Qinghai Journey
Experience Qinghai's festivals, temples, and rich Thangka art traditions
Rebgong Shaman Festival
Step into the living heart of Qinghai’s cultural heritage on this extraordinary journey through Regong, where ancient beliefs, artistic expression, and breathtaking natural scenery come together in one unforgettable experience. At the center of the tour is the legendary Rebgong June Festival, a vibrant traditional celebration shared by Tibetan and Tu communities across 22 villages. With a history of more than 1,400 years, the festival brings villagers together in a powerful display of ritual dance, chanting, prayer, and communal devotion, offering travelers a rare chance to witness one of the most authentic living traditions in the Qinghai-Tibet region.
Upcoming Tour
Tour Dates
July 30th - August 8th, 2026 (10Days, 9Nights)
Meeting Point
Xining Caojiapu International Airport
Location: Qinghai Province, Tongren, Rebgong
Xining - Zhangye - Zhuoer Mountain - Qilian Mountain Grassland - Biandukou - Zhangye - Menyuan - Qinghai Lake - Chaka Salt Lake - Chaka Salt Lake - Shachung Monastery - Kanbula National Forest Park - Tongren - Ganjia Secret Land
Tour Theme:
Intense Shaman Festival rituals (sacred dances and body-piercing ceremonies)
Tibetan Buddhist culture
Ancient monasteries
Thangka Art
Epic landscapes in Gansu Region
Tour Background
This journey is designed as a breathtaking Qinghai–Gansu–Amdo cultural and scenic loop, beginning with the wide-open beauty of Xining, Zhangye, Qilian, Menyuan, Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, and Kanbula National Forest Park, where every day brings a new landscape of grasslands, snow mountains, alpine pastures, and mirror-like lakes. From there, the trip deepens into the living traditions of Tongren, where we will spend several days experiencing the Rebgong Shaman Festival, a rare and powerful celebration of ritual, dance, and devotion that has been part of local life for more than 1,400 years. Finally, the journey ends in the hidden beauty of Ganga Secret Scenic Spot, a dramatic Tibetan landscape of cliffs, grasslands, lakes, canyons, and stone forests, making it the perfect finale for travelers seeking both cultural immersion and unspoiled wilderness.
Experience annual celebrations and festivals, including the The Shaman Festival.
Visit sacred and historical sites such as the Qinghai Lake and the Shachung Monastery.
Surround yourself with beautiful scenery from the Danxia landforms, emerald waters and lush forest geology.
Travel across different regions from Xining to Rebgong and Tibetan villages. Guided tour with pre-arranged transport and hotels.
Visiting the homes of locals to embrace and learn about their culture.
Itinerary
Our 10Days journey
Arrival at Xining
Experience the breathtaking scenery of National Highway 227, celebrated as one of the "Three Most Beautiful National Highways in China."
Qilian Mountain
Admire the vast fields of golden rapeseed flowers. As a key section of the ancient Silk Road, it remains a breathtaking testament to history and nature.
It is world-renowned for the spectacular landscapes of Bird Island, and its vibrant Tibetan cultural heritage.
Qinghai Lake
Kanbula
It is a unique destination that seamlessly blends cultural heritage, religious sites, Danxia landforms, emerald waters, and lush forest geology.
The Shaman Festival - Dragon Dance
Our first stop is to witness the Dragon Dance, where villagers - ranging from young children to the elderly - form a long, rhythmic line.
The Shaman Festival - Divine Dance
The Shaman Festival - Military Dance
The most breathtaking highlights of the June Shamanic Festival are the Kouqian (Mouth Piercing) and Beiqian (Back Piercing) rituals. In a display of profound faith, the shaman pierces the cheeks of young volunteers with steel needles—a practice traditionally believed to ward off illness.
Tibetan Home Visit
Discover the 'Gemstones on Canvas.' Thangka art is the soul of Tibetan heritage, painted with ground lapis lazuli and cinnabar to ensure its colors never fade, even through centuries of history. Experience this sacred craft at a local academy, followed by an intimate home visit to dive deep into the heart of Tibetan hospitality and traditions.
Ganjia Secret Land
Ganjia’s rare geology brings together towering cliffs, hidden caves, and emerald grasslands. It is also home to the mysterious Bajiao Ancient City—China’s only cross-shaped ancient fortification, a true architectural marvel standing the test of time.
Day 10: Heading back to Xining Caojiapu International Airport
Day 1
Each village hosting the festival has one or two shamans, known as the intermediaries between the human and divine worlds. It is believed they can summon deities to possess their bodies and speak on their behalf.
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Price Includes:
Price Not Included:
Transfer by private car throughout the tour (arrival and departure Xining Caojiapu International Airport)
Accommodation in hotels of the same grade as listed in the itinerary, subject to availability. (based on double-occupancy; please contact us for the add-on fee if a private room is required);
Daily breakfast throughout the tour
Private English-speaking guide and coordinator, with translation support throughout the tour.
All activites (workshops,cultural experiences etc.) listed in the itinerary
All entry fees to museums and attractions visited along the itinerary.
International flights
Meals not listed in the summary itinerary
Personal expenses
Important Travel Awareness:
Cultural Ceremonies:
The Rebgong June Festival features authentic shamanic rituals that may include body-piercing, bloodletting, and intense spiritual practices. These are sacred local traditions—viewer discretion is advised for sensitive travelers.
High Altitude Precautions:
This tour reaches elevations above 3,000 meters (10,000 feet). Altitude sickness is a real risk. Consult your doctor, prepare personal medications, and monitor your health. We provide guidance but no medical support.
