive to Luqu. Around 86 km and one and a half hours of driving.
Meals B
To Xicang Monastery, where local families gather in their finest traditional dress and jewellery to celebrate the new year, and the monks perform their mask dance.
Then on to Zhuoni in the Tao valley. Around 196 km and three and a half hours of driving.
Meals B
In the morning, the unveiling of a giant thangka at Chone Monastery in Zhuoni, the image changing each year among the Buddha of the future, the Buddha of boundless light and Tsongkhapa.
Then to Xiahe and Labrang, one of the great monasteries of the Gelug school, for the display of butter sculptures in the evening, intricate figures and scenes made by the monks from coloured butter and shown by lamplight. Around 166 km and three hours of driving.
Meals B
A morning at Labrang, founded in 1709, walking the circuit around the monastery with thousands of pilgrims and monks as a great statue of Maitreya is carried in procession.
Then the drive to Lanzhou, capital of Gansu, where the journey ends. Around 232 km and three and a half hours of driving.
Meals B
China Tour Details
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Support
Everything you need to know before your journey. Cannot find what you are looking for? Get in touch and we will help.
What Monlam is and how the journey follows it.
Monlam, the Great Prayer Festival, is held in the first weeks of the Tibetan New Year. It was begun in Lhasa in 1409 by Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelug school, and is celebrated in monasteries across the Tibetan world with prayers, mask dances, processions and the unveiling of giant thangkas.
Monlam follows the Tibetan lunar calendar. For 2027 the journey runs from 13 to 21 February, timed to be at each monastery on the day of its main ceremony. Programmes are set by the monasteries and can change at short notice.
Yes, from the public areas, but respectfully: stay out of the dance area and processions, do not use flash, and ask before photographing people up close. Your guide will help you find good places early.
February in Amdo is cold.
Very. Days can be bright and sunny, but nights often fall to around minus 15°C or below, and the ceremonies mean long hours outdoors. Bring a down jacket, thermal layers, a warm hat, gloves and good boots.
Roads are paved but can be icy, and Day 4 is a long drive of around seven hours. Your driver is experienced in winter conditions, and timings can change with the weather.
Most nights are at around 2,400 to 3,300 metres, the highest at Langmusi. Few people have trouble at these heights, but take the first days gently.
The practical details.
It starts in Xining in the afternoon of Day 1 and ends in Lanzhou on Day 9. Both have flights and high-speed trains across China, and we can book a night in Xining before the journey.
No. These Tibetan areas of Qinghai and Gansu are outside the Tibet Autonomous Region, so only a China visa is needed.
Breakfast from Day 2 to Day 9. Lunch and dinner are not included, and your guide will recommend places to eat.
