Cultural Immersion

Gannan Tibetan Culture

6 Days / 5 Nights
Max 14 Travelers
Premium Experience

Tibetan Buddhism's
Sacred Heartland

Journey to Gannan — Tibet's spiritual heartland outside Tibet — for an extraordinary exploration of Tibetan Buddhism, Thangka painting, and ancient healing traditions.

Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu province is home to some of the most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the world, including Labrang Monastery, which houses over 3,000 monks.

This 6-day program offers privileged access to areas rarely seen by tourists, guided by local scholars and culminating in a hands-on Thangka painting workshop with a state-level ICH inheritor.

Thangka Master Workshop

Learn the sacred art of Thangka painting from state-level ICH inheritor Dehela Zhaxi.

Private Monastery Access

Access non-public areas of Labrang Monastery with special permissions and local scholars.

Tibetan Medicine Experience

Discover traditional Tibetan medicine practices and receive a consultation.

Accommodation

Boutique Tibetan-style hotel in Xiahe County. Modern comfort with traditional Tibetan aesthetics.

Meals Included

All meals featuring authentic Tibetan cuisine, including yak meat and barley specialties.

Duration

6 days / 5 nights. May-October departures for best weather.

Group Size

Maximum 14 travelers. Small groups for meaningful spiritual encounters.

Day by Day
Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Xiahe

Arrive in Lanzhou, transfer to Xiahe County in Gannan. Welcome dinner featuring Tibetan cuisine. Evening meditation session with local monks.
Tibetan Welcome Monk Meditation
Day 2

Labrang Monastery

Explore Labrang Monastery with exclusive access to areas not open to the public. Attend morning prayer ceremonies and receive a private teaching from a senior monk scholar.
Private Access Prayer Ceremony
Day 3

Thangka Workshop Begins

Begin your Thangka painting journey with state-level ICH inheritor Dehela Zhaxi. Learn the sacred geometry, iconography, and mineral pigment techniques of this ancient art form.
Thangka Master Sacred Art
Day 4

Tibetan Medicine & Grasslands

Visit a Tibetan medicine pharmacy and learn about traditional healing practices. Afternoon excursion to the stunning Gannan grasslands, visiting a traditional Tibetan nomad family.
Tibetan Medicine Nomad Visit
Day 5

Thangka Completion & Kumbum Monastery

Complete your Thangka painting with master Zhaxi's guidance. Visit Kumbum Monastery (Ta'er Monastery) near Xining — one of the six great monasteries of the Gelug school.
Complete Thangka Kumbum Monastery
Day 6

Departure

Take home your completed Thangka as a sacred memento. Transfer to Xining or Lanzhou airport for your onward journey.
Take Home Thangka Airport Transfer

Program Investment

£946 / person

What's Included

  • 5 nights Tibetan-style boutique hotel
  • All meals featuring Tibetan cuisine
  • All monastery and workshop access fees
  • Thangka workshop with master Zhaxi
  • Your completed Thangka painting
Enquire Now
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