Kumbum Monastery

If you only have three days to spare, make every hour count in Xining, Qinghai Province. ⠀ We started our adventure in Xining (西宁), the capital city of the province on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau - and a city that played a key role in trade and cultural exchange after opening the Silk Road. And one of the most famous historical places to visit near Xining is Ta’er Monastery (otherwise known as Kumbum Monastery).⠀ ⠀ With 400 years of history, this monastery is a religious activity center that still houses practising monks within the complex that comprises of Buddhist halls, large courtyards, multiple stupas and more. ⠀ It’s not just a Buddhist monastery. It’s a key cultural relic; a place of astounding architecture, vivid colours, mesmerising culture and beautiful craftsmanship / artwork - including delicate sculptures of Buddha, animals and flowers made of yak butter (which need to be crafted by hand in sub-zero temperatures...)! When you start to get peckish, grab a flaky bing filled with minced beef, leek, onion and cabbage. Could not get enough of the crispy, crunchy texture of the outer pastry and the moreish flavour of the filling.⠀ ⠀ 📍Xinqian Yeshi (Food Court) 新千夜市, Xining, Qinghai Province, China. While here you can pick up a variety of dishes native to the province, as well as a couple of other speciality dishes inspired by neighbouring regions! ⠀ 📍Kumbum Monastery, near Xining, Qinghai Province, China #urbanexplorer#qingmingtravel

Darlings😀, today I'm going to share with you a super detailed travel guide for Xining in June🎈! This place is a dazzling pearl on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau✨, with its unique charm and style😍. Geographic location👀: Xining is located in the eastern part of Qinghai Province🤩, and is an important gateway to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau👍. 😎Travel itinerary✨: Day one👉: Ta'er Monastery - Dongguan Mosque😃. Day two👉: Qinghai Provincial Museum - Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Natural Museum - Beichuan River Wetland Park🤩. Day three👉: Riyue Mountain - Dang River - Qinghai Lake😎. 🎉8 must-visit attractions🎈: Ta'er Monastery (Jinta Road, Huangzhong District)🙏: This ancient temple is filled with a mysterious aura😮, with spectacular architecture👏, and murals and Buddha statues that are astonishing👀. Dongguan Mosque (Dongguan Street, Chengdong District)🕌: Unique Islamic architectural style😃, immersing you in a strong religious atmosphere🤝. Qinghai Provincial Museum (Xiguan Street, Chengxi District)👀: A wealth of exhibits showcasing the history and culture of Qinghai📚, giving you a deeper understanding of this land🧐. Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Natural Museum (Jing'er Road, Biological Park Area, Chengbei District)🦘: Various rare specimens of animals and plants👍, making you feel as if you are in the midst of nature🤩. Beichuan River Wetland Park (Ningzhang Road, Chengbei District)🌳: A natural oxygen bar🎄, where you can stroll🚶♀️ and appreciate the tranquility and beauty🌸. Riyue Mountain (about 40 kilometers southwest of Huangyuan County)🌄: You can see beautiful grasslands and magnificent mountain scenery😍, as well as unique Tibetan culture👒. Dang River (Gonghe County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture)🎇: The river's reverse flow is a fascinating sight😮. Qinghai Lake (intersection of Gangcha County, Gonghe County, and Haiyan County)🌊: As dazzling as a sapphire✨, the lakeside scenery is intoxicating🤩. 😜How to enjoy these attractions🤔: Ta'er Monastery: Take your time visiting the temple buildings👀, listen to the guide's explanations🗣️, and feel the charm of religion🙏. Dongguan Mosque: Admire the architectural style😃, and understand the culture of Islam🧐. Qinghai Provincial Museum: Carefully observe the exhibits👀, and learn about the history and culture of Qinghai📚. Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Natural Museum: Experience the magic of nature👍, and gain knowledge🧐. Beichuan River Wetland Park: Walk🚶♀️, take photos📷, and enjoy the beauty of nature🌳. Riyue Mountain: Experience Tibetan customs👒, and admire the grasslands and mountain scenery🌄. Dang River: Watch the unique river landscape🎇. Qinghai Lake: You can walk by the lake🚶♀️, ride horses🐎, etc.🤩, and fully enjoy the beautiful scenery🌊. 🕙Opening hours of scenic spots: The opening hours of each attraction may vary🤔, it is recommended to check the relevant information in advance😃. 🎫Free admission: Beichuan River Wetland Park is free😆, darlings can enjoy it without any charge👏! 👗Personal travel tips🤝: The weather in Xining in June is quite pleasant😄, but there is a significant temperature difference between day and night🥶, remember to bring appropriate clothing👚, and keep warm🧥. Xining is at a high altitude🧗♀️, you may experience symptoms of altitude sickness🤒, it is advisable to prepare some medicine for altitude sickness prevention💊. Respect local religious and cultural customs🤝, to avoid unnecessary trouble😎. Food recommendations are here😋: Mo Jie Street😍: A variety of delicious foods👀, making you unable to stop eating😜. Shuijingxiang🤩: A paradise of food👄, with various special snacks waiting for you to taste😎. Xin Qian International Plaza🤤: A rich variety of food choices👅, satisfying your taste buds😆. Tangdao 637😃: A perfect combination of fashion and food🎊, making you linger😍. 😘To sum up🎈, Xining is a place full of charm✨, with beautiful natural scenery and rich cultural heritage🤩. The local food and scenery are enchanting😍, it's simply a paradise for tourists🎉. Darlings🥰, come and experience the unique charm of Xining💕!

A must-visit spot for a half-day tour in Xining. Xining is an underrated tourist city. If you only have half a day in Xining due to a transfer to Tibet or other reasons, I highly recommend visiting Ta'er Monastery! 📚Ta'er Monastery Trivia: In Tibetan, Ta'er Monastery is called 'Gomang Dratsang', which means 'Maitreya Temple with a hundred thousand lions roaring'. The stupa was built before the monastery, hence the name Ta'er Monastery. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug school (Yellow Sect) of Tibetan Buddhism, and has also been shortlisted for the 'Magical Northwest Top 100 Scenic Spots'. The monastery currently has over 9,300 rooms, covering an area of more than 600 acres, with 25 halls. 🎫Ticket Price: 70 RMB 🕙Opening Hours: Summer 7:30-18:30; Winter 8:00-16:30 📍Navigation: Huangzhong County Tibetan Hospital (The ticket office is next to the hospital) 🚌Transportation: It takes two hours by bus No. 909 from Xining Station, with a fare of 4 RMB; a taxi from the city center costs about 60 RMB. It's cheaper to share a ride if you are traveling alone. ⌚Recommended Visiting Time: At least 2 hours 👏Highly Recommended: If possible, hire a guide (I listened in on a guide 😜). Ta'er Monastery is well worth understanding for its butter sculptures, murals, and embroidery, which are known as the 'Three Wonders of Ta'er Monastery Art'. In addition, the monastery also treasures many Buddhist scriptures and academic works. ❗❗Important Notes: 1. The altitude of Xining is over 2,000 meters, which is not high; walking slowly and breathing slightly heavily is normal. 2. Dress appropriately, which is applicable when visiting temples and Taoist temples. 3. There are colorful braids for sale at the entrance, usually three for 10 RMB. 4. It's not easy to get a taxi back to the city center after the visit; you can negotiate with the driver, and a fare not exceeding 80 RMB is reasonable, with 70 RMB being the best. You can also look for someone to share a ride back. 5. Maintain reverence! Photography is prohibited inside the monastery, including Buddha statues and murals. 🤗Impression: If you only have half a day in Xining, I really recommend coming here. The monastery has numerous buildings with unique styles. Anyway, of all the monasteries I saw on my way to Tibet, Ta'er Monastery left the deepest impression on me. There are many more Tibet travel tips on my homepage, wishing everyone a pleasant journey~

Welcome to Qinghai, China’s fourth largest province and home to towering mountains, stunning waterscapes and a variety of folk cultures.⠀ ⠀ We started our adventure in Xining (西宁), the capital city of the province on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau - and a city that played a key role in trade and cultural exchange after opening the Silk Road. And one of the most famous historical places to visit near Xining is Ta’er Monastery (otherwise known as Kumbum Monastery).⠀ ⠀ With 400 years of history, this monastery is a religious activity center that still houses practising monks within the complex that comprises of Buddhist halls, large courtyards, multiple stupas and more. ⠀ ⠀ 📍Kumbum Monastery, near Xining, Qinghai Province, China #leaveyourmark

Gansu-Qinghai Grand Loop | Day02 Xining Ta'er Monastery The monastery was named after the pagoda that was built before it. It's a place of great interest for those fascinated by Buddhism and it's also a 5A-rated tourist attraction. - A single flower represents a whole world A single leaf represents enlightenment Some say that catching a leaf from the Bodhi tree makes you the luckiest person. I caught a couple, hoping for good health and fortune ❤️ - Exquisite murals Unique and ingenious Thangka embroidery Delicate and beautiful butter sculptures The three artistic wonders of Ta'er Monastery - Light a butter lamp Pray for your family's well-being and safety Turn the prayer wheels clockwise Hoping all your wishes come true - If your heart yearns, There is no place too far to reach - You must hire a guide to learn about the origins and legends of Ta'er Monastery - They said it's the off-season, but there are really quite a few people Otherwise, you could really stay in many places for a very long time... - At an altitude of 2700 meters, Xining Ta'er Monastery

Ta'er Monastery, also known as Kumbum Monastery, is located in the urban area of Huangzhong District, Xining City, the capital of Qinghai Province. It was founded in the 12th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1379) and is named after the Great Silver Pagoda built inside the Dajinwa Temple to commemorate Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery's butter sculptures, murals, and embroidery are known as the 'Three Wonders of Ta'er Monastery Art', and it also houses many Buddhist scriptures and academic works on history, literature, philosophy, medicine, legislation, and other fields. Ta'er Monastery is the center of Tibetan Buddhist activities in Northwest China and one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug school (Yellow Sect) of Tibetan Buddhism in China. It is also the leading historical and cultural site in Qinghai Province and a national key cultural relics protection unit. In 2018, it was shortlisted for the 'Magical Northwest Top 100 Scenic Spots' and is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. Ta'er Monastery, this ancient temple standing in the urban area of Huangzhong District, Xining City, Qinghai Province, is not only a holy land of Tibetan Buddhism but also a treasure of history and culture. Established in the 12th year of the Hongwu reign, it has withstood the test of time and remains standing firm, witnessing the passage of years and the steadfastness of faith.

Walking in the Kumbum Monastery with more than 600 years of history, touching the scattered temples on the Lotus Mountain, appreciating the art of ancient architecture, and feeling the peace in the strong light and shadow. The lifelike butter flowers, vivid murals and colorful embroidery make up the 'Three Wonders of Kumbum Monastery Art', which are amazing and stoppable. Kumbum Monastery has a history of more than 600 years and covers an area of more than 600 acres. The temple buildings are distributed on the slopes of Lotus Mountain, with the temples scattered high and low, reflecting each other. The Dajinwa Temple in the center of the temple, with green walls and golden tiles, is brilliant and is the main building of the temple. The Buddha statues in the temple are vivid and beautiful, and they are sacred. The lifelike butter flowers, colorful murals and colorful embroidery are known as the 'Three Wonders of Kumbum Monastery Art'. The temple also contains many Buddhist scriptures and academic classics in history, literature, philosophy, medicine, and legislation. Travel tips: 1. Kumbum Monastery is located in Xining, you can take bus 306 directly, open from 08:00-17:30. 2. Pay attention to dress requirements, you must wear long gowns and long skirts to enter. 3. There are many places in the temple where photography is prohibited, pay attention to the warning signs. 4. Try not to take pictures of local people or monks who are prostrating or turning scriptures. Recommended check-in locations: 1. The city gate at the ticket check-in. 2. The 'Kumbum Monastery' sign in front of the right hand side of the white tower when you come in, as well as the turning cylinder and three towers further down the slope. 3. There are many pigeons here, you need to compose the picture in advance and wait for the pigeons to fly over, which really requires some luck and patience. 4. After entering along the main road, there are many red walls, white walls and stacked ancient buildings, which are very photogenic under the light and shadow.

Holiday! The super long holiday of National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival is coming, why not pack up and set off! Many friends have consulted me about the Qinghai-Gansu big loop line, and I have organized some content about the Qinghai-Gansu big loop line self-driving that you must know, hurry up and like and collect it! 🔍About the Qinghai-Gansu loop line: The so-called big loop line is a self-driving route from Xining, Qinghai, all the way west to Dunhuang, then west to return to Gansu, along the Hexi Corridor and finally back to Xining. There are many scenic spots along the way, and the mainstream 5-day and 8-day routes on the Internet cannot perfectly cover all the scenic spots along the way. So in the choice of route, it depends on whether you focus on the scenery or culture. 🗓️Main scenic spot strategy: It's impossible to be meticulous, but there can be a focus. Combined with my own experience and online information, I have summarized a version of the recommended key scenic spots (with recommended reasons) ✔️Xining Ta'er Monastery: Gelugpa monastery, the master Tsongkhapa walked out from here, the red wall is very photogenic. ✔️Qinghai Lake: It is said that Tsangyang Gyatso died here, one of the highest lakes in the world. ✔️Chaka Salt Lake: The mirror of the sky, is one of the "55 places a person must go in his lifetime" selected by National Geographic magazine. ✔️Dachaidan Emerald Lake: Compared to the fame of Chaka Salt Lake, this place is relatively niche, especially suitable for aerial photography!!! ✔️Wuwei Leitai: The location of ancient Liangzhou, Gansu Wuwei, the famous horse stepping on the flying swallow is from the Leitai Han tomb here. ✔️Qilian Mountain: The part where Qinghai and Gansu meet, the Qilian Mountains have many birds and animals and beautiful scenery. ✔️Zhangye Colorful Danxia: God spilled the palette here, a typical representative of the Danxia landform. ✔️Jiayuguan: "The first strong pass in the world", many frontier poems are related to him, remember to take a photo with the popular Guanchang. ✔️Mingsha Mountain: Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring is a must-visit attraction in Dunhuang, climb the sand dunes to overlook the Crescent Spring, wait for the moon to come out, super artistic conception. ✔️Mogao Grottoes: The most famous grottoes, the cultural value is immeasurable. ⚠️Don't drive alone!!! Coming out of Xining, the Ta'er Temple to Dachaidan section will have mild altitude sickness, rest appropriately, eat something, there is no need to buy oxygen. 🚗About self-driving: The whole journey is either a highway or a national road. As long as you don't want to challenge those sections that have not been repaired, a general car is fine. There are many people traveling during the small long holiday, and there will be traffic jams, which cannot be avoided. 📸Photography suggestions: 1️⃣There are different features all the way, it is recommended to bring a few more lenses, 16-35, 70-200 are the minimum. 2️⃣Drones are banned in Jiayuguan, Mogao Grottoes, Ta'er Temple and other places, be sure to understand in advance. I am Gala, an amateur photographer who likes to go on a whim, but doesn't know how to press the shutter~ 🛻🛻🛻🛻🛻🛻🛻🛻🛻 🚙Transportation: Many routes are gathered from Xining, there are chartered tours, and there are travel groups. If you are self-driving, I suggest you can start from Lanzhou, stay for one more day, Lanzhou city is always easily overlooked. Like and follow to not get lost❤️

Kumbum Monastery, also known as Ta'er Monastery, is located at No. 56 Jinta Road, Huangzhong District, Xining City, Qinghai Province. It is one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug school (Yellow Sect) of Tibetan Buddhism in China. The temple is built against the mountain with a unique architectural style. The buildings are irregularly distributed on the hills, forming a unique layout. The butter sculptures, murals, and embroidery in the temple are known as the 'Three Wonders of Ta'er Monastery Art.' These artworks are exquisite in craftsmanship, filled with strong religious and ethnic characteristics. Every year, Kumbum Monastery holds grand religious events. Here we can learn about religious culture, experience its artistic charm, feel the wisdom of the local ethnic groups, and understand its rich cultural connotations and religious atmosphere (accessible by bus in Xining or by self-driving)

Qinghai Ta'er Monastery / Photo-taking and Touring Guide / The First Stop on the Great Northwest Circuit We took the train to Xining Station We chartered a car online, and the driver picked us up near the train station and went straight to Ta'er Monastery! 🚗From Xining city center to Ta'er Monastery: about 30 minutes Touring time: about 2 hours Ticket price: Peak season (April 1st to October 31st) $70 per person, off-season $40 per person ⭐Photo-taking and touring suggestions: At that time, we chose places where there were no people to take photos, but as soon as we finished taking photos at one spot, people would start queuing up there to check in, I must be really good at taking photos! ⭐When we went, it was the time when the bodhi trees were blooming, paired with the red walls, it was really beautiful! (Available around July) ⭐Photography is not allowed inside the halls, pay attention to the no smoking signs, no pets allowed inside, and no shorts or short skirts allowed ⭐If you want to understand the history of the temple, you can find a guide. The ultraviolet rays are very strong, remember to wear sunscreen. Walk slowly, as you might experience some altitude sickness. 💋Outfit suggestions: You can choose red/green/blue/white for your clothing as the colors of the buildings inside the monastery are very bright and saturated, so we should also choose clothing with high saturation to stand out in the photos! ❤️❤️Alright! That's all for today's share! If you have any questions, you can ask me in the comments section!

How many secrets does a person need to hide to cleverly get through life; this plateau bathed in Buddha's light, every few steps is heaven; yet there are still so many people, burdened by their worries, unable to move forward. ——Cangyang Gyatso I can't think of any words to describe the feeling when you see with your own eyes the worshippers you could only learn about on TV or the internet before, I was shocked that there is such a different kind of people. 💰Ta'er Monastery ticket: ¥70/person 💎Please explain additional fees: ¥90/3 people 🉑PS: It is recommended to buy a guide‼️After checking the ticket, there will be many locals asking if you want a guide, they will keep asking you. The price is basically between ¥100-¥140. Share the group with others, and remember to bargain with them. If you just come to take pictures, then the ticket is given for nothing, with a guide you can accurately understand the culture of Ta'er Monastery and interesting points. 🚎Transportation: 1️⃣Bus 909 can reach Ta'er Monastery, the whole journey is more than an hour; 2️⃣Take a Didi, with a discount the whole journey is ¥80, it's affordable if shared by three people; we kept the driver's number, he won't go back if he doesn't pick up people. The same person took us around later. ❤🌟Highlights and check-in points: 1️⃣Babao Ruyi Tower: You can take very deep photos; 2️⃣Dajinwa Palace: It is not allowed to take pictures inside the palace, the base of the Buddha statue inside is inlaid with many priceless jewels, more expensive than gold😍🤩. You can take pictures of the golden tiles by turning right outside (picture 6), according to the guide, the golden tiles of the Dajinwa Palace weigh more than 700 jin, very majestic and spectacular. 3️⃣Xiaojinwa Temple: There are real animal specimens that are several hundred years old: wolves🐺, sheep🐑, cows🐮, etc; 4️⃣Dajing Hall: This is even more worth understanding, it is the place where the monks of the monastery concentrate on chanting sutras, and it also treasures the only remaining 18 pieces of embroidery, it is said that no one has this skill now. There are also butter flowers, all hand-pinched one by one. The rest are murals, known as the 'three arts of Ta'er Monastery'. They are all cultural heritages worth our careful understanding. The whole journey takes about 2 hours, and there are many features that cannot be reproduced, such as the ochre hemp walls of the buildings, the deeds of various Dalai Lamas, all worth our understanding.

🌄 Opening Journey: Departing from Xining Step onto the Qinghai mini circuit starting from Xining, the city on the plateau is your starting point. Xining Railway Station is located in the city center, with convenient transportation. Whether you take the airport shuttle bus or a ride-hailing service, you can easily get there. Fill your stomach, and we are about to set off! 🚗 First Day Tour: Ta'er Monastery and Qinghai Lake The first day's journey is 330km, where you will encounter the tranquility and mystery of Ta'er Monastery, the center of Tibetan Buddhism activities in the northwest region, telling stories of a thousand years. Then, drive to Qinghai Lake, the largest saltwater lake in the inland, which will show its unique romance and grandeur. Stay near Qinghai Lake in Gonghe County or Chaka Town to rest up for tomorrow's adventure. 🌄 The Next Day's Adventure: Salt Lake and Cliffs The second day's journey is about 380km, and you will first set foot on Chaka Salt Lake, as if entering a kingdom of salt, where every step feels like walking in the clouds. Next, you will pass through the most beautiful lakeside road of Qinghai Lake and arrive at the cliffs, one of the four great 'seas' of Qinghai Lake, with breathtaking scenery. 🏔️ Third Day Exploration: Qilian Mountains and Flower Sea On the third day, starting from Qilian County, you will cross the Qilian Mountain grassland, feeling the endless yellow grass and snow-capped mountains. The beauty of Gangshita Snow Peak will make you feel as if you are in a dream. Finally, you will reach the Meiyuan rapeseed flower sea, a hundred-mile stretch of flower sea, which is a stunning view of Qinghai. 🎉 Closing Words: Qinghai's mini circuit, a journey well worth it On this Qinghai mini circuit trip, you will experience the grandeur and mystery of the plateau and the wonders of nature. Departing from Xining, passing through Ta'er Monastery, Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, the cliffs, Qilian Mountains, and finally to the Meiyuan rapeseed flower sea, each place is a beautiful painting. Qinghai, waiting for you to explore!🌈