Youshu Horse Festival Tours

Deep in the heart of Kham, Tibetans gather every summer to attend the spectacular Yushu Horse Festival. Colorful Tibetan tents surround the grassy racing grounds and more than ten thousand people come together to join in the festivities. Shows of horsemanship skills, including archery on horseback and racing, are the main events. Tibetans from different regions perform their local songs and dances and women compete in traditional Tibetan fashion shows. Out of all the horse festivals in Tibet, the one in Yushu is by far and the largest and most famous.

Day 1: Arrive in Xining

Welcome to Xining! Transfer to your hotel and get settled.

Day 2: Xining

In the morning, visit the largest Tibetan Medical Museum. In the afternoon, visit Gunlung Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Qinghai.

Day 3: Xining- Kumbum monastery – Qinghai Lake – Chabcha

Visit Kumbum, one of the six largest Gelupa sect monasteries in Tibet. It was founded in 1560 by the great master Rinchen Tsondru Gyaltsen to commemorate the birth place of Tsongkhapa, the reformer of Tibetan Buddhism and founder of Gelupa sect. Drive to Qinghai lake, the largest salt lake in China. Afterwards, drive up a hill to take in the sunset over the lake.

Day 4: Chabcha to Yushu (Jyekundo)

Drive across the rolling Amdo grasslands and visit a Tibetan nomad tent.

Day 5: Yushu

Hike or drive up to Jyegu monastery, located on a hill behind the town. Visit Gyana Mani Stone Pile, a huge pile of stones carved with Tibetan Buddhist prayers. There are always good opportunities to take photos of locals pilgrim around the Mani Stone.

Day 6: Horse Racing Festival Site

Drive to the horse racing ground to watch the races. In the afternoon see traditional dances from different regions of Yushu.

Day 7: Horse Racing Festival Site

Watch yak racing and traditional Tibetan fashion shows.

Day 8: Horse Racing Festival Site

Watch religious dances performed by monks and other activities.

Day 9: Drive back to Matoi

Day 10: Matoi to the Two Sister Lakes (Lake Gyarang and Ngorang)

These two stunning lakes are about 100km out of town at the source of the Yellow River. Watch carefully for wild animals on the way. Once there, take a short hike up to the hill for a fantastic view of the two lakes then drive back to Matoi.

Day 11: Matoi to Xining

Day 12: Depart Xining

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