Overview
Travel through traditional Amdo Tibetan region in Qinghai, Gansu & Sichuan provinces
Lanzhou – Xiahe - Langmusi – Tangkor – Jigdril – Darlag – Mado – Qinghai Lake - Xining
Amdo is on the corners of the far-eastern Tibetan Plateau, covering some parts of modern day Qinghai, northern Sichuan and southwest Gansu provinces. This spectacular tour traverses traditional Amdo Tibetan regions through the above three provinces, gives a fabulous insight into its ever changing landscapes, unscathed Tibetan nomadic peoples and monasteries galore, some are rarely visited by outsiders. The grand Yellow and Yangtze rivers rise here, slips over many towering snow-capped mountains and winds past verdant meadows where support herds of yaks, sheep, goats and horses, the amazed Himalayan blue poppy, gentian and beautiful wildflowers carpeted the vast pastures. Some incredible large and turquoise lakes hide among the desolated highland. The old Tibetan Buddhist religion is vibrant here as Amdo remains many impact monasteries including Kumbum and Labrang, and is the birthplace for Tibet's most famous spiritual leaders including Tsongkhapa and the 10th Panchen Lama. Amdo also possesses a thriving Tibetan culture, witnessed in the Amdowas' traditional clothing, their festivals, and their customs. Follow us for this remarkable region and its unparalleled beauties!
Outline Itinerary
Day 01 Arrival Lanzhou & City Sightseeing
Day 02 Lanzhou – Bingling Caves - Xiahe (B)
Day 03 Xiahe - Langmusi (B)
Day 04 Langmusi – Zoige - Tangkor (B)
Day 05 Tangkor - Jigdril (B)
Day 06 Jigdril – Nyenbo Yurtse – Jigdril (B)
Day 07 Jigdril – Darlag (B)
Day 08 Darlag - Mado (B)
Day 09 Ngoring & Kyaring Lakes (B)
Day 10 Mado – Qinghai Lake (B)
Day 11 Qinghai Lake – Kunbum - Xining (B)
Day 12 Xining Extension or Departure (B)
Get Inspired
https://plateautours.com/destinations/qinghai-amdo/amdo-immersion-tour#sigProIdc1d7ea780e
Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival Lanzhou & City Sightseeing
Upon arrival at Lanzhou airport or train station, you will be met by our local guide and driver and then transfer to the hotel. Later take a city sightseeing of Lanzhou, visit Gansu Provincial Museum, the Water Wheel Garden, the first ferrous bridge and White Pagoda where offers good views across the city.
Day 02: Lanzhou – Bingling Caves - Xiahe (B)
The road from Lanzhou to Xiahe descends west through a highly fertile valley. En the route, stop to visit Bingling Thousand-Buddha Caves over the Yellow River by boat. There are 183 Buddhist grottoes containing unscathed 694 statues and many terracotta sculptures and frescoes. The oldest date from 420 AD, older than those in Dunhuang Grottoes. Arrive Xiahe in the afternoon and visit Labrang Monastery, the most important Gelugpa sect seat outside Lhasa.
Day 03: Xiahe - Langmusi (B)
Head down southward to Langmusi by crossing Hezuo, where we visit the incredible Milarepa Palace, a unique Tibetan temple ranging spectacularly over nine floors. Later we pass by a turquoise lake of Gahai Lake, a sanctuary for migratory birds include black-necked cranes. Spend a night at Langmusi, a town divides between Sichuan and Gansu Provinces.
Day 04: Langmusi – Zoige - Tangkor (B)
Visit two great Gelugpa sect. monasteries this morning at Langmusi. Later we leave for Zoige Grassland, one of China’s largest marshland prairies. Pass through Zoige high grassland, one of China’s largest marshland prairies, also the habitat for the wild Black-necked cranes. Excurse at Huahu Lake (Flower Lake) located in the heart of grassland for flower and plenty of birds views. Hits the road down southward to Tangkor and have a spectacular view of the Giant Nine Bends of Yellow River, and visit nearby Roc Monastery
Day 05: Tangkor - Jigdril (B)
Drive across verdant grassland and several high-passes to upwards to Jigdril, the fine views of Mt. Nyenbo Yurtse render at north direction. En the route, visit a Tibetan Buddhist Pagodas, a religious commemoration for the tenth Panchen Lhama. Visit the Tibetan villages and their featured houses.
Day 06: Jigdril – Nyenbo Yurtse – Jigdril (B)
The trail leads to Mount Nyenbo Yurtse area by passing several monasteries. As the principle holy mountain in the Amdo region, the range has 14 peaks over 5,000 meters. The snow-capped steep ridges of the mountain are surrounded by marshland and array of glacier lakes. Spend a day hike or excursion in this beautiful place.
Day 07: Jigdril – Darlag (B)
As Nyenbo Yurtse is gradually left behind our sight, the road heads west over few snowy passes into the large pasture lands full of nomads and herds of yaks and sheep. Situated at the south of Amnye Machen range, Darlag is a small town straddles the Yellow River. Here, we visit the county’s largest Nyingmapa monastery.
Day 08: Darlag - Mado (B)
Drive through the high grasslands to tiny town of Mado, parallel with the Yellow River. En-route, we pass through interesting nomadic inhabitant regions and also see along the way is the view of Mt. Amnye Machen (6,282m), the most sacred mountains among Amdo. Mado, at 4300m is one of the highest and coldest regions of Amdo.
Day 09: Ngoring & Kyaring Lakes (B)
Off the main road and take the tough and dirt trail to visit two beautiful highland lakes. Ngoring Lake (4272m) and Kyaring Lake (4294m), two particularly large freshwater lakes, mosaic on the Mado marshy plain at the upstream of the Yelllow River. In the afternoon, drive back to Mado.
Day 10: Mado – Qinghai Lake (B)
Drive through the rolling grasslands to Qinghai Lake (Kokonor Lake), yellow poppies and nomad’s tents are commonplace along the way. Wonder around the Qinghai Lake, the China’s largest salty lake, enjoy amaze beauty of it. Many birds will stop here when they migrate across Asia. Spend a serene night at the lake side.
Day 11: Qinghai Lake – Kunbum - Xining (B)
Wake up early morning to view the possibly sunrise over the Qinghai Lake. Then drive to Xining across Sun & Moon Mountain. En the route, stop to visit Qinghai’s symbolic site of Kumbum Monastery. It is the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelugpa sect, and is also famous for the artworks of Yak Butter sculptures, frescoes and embossed embroidery made by lhama artists. Later visit the Grand Mosque, one of the four largest mosques in China, worshipped by local Muslim.
Day 12: Xining Extension or Departure (B)
Extend the tour to Tibet or transfer to the airport/train station for other destinations.
Experiences & Activities
- Visit Amdo’s principal monastery of Labrang & Kumbum, and many rarely visited religious sites
- Witness Amdo’s famous holy mountain of Mt. Nyenbo Yurtse and Mt. Amnye Machen
- Excurse many large deep blue alpine lakes including Kokonor, Ngoring and Kyaring
- Passes rolling mountains and verdant pastures to see the wild birds and mammals
- Get insight into unspoiled Tibetan nomads and herds of yaks, sheep and horses
