Things to do in Tongren

Originally built in the 14th century, this Sakya temple later converted to the Gelugpa tradition. The pre-sunset sunlight shone brightly on the golden dome of the temple. Inside, only a few tourists were present, quietly admiring the Buddha statues, thangkas, and embroidery, all of which were truly magnificent. There were no guides or explanations within the temple, and while visitors were neither prohibited nor welcomed, it was a place of spiritual practice.

Regong art originated in the Huangnan Tibetan area of ​​Qinghai in the 13th century and developed with the prosperity of Longwu Temple. Regong art mainly refers to painting and plastic arts such as thangka, murals, pile embroidery, sculptures, etc. Regong art mainly focuses on the Buddha's life stories in Tibetan Buddhism, Tibetan historical figures and myths, legends, epics, etc., and also includes some secular content.

Guomari Castle is located not far from the north of Tongren City. People still live in the castle, which is still very large. There are many ancient residential houses that are hundreds of years old.

The purpose of the monastery is to study and transmit Rekong art, so there are many young lamas from all over the place, and it seems very lively.

Being part of Tibetan Buddhism, coming here is like entering another world, my restless heart instantly calms down!!!

Regong characteristic art, great! Don't miss it when you come to Qinghai for an in-depth tour

The temple is not big, but it is still good to go in and learn about the culture

The scenery at Chaka Salt Lake is quite nice for taking photos. The scenery is very weather-dependent. After playing for a while, I learned how to take pictures of reflections. Riding the little train can save a lot of energy. Wearing red boots and walking around the salt lake is quite eye-catching.

I hadn't originally planned to go, but I spent an extra day in Xining. Aside from being far from the city center, it was quite nice. I took bus 909 directly from Xining Station. At the entrance, I shared a guided tour with other tourists; there were quite a few unlicensed guides in the square. Their explanations were alright. At the butter sculpture museum, I encountered a little white cat and learned how to identify Master Tsongkhapa.

The Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum is well worth a visit, with its South and North wings each having their own focus. Its crown jewel is the Guinness World Record-holding 618-meter-long painted Thangka, created with natural mineral pigments and breathtaking detail. Other exhibits include Tibetan medicine mandalas, traditional costumes, ancient books and ritual implements, comprehensively showcasing the history, medicine, and customs of the Tibetan Plateau. Renting a guided tour is highly recommended to allow for a leisurely appreciation of Tibetan civilization; it's an excellent place in Xining to gain a deeper understanding of Tibetan culture.