Discover the ancient Tongren Rebkong Shaman Festival on this 6-day cultural journey through Qinghai, China. Witness centuries-old Tibetan religious rituals, sacred village processions, traditional warrior and dragon dances, and the extraordinary cheek and back steel pin piercing ceremony, a rare expression of devotion and spiritual tradition. Explore historic Tibetan Buddhist and Bon monasteries, admire the world-renowned Rebkong Thangka art, and experience authentic Amdo Tibetan culture and living village traditions. An unforgettable journey into the spiritual heritage and cultural treasures of Qinghai.XINING > KANBULA > TONGREN > XINING 

XINING > KANBULA > TONGREN > XINING 

🍀 Fully escorted tour with an English-speaking guide

🍀 Tailor-made private tour to fit your plan

🍀 No forced shopping stops

🍀 Comfortable transportation to sites 

🍀 Gourmet food of authentic local cuisine 

D1 | 2027-07-23 | XINING START

D2 | 2027-07-24 | XINING > KANBULA > TONGREN

D3 | 2027-07-25 | TONGREN REBKONG SHAMAN FESTIVAL ❶ 

D4 | 2027-07-26 | TONGREN REBKONG SHAMAN FESTIVAL ❷ 

D5 | 2027-07-27 | TONGREN REBKONG SHAMAN FESTIVAL ❸

D6 | 2027-07-28 | TONGREN > XINING AIRPORT

☑ ACCOMM: Deluxe hotels, based on twin-sharing

☑ MEAL: Breakfasts at hotels

☑ TRANSP: Air-conditioned private vehicle with an experienced driver

☑ GUIDE: Experienced English-speaking local guide

☑ SIGHTS: Entrance fees for all sights listed   

☑ OTHER: Food & lodgings for guide & driver           

☑ COMP: 2 bottles of mineral water per person per day

☒ Chinese visa

☒ International airfare

☒ Meals (lunch & dinner) at your own expenses

☒ Travel insurance

☒ Optional or additional activities

☒ Personal expenditures

☒ Tips for guide & driver

D1 | 2027-07-23 | XINING START

● Xining arrival and pick-up

● Tibetan Culture and Medicine Museum - A a national first-class museum of Tibetan culture and medicine. Its South Hall features Tibetan history, art, and a 618-meter thangka, while the North Hall covers Tibetan medical history and instruments

● Xiananguan Muslim Snack Street - A lively Hui Muslim food street in Xining's Chengdong District. It's known for authentic local snacks like grilled lamb skewers, handmade yogurt, and flatbreads

D2 | 2027-07-24 | XINING > KANBULA > TONGREN

● Kanbula National Forest and Geopark (Incl. shuttle, boat) - A UNESCO Global Geopark , known for its striking red Danxia landforms set against emerald lakes and dense forests

● Head to Tongren

D3 | 2027-07-25 | TONGREN REBKONG SHAMAN FESTIVAL ❶ 

● Longwu Monastery - A major Tibetan Buddhist monastery, founded in 1301 during the Yuan Dynasty. It is the largest Gelugpa monastery in southern Qinghai and the birthplace of the famous Regong art tradition, known for its thangka paintings and intricate architecture

● Lingya Village Rebgong June Festival - Held in a traditional Tibetan mountain village, this authentic living religious ritual begins with juniper smoke offering and a sacred village deity procession. Local villagers perform three classic ritual dances, highlighted by the unique voluntary cheek and back steel pin piercing ceremony. The sacred ritual is held to pray for village peace, health and abundant harvests, with no staged performances for tourism  

D4 | 2027-07-26 | TONGREN REBKONG SHAMAN FESTIVAL ❷ 

● Wangjia Monastery - Qinghai’s largest Bon monastery, tiered hillside complex nicknamed Little Potala Palace, founded in 1062. Admire ancient Bon murals, scriptures and distinctive left-facing yungdrung symbols

● Gonmar Village Rebgong June Festival - Hosted in a well-preserved ancient stone fortress village, this authentic living religious ritual features juniper smoke offering, sacred deity procession, and the spectacular Mohzé military warrior dance. Local villagers wear traditional warrior costumes and perform formation dances to re-enact ancient battles, with a butter-tsampa sacred sheep sculpture burned at the ritual climax to pray for village safety and good harvest. Different from Lingya Village, no steel pin piercing ceremony is held here

D5 | 2027-07-27 | TONGREN REBKONG SHAMAN FESTIVAL ❸

● Upper Wutun Monastery - A vibrant centre of Regong art, known for its exquisite thangka paintings and lively monk community

● Lower Wutun Monastery - Just a short distance away, this monastery offers a quieter, more introspective atmosphere. Its murals and sculptures reveal the spiritual depth and artistic mastery of the Regong tradition

● Togya Village Rebgong June Festival - Held in a quiet traditional mountain village, this authentic living religious ritual opens with juniper smoke offering and a sacred deity procession through household lanes. Villagers perform god dance and dragon dance, accompanied by drum rhythms to honour the mountain deity. The ceremony prays for rainfall, healthy livestock and bumper crops, and it features the shaman’s forehead bloodletting rite without mass steel pin piercing

D6 | 2027-07-28 | TONGREN > XINING AIRPORT

● Hotel-Airport transfer in Xining, abt 2.5hrs. End of service