Tongren Shaman Festival Tour (2027)

Depart Xining in the morning and drive south into Rebkong (Tongren), one of the cultural heartlands of Amdo. Upon arrival, head directly to Gazedong Village to begin your journey through the Tongren Shaman Festival.

Today’s celebrations feature the Divine Dance, one of the festival’s oldest ceremonial traditions honoring local protector deities. The ceremonies are presided over by the village Lawa, the traditional ritual leader responsible for conducting the festival’s sacred rites. You’ll also witness the remarkable Face Piercing (Shangkouqian) and Back Piercing (Shangbeiqian) ceremonies, performed as acts of devotion that have been preserved for generations.

Overnight in Tongren.

Continue following the Tongren Shaman Festival at Langjia Village, where one of the festival’s most vibrant celebrations takes place.

Watch the lively Dragon Dance before witnessing the traditional Face Piercing (Shangkouqian) ceremony. Later, experience Kaishan (Mountain Opening), an ancient ritual performed by the village Lawa to pray for protection, prosperity, and a successful harvest.

Throughout the day, you’ll join local villagers as they celebrate traditions that have been passed down for centuries, offering a fascinating glimpse into the region’s unique spiritual and cultural heritage.

Overnight in Tongren.

Today, visit Guomari Village, renowned for its distinctive Military Dance, one of the most unique ceremonies of the Tongren Shaman Festival. Led by the village Lawa and local participants in traditional costume, the ceremony reflects centuries-old beliefs and remains an important part of the annual festival.

After the festival, visit Rongwo Monastery, the spiritual center of Rebkong and one of the most important monasteries in Amdo. It is also the birthplace of Rebkong Thangka Art, a UNESCO-recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage that continues to flourish today. If time permits, visit a local Thangka artist’s workshop to see this centuries-old tradition being practiced by hand.

Overnight in Tongren.

Spend the morning at Nianduhu Village, where you’ll experience another day of the Tongren Shaman Festival. Today’s celebrations feature the lively Dragon Dance, along with the traditional Face Piercing (Shangkouqian) and Back Piercing (Shangbeiqian) ceremonies, offering another opportunity to witness the region’s centuries-old spiritual traditions.

In the afternoon, leave Tongren behind and drive west to Xiahe, home to the famous Labrang Monastery. As you travel across the eastern Tibetan Plateau, enjoy views of rolling valleys, traditional Tibetan villages, and open pastoral landscapes before arriving in Xiahe.

Overnight in Xiahe.

This morning, visit Labrang Monastery, one of the six great monasteries of the Gelug school and the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery outside the Tibet Autonomous Region. Wander through its impressive assembly halls, prayer wheels, and long pilgrimage circuit while learning about its important role in preserving Tibetan Buddhism in Amdo.

Later, travel to the nearby Ganjia Grassland (or Sangke Grassland, depending on the guide arrangement) to visit a Tibetan nomad family in their traditional yak wool tent. Share a cup of butter tea, learn how yak dairy products are made, and gain a firsthand understanding of daily life on the grasslands. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the hospitality and traditions of Amdo’s nomadic communities.

Return to Xiahe for the night.

After breakfast, begin the journey to Lanzhou. En route, visit the remarkable Bingling Buddhist Grottoes, one of China’s oldest Buddhist cave temple complexes, with a history dating back more than 1,600 years. Carved into dramatic sandstone cliffs overlooking the Yellow River reservoir, the grottoes contain hundreds of Buddhist statues, murals, and caves that illustrate the spread of Buddhism along the ancient Silk Road.

Continue to Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province and an important trading city on the historic Silk Road. Upon arrival, your guide will transfer you to the airport, railway station, or hotel, marking the end of your Tongren Shaman Festival journey.