Tongren (China)

It can easily be reached by bus from Xiahe or Lanzhou as well as from Xining, the capital of the province. The road itself is worth the trip (ignoring the extremely tight bends and often crowded buses!) as it passes through spectacular landscapes and offers breathtaking views at regular intervals along the way.

Tongren's main attraction is the great Rongwo Monastery (also known as Longwu Monastery), which was founded under the Yuan dynasty (13th and 14th century). The monastery is free to visit. A little further away – allow one hour if walking, or use one of the numerous taxis – lies the Wutun Monastery, which is particularly renowned when it comes to thangka art. The region is actually famous for its artists and the thangkas they produce: thangkas are religious images created on fabrics via embroidery, painting or an appliqué process. It is possible to explore the local area and enjoy the remarkable landscapes around Tongen via the various hiking routes, of both shorter and longer distances, that set out from the city.