2021 Amdo Tibetan Monlam Festival 10-Day Tour from Xining to Lanzhou via Tongren & Xiahe

Tour Overview
Monlam Festival (The Great Prayer Festival, Losar Festival or Tibetan New Year Festival) is the grandest religious festival in Tibet. Monlam in Tibetan means great prayer, Losar is the Tibetan word for New Year, therefore Monlam Festival is also called the Great Prayer Festival, the Losar Festival or Tibetan New Year Festival. Monlam Festival has its origin in a prayer meeting organized by Tsong Khapa, the founder of Gelukpa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism at Jokhang Monastery in Lhasa in 1409. Monlam Festival is a time of monastic dancing, village-wide celebration, and ceremonies infused with incense on snow-covered highlands by Tibetan monasteries. This 10-Day Amdo Tibetan Monlam Festival Tour will give you a chance to join Tibetan monks and colorfully dressed pilgrims in a variety of religious ceremonies at Tibetan monasteries in Amdo. The highlight of the festival will be the 'Sunning of the Buddha' ceremony, during which a huge thangka of Buddha (usually measuring 90 feet by 60 feet) will be unfurled on a hillside. The festival will be accompanied by lively Cham dances and prayer assemblies throughout the entire period of two weeks. Join this GoGrandChina Monlam Festival tour and feel the excitement of pilgrims as they gather to view the pulsating rhythms of monastic Cham dancing, prayer assemblies and Basking of the Buddha ceremonies.

Tour Highlights
• Celebrate Tibetan New Year in Amdo with local Tibetans and nomads
• Admire Kumbum Monastery, birthplace of Tsongkhapa (founder of the Gelukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism)
• Visit Rongwo Monastery, the principal monastery in Tongren (Repkong in Tibetan)
• View Sunning the Buddha ceremony at Gomar Monastery
• Join local Tibetans for a milk tea breakfast at Gomar Monastery
• Enjoy Cham Dance by Tibetan Monks at Gomar Monastery,  Lower Wuntun Monastery and Labrang Monastery
• Experience Tibetan life by visiting a normad's family
• View Sunning the Buddha ceremony at Labrang Monastery
• Admire Yak Butter Sculptures at Labrang Monastery, one of the six most important monasteries in Tibet

Tour Itinerary at a Glance
• Day 1 Jan 19, 2021: Arrival in Xining, Airport Pickup & Visit Kumbum Monastery
• Day 2 Jan 20, 2021: Drive to Tongren, Rongwo Monastery
• Day 3 Jan 21, 2021: Tongren, Gomar Monastery, Sunning the Buddha
• Day 4 Jan 22, 2021: Tongren, Lower Wuntun Monastery, Cham Dance
• Day 5 Jan 23, 2021: Tongren, Gomar Monastery, Cham Dance
• Day 6 Jan 24, 2021: Drive to Xiahe, Tibetan Normad's Family
• Day 7 Jan 25, 2021: Xiahe, Labrang Monastery, Sunning the Buddha
• Day 8 Jan 26, 2021: Xiahe, Labrang Monastery, Cham Dance
• Day 9 Jan 27, 2021: Xiahe, Milarepa Palace, Yak Butter Sculptures
• Day 10 Jan 28, 2021: Xiahe, Labrang Monastery, Transfer to Lanzhou for Departure Flight/Train

Hotels & Meals
• 1 night of accommodation at local 4-star Sanwant Hotel in Xining or similar
• 4 nights of accommodations at local 3-star Hongfengde Hotel in Tongren or similar
• 4 nights of accommodations at local 4-star Labrang Civil Aviation Hotel in Xiahe or similar
• Daily buffet breakfast at hotel
• 19 meals (lunch & dinner at local restaurants)

Tailor This Tour to Meet Your Needs and Requirements
• If you have booked your own hotel, if you want to stay at other hotels or if you want to modify this itinerary, please feel free to contact us by WhatsApp (+86-18309280878), Wechat (+86-18309280878) or email (info@GrandChinaTravel.com), we will create a tailor-made tour for you.

Price Remarks
• Prices are based on sharing in double/twin/triple room at proposed hotels.
• S/S (Single Supplement) fee is charged for staying at single room.
• S/S fee for less than 10 adult travelers: USD ; S/S fee for over 10 adult travelers: USD.

Price Inclusions
• Hotel accommodation with daily hotel breakfast
• Professional English language speaking guide
• Air-conditioned vehicle with experienced driver
• All admission tickets to sightseeing places
• Meals as specified in the itinerary
• All government taxes

Price Exclusions
• Your personal expenses
• Travel insurance is not included. Please purchase before your trip to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.
• Gratuities to guide & driver. They are customary and would be of great encouragement and reward for quality service.

Additional Info
• Tour starts on Jan 19, 2021 in Xining, ends in Lanzhou
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
• The itinerary is subject to change due to traffic conditions or bad weather.
• IMPORTANT: It is required by the government regulations that all travelers must provide their name, gender, nationality, passport number and date of birth to their tour operator upon booking a tour. Failure to do so could result in a traveler not being able to join the tour, or for the entire group to be denied access to sites such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. When you book this tour, please complete all required fields at checkout. Please bring your passport with you on the tour.

Cancellation Policy
• Cancellations made 31 days or more prior to the scheduled departure date, will receive a 100% refund.
• Cancellations made within 22 - 30 days will incur a 10% fee.
• Cancellations made within 15 - 21 days will incur a 30% fee.
• Cancellations made within 8 - 14 days will incur a 50% fee.
• Cancellations made within 0 - 7 days will not receive a refund.
• After the tour has commenced, there is no refund for canceled services due to non-participation, missed days on tours.
• The confirmed cancellation date is determined based on the supplier's local time (Beijing Time).
• Please allow 2-5 business days to process and confirm your cancellation request. Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.

Why Travelers Have to Choose GoGrandChina Private Tours?
• Choose your most suitable departure time, whether you are an early bird or you prefer sleeping in.
• GoGrandChina private tours are more flexible, allowing you to adjust everything on your trip to your wishes.
• GoGrandChina tour guides will be at your service to make sure you get the most from each destination. They are there for you and are responsible for making your journey special – and your needs always come first.
• GoGrandChina offers comfortable and luxury vehicles with a private & experienced driver who’s always by your side and ready to take you to your next destination.
• No shopping stops & factory visits, no chance of getting ripped off.
• No hidden costs, rest assured that there are no nasty surprises.

Know Before You Go
• Please be aware that you need to arrive in Xining in the morning on the first day.
• Please arrange your departure flight/train in Lanzhou in the afternoon on the last day.
• Add us on WeChat (+86-18309280878) or WhatsApp (+86-18309280878) to reach GGC service staff at anytime.
• Before getting to Xining you will receive guide's name and contact number from GGC by WhatsApp, Wechat or email.
• Upon arrival, you will be greeted by guide holding GoGrandChina welcome sign with your name at airport or train station arrival hall.

Day 1 Jan 19, 2021 Arrival in Xining, Airport/Train Station Pick-up, Kumbum Monastery
Arrive at Xining airport or train stations. Meet & greet by your English speaking guide. Private transfer to hotel. Xining is the capital city of Northwest China's Qinghai province as well as the capital of Amdo area of Tibet. Visit the Kumbum Monastery in the afternoon. The Kumbum Monastery which was built in 1560 AD is one of the six most famous Buddhist Monasteries in Tibet. Kumbum in Tibetan means a grand place housing 100,000 Buddha. It was originally built upon the birth place of the founder of the Gelukpa Sect (Yellow Hat) of Tibetan Buddhism, Tsong Khapa. Two of his disciples from this region also went on to become famous in the Buddhist world, one becoming Dalai Lama, the other the Panchen Lama.

Meals Included: Lunch & dinner at local restaurants
Hotel: Local 4-star Sanwant Hotel Xining or similar

Day 2 Jan 20, 2021 Drive to Tongren (168 km, 2 hours), Rongwo Monastery
Drive to Tongren in the morning. In the 15-16 century, the Tibetan Buddhism of Gelukpa Sect (Yellow Sect) was introduced to Tongren. Buddhist paintings, sculptures and stone inscription were sprung up near the Guchu River at Tongren along with the rise of Buddhism and the construction of monasteries. Tongren is famous in Tibet for Buddhist art which mainly includes colored paintings, colored sculptures, designs, yak butter sculptures, embossed embroideries, wood inscription and decorations in architecture. Among these, paintings, sculptures and designs are most famous. Upon arrival, visit Rongwo Monastery of Gelukpa sect which was initially constructed in Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) as a monastery of Sakya-sect.

Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at local restaurants
Hotel: Local 3-star Hongfengde Hotel Tongren or similar

Day 3 Jan 21, 2021 Tongren, Gomar Gompa Monastery, Sunning the Buddha
Drive to Gomar Gompa in the morning. Join the local Tibetans to experience a fantastic milk tea breakfast. Local Tibetans bring their milk tea and breakfast to the monastery and talk about their stories happened last year and exchange their ambition for the coming year. Then visit Gomar Stupa which was built in the 1980's. It is the largest Stupa in Amdo. Today's highlight is the grand ceremony of Sunning the Buddha at the Gomar Gonpa Monastery in the afternoon. Tibetans traditionally place a huge painting or embroidery of the Buddha Tangka on the slope of a hill to give blessings to all people participating. 

Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at local restaurants
Hotel: Local 3-star Hongfengde Hotel Tongren or similar

Day 4 Jan 22, 2021 Tongren, Lower Wutun Monastery, Cham Dance
Enjoy full day Cham Dance at Lower Wutun Monastery. The Cham Dance calls on traditions that date back more than 500 years. The fourth Panchen Lama went to Shambala through meditation and created the Cham Dance based on what he saw in Shambala and the fifth Dalai Lama formalized the Cham Dance in the Cham Yig book. Over the centuries, each monastery in Tibet has created its own unique Cham Dance interpretations. Cham performances and ceremonies feature sacred masked dances, sacred music, healing chants and spectacular richly ornamented multi-colored costumes. The dancers use symbolic hand gestures known as mudras to transmit healing powers from the deities. With accompanying narration and a monastic debate demonstration, the program provides a fascinating and warm glimpse into ancient and current Tibetan culture.

Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at local restaurants
Hotel: Local 3-star Hongfengde Hotel Tongren or similar

Day 5 Jan 23, 2021 Tongren, Gomar Gompa Monastery, Cham Dance
Enjoy Cham Dance at Gomar Monastery for the whole day. Gomar in Tibetan language means red gate. Apparently all gates of Gomar Monastery are in red color. Actually the gates of nearby Tibetan village are all in red as well because this village used to be very wealthy and they could afford to decorate their gates with red copper in the old days.

Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at local restaurants
Hotel: Local 3-star Hongfengde Hotel Tongren or similar

Day 6 Jan 24, 2021 Drive to Xiahe (105 km, 3 hours), Tibetan Normad's Family
Drive to Xiahe in the Morning. Xiahe is the largest Tibetan monastery town outside Lhasa which exists due to the Labrang Monastery. Labrang in Tibetan language means the residences of the highest spiritual leaders and masters (incarnated Lamas). It was founded in 1709 by the first reincarnation of His Holiness the Jamp-Yang Gyalpa Ngawang-Tsondru (living-Buddha), who was born in an ordinary Tibetan nomadic family near Ganjia about 45km from Labrang monastery. Since then the Jamp-yang Gyalpa’s previous lines of generations have been the head of this monastery, till today. Labrang Monastery is one of the six main monasteries of the Gelupka sect in Tibet. Here at Xiahe, you will be enchanted by the atmosphere of this town which is a mixture of Tibetan, Muslim Hui and Han Chinese, particularly during the festive season when the usually silent streets are crowded with pilgrims and Tibetan monks in their saffron robes. Visit a Normadic Tibetan family on the way.

Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at local restaurants
Hotel: Local 4-star Civil Aviation Hotel Xiahe or similar

Day 7 Jan 25, 2021 Xiahe, Labrang Monastery, Sunning the Buddha
Mingle with the locals and pilgrims to be embraced by the lively yet mysterious atmosphere at today's special event, the annual Sunning of the Buddha ceremony. In the morning, a 98 by 66 feet Thangka will be carried to the ceremonial site by dozens of Tibetan monks. Believers and pilgrims alike will hike up the mountain to see the sun light up the thangka. Once the Thangka is been unrolled, devotees laid out khatak, or white scarves - a traditional ceremonial offering in Tibet - to pay homage to the sacred image. The pilgrims also hope that the mere sight of the thangka would shower them with blessings.

Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at local restaurants
Hotel: Local 4-star Civil Aviation Hotel Xiahe or similar
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Day 8 Jan 26, 2021 Xiahe, Labrang Monastery, Cham Dance
Enjoy Cham Dance performed by Monks of Labrang Monastery for the whole day. This dance is performed by 35 masked dancers centering on Yama, the Lord of Death, and was accompanied by Tibetan ritual instruments, including drums, cymbals, and wind instruments. Offerings to Buddha and deities made of highland barley are burnt by dancers to wish an auspicious coming year. Not only the dancers and musicians, but also the audience will be blessed through participating in this grand ceremony.

Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at local restaurants
Hotel: Local 4-star Civil Aviation Hotel Xiahe or similar

Day 9 Jan 27, 2021 Xiahe, Milarepa Palace, Yak Butter Sculptures
Drive to Milarepa Palace (70 km, 90 minutes) in the morning. First built in 1777AD, the original building of Milarepa palace was destroyed in the Culture Revolution (1966 - 1976). The existing building was rebuilt in 1998 and completed in 1992. This 9 storey Milarepa Palace has a tower shape, and is dedicated to Milarepa (also called Milariba), who is one of the most famous figures in Tibetan Buddhist culture. The Milarepa Palace is both deeply steeped in mystery and unusual in the Tibetan world as different spiritual leaders from varying sects are worshipped on each floor. The exterior is quite modern, but the interior conveys a seasoned, creaky and musty sense of age coupled with a powerful sense of devotion from the worshippers who flock here and prostrate themselves at the main gate. Visit Yak Butter Sculpture Exhibitions after dinner. Butter sculptures are made mainly from butter and other mineral pigments. They mainly describe Buddhist deities, mandala, flowers, animals and Buddhist motifs. Traditionally, butter sculptures are displayed on monastery altars and family shrines as offerings. At night, monks and pilgrims at Labrang monastery will travel to see sculptures made of yak butter by Tibetan Buddhist monks that traditionally represent an offering to Buddha and deities.

Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch & dinner at local restaurants
Hotel: Local 4-star Civil Aviation Hotel Xiahe or similar

Day 10 Jan 28, 2021 Xiahe, Labrang Monastery, Transfer to Lanzhou for Departure Flight/Train
Join the locals for the last day of the festival, the ritual ceremony of Turning the Buddha in the morning. Tibetan Buddhist monks will carry a 9-15 feet high statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha, make the Kora (pilgrimage circuit) around Labrang monastery together with thousands of pilgrims who will follow this ceremony in order to get blessings. After lunch transfer to Lanzhou airport or train stations for your departure flight/train.

Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch at local restaurants