Xiahe (Gansu)
Travel Guide > Asia > China > Gansu > Xiahe
Introduction
Xiahe (夏河) is a very nice Tibetan town in Southern Gansu. The town is mainly on the northern side of the beautiful Daxia River valley. The main attraction of the town is Labrang Monastery, which is one of the main academic monasteries outside of Lhasa. Although a small city, countless numbers of pilgrims come every year to do the kora, which is 3km long and has over 1174 prayer wheels, around Labrang Monastery. This is a great town to visit if you do not have the time or money to make it deeper into Tibet.
Sights and Activities
Labrang Monastery
Labrang Monastery was a scholastic monastery built in 1709 and at its height had over 4000 monks. Due to the events of the 20th century the numbers have dwindled to about 1200 monks. The monastery is home to several lamas and to 6 colleges, which ranges from the college of Esoteric Buddhism to Medicine and astrology. There is even a college on Law. Labrang Monastery is one of the few monasteries in the world where a monk can gain a Geshe Degree, which is the highest degree a Buddhist monk can earn. There is also a small nunnery attached to the monastery.
The only way to visit the interior of the schools is on a tour lead by a monk in English every day at 10 am and 3 pm. Other than that, the monastery is completely open and free to wonder around. Many monks would be glad to sit and chat with you, so go and make a new friend. The monastery dominates the center portion of the town and is impossible to miss.
Tarzang Lake
Tarzang Lake is a nice lake located about 25km from town. This lake makes for a nice day trip and there are some nice hikes up the valley. Remember when hiking away from the lake there might be nomads herding yaks or other animals. The easiest way to get there is to hire a taxi for the day and have the driver wait for you. Another option is to cycle but there is a very step incline on the access road to the lake.
Hiking
Hiking is another option in the area. Just follow one of the canyons up around the town and they will get empty quite fast. Just remember to bring enough water with you and rocks to throw at feral dogs. People and herders do live up in the canyons so you might get invited into some ones home for a glass of yak butter tea and tsampa.
Events and Festivals
On the third day of the Tibetan new year (Losar) the Monlam Festival starts and on the 13th day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar the great thangka is shown. This thangka is 30m by 20m and is displayed on a hill over looking the monastery. Celebrations continue with Cham dancers and many other activities for three more days.
The second month of the Tibetan calendar also brings many festivals celebrating the coming of spring, which can be quite interesting.
Getting There
By Plane
By Train
By Car
By Bus
At the moment, the bus is the only option for getting to Xiahe. The bus station is located on the far east side of the town and might be worth the taxi. There are four buses a day to Lanzhou, half hourly buses to Hezuo, half hourly buses to Linxia, one bus a day to Langmusi, one bus a day to Xining and one bus a day to Tongren.
By Boat
Getting Around
By Car
By Public Transport
The bus station is a little far on the east side of town and is worth the 3 RMB taxi ride.
By Foot
The town runs along the river and is pretty easy to walk to everywhere near the Labrang Monastery.
By Bike
Eat
- Everst Café is located on the main street slightly east of Tara Guesthouse and has ok western food, even cheese pizza if you need one.
- Snowland Restaurant is located on the second floor across the street from the Tara guesthouse. This is a great place to grab a bite to eat with some interesting Tibetan western fusion. Try the Yak burgers or the steamed Yak milk tea (ask for it sweet if you don’t like salty drinks). And if you haven’t tried tsampa yet this might be the place to do it. Remember the staircase to the restaurant is around the corner.
Sleep
Budget
- Tara Guesthouse is a good place located right at the East entrance to the monastery. It has nice and comfortable budget dorm rooms, plus a few private rooms.
Mid-Range
Upscale
Keep Connected
Internet
There are several internet bars located on the main street between Labrang Monastery and the bus station. There is also a small internet bar located just south of the Tara Guesthouse.
Phone
Post
The post office is located on the south side of the main road half between Labrang Monastery and the bus station.
Banks
There are a few small banks on the main street that will exchange US dollars but none of them will cash travelers checks. International ATM service may be limited.
This is version 12. Last edited at 6:11 on May 15, 08 by GeoBot (+56). 4 articles link to this page.
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