TREK001-4: Trekking around Nianbaoyuze Mountain

Introduction:

Nianbaoyuze is a holy mountain in Guoluo Plain, Qinghai. Its main peak is at an elevation of 5369 meters above sea level. Nothing is better than the changeable weather can show the mystery of Nianbaoyuze. You may also appreciate the change of the four seasons in July and August. In the starry dawn, the heavy snow falling in succession and the pressing algidity make a prospect of deep winter. While the red sun is rising gradually from the east, the whole mountain is filled with heavy fog. Soon the full earth is showered under the golden sunshine and the sky is a limpid blue, as if swept clean of everything. In the morning, the thick cloud spreads over the mountain densely and it begins to rain pouringly. At noon, the dispersed clouds, lifted fog, and the scorching sun bring us to the hot summer at its height. In the afternoon, the sun falls to the west and the plain restores its former serenity completely.

Trekking around Nianbaoyuze Mountain

Ninanbaoyuze uncovers its mysterious veil and stands there slimly and gracefully. Its kind and sweet countenance reemerges before us. Nianbaoyuze, the holy mountain, is well known for its folded mountain chain, silvery snowy mountain range, thunder in the severe winter, and snow in the midsummer, ringing stone in the wind, bright moon and brilliant stars.

Day1: Arrive in Beijing, transport to the hotel.

Day2: Sightseeing in Beijing

Visit the Forbidden City, Tian’anmen Square and Jingshan Park.

Day3: Fly to Xining

Fly to Xining – the capital city of Qinghai Province. In the afternoon we’ll visit Kumbum Monastery, one of the six great Lamaism monasteries in China. The founder of the Yellow Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) was born here.The monastery was first built in 1379 in memory of him.

In its prosperous period, there were four thousand monks lived here. The monastery has totally fifty-two halls and more than nine thousand meditation rooms.

Day4: Drive to Labrang

Drive about 7 hours to Labrang Monastery. On the way we can see wide, quiet and beautiful pasture scenery.

Day5: Visit Labrang: Labrang Monastery

Labrang Monastery, one of the six most important monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism, was first built in 1709. There live more than 1000 monks. They learn about medicine, astronomy, etc. here. A lot of herdsmen come here to pray from remote places and present their barley, butter and Khadaks. A worship ceremony to Buddha is held here every morning.

Day6: Drive to Tongren

Today we’ll drive to Tongren along the way back to Xining. Visit Longwu and Wutong monasteries, which are famous for Tangka paintings.

Day7: Drive to Zeku

Drive to Zeku. Overnight in Zeku in a gesthouse.

Day8: Drive to Machen

Drive to Machen, a Tibetan county, visiting Ragya Monastery on the way.

Day9: Drive to Dari

Drive to Dari County through wide grasslands, enjoying beautiful views of summer pastureland dotted with tents made of yak hair.

Day10: Begin to trek

Drive over 200km to the starting place of trekking where our yaks, horses and the people who take care of the animals are waiting. Drive half an hour to Ximenso Lake after determining with the camel worker the next day's departure time. Ximenso Lake is a holy lake, like many lakes in Nianbaoyuze Mountain area. We will begin to set up our tents at camping place. In front of us stand prayer flags by the lake. Blue sky, white clouds and colorful flags are all reflected in the mirror of the lake. Overnight in tent.

Day11-Day17: Trek around Nianbaoyuze Mountain

Nibaoyuze means dignified Jade Mountain, which is 5369 meters above sea level. A legend says that the God of Nibaoyuze Mountain let his third daughter marry the hero from Kailasch, who defeated a yak demon. Tibetan people lived in Aba and Jiuzhi were all his descendants.

There are three snow-covered peaks on the mountain. Deep-colored rocks and glaciers in the valley can be seen in the distance. Snow and the melting water from glaciers give birth to more than 160 lakes. The place where we'll trek in is 4000-4600m above sea level. Even at such an elevation, many wild flowers, like edelweiss, open their colorful petals in summer. We’ll find the Tibetan summer pasturelands by the river or lake in the green valley, dotted with one or two felt tents and herds of sheep and yaks.

On the first day, we'll walk five hours to Marza. On the second day, walk 7-8 hours, passing through a mountain pass at 4500 meters above Sea level, to Emucugongma, then set up tents by the lake. On the third day we will walk 6 hours to Qizhengnieha, and on the fourth day we will walk 7 hours, passing through a mountain pass which is 4300 meters above sea level, to Dehasongduo. On the fifth day, trek 6 hours to Longkegawuke, on the sixth day travel 7 hours, passing through a mountain pass of 4600 meters to Haar Lake. On the seventh day, walk 4 hours to Gadanosonduo. Overnight in tent

Day18: Drive to Aba

We will meet our jeeps at the foot of the mountain in the morning and drive over 130km to Aba. Overnight in tent.

Day19: Sightseeing in Aba

Aba is a Tibetan county, since few travelers’ footprints has left here, it remains primitive. Herdsmen ride horses through the county and buy pancakes to eat at vendor's stands on the street. Some of clay houses are daubed with two white strips on the wall, looking quite mysteries. This shows that people live in these houses are embracers of Bon Sect – an original and native religion in Tibetan area. Today we will visit Yellow Sect monastery build in 1870. There are 800 monks in it and 300 monks in Langyi Monastery. Since the 11th Century, the original Tibetan religion was almost disappeared and changed into Tibetan Buddhism.

Day20: Drive to Chengdu

Drive to Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuang Province. Overnight in Chengdu.

Day21: Fly to Beijing

Check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport/railway station to catch the flight/train to home.

The best time: June 15.-August 30.

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