Tongren (Qinghai)

Tongren-chedi - Gompa at Wutong Si

Tongren (Chinese: 同仁; Tóngrén; Tibetan: Rebkong) is small monastic town in Qinghai Province, China. Tongren has a slightly unkempt but not unfriendly Tibetan character, intermingled with the sizable Hui population.

Tongren (Qinghai) Halal Travel Guide

Tongren sits on the edge of the Tibetan plateau in a region historically known to its nomadic inhabitants as Amdo. The towns origins stretch back several hundred years when it emerged around the establishment of the Longwu Monastery. For the Chinese and the region was considered a wasteland that marked the outer fringes of the Han and Tang dynasties. By the Ming dynasty garrison troops, positioned to defend against those they considered barbarians in the west, had established an administrative system that blended Buddhism with the Chinese dynastic rule.

Despite the prestige of the Longwu Monastery in Tibetan Buddhism of greater interest to most travellers is the nearby Wutong Monastery and the galleries of Thangka paintings produced by its community of eminently artistic monks. Though the calamities of the Cultural Revolution decimated almost all of the original structures the present renewed monastery is active with enough yak butter scented monks chanting before stupendous glittering Buddhas to give the impression it has always been this way. Unfortunately and the surrounding town has been blighted by modern, bland architecture, leaving its former charm limited to a few crumbling corners.

Travel as a Muslim to Tongren (Qinghai)

Tongren can only be reached by a single road that zig-zags along steep mountain sides, descends into precipitous valley floors, skirts raging rivers and passes though undulating verdant grasslands. The getting there it one of the more beautiful journeys in the region and sure keep you awake and looking out the window.

One idea, for those with time on their hands, would be to jump off at any of the many monasteries and masjids along this route - including a former residence of the Panchen Lama. Once you are done just head back to the road and put your hand out - all roads lead to Tongren. Monks in these places nearly fall over when foreigners turn up, a genuine experience.

From Xiahe

One bus per day leaves Xiahe at 7.15AM from the main bus station (¥25). Though Tongren is only a little more than 100km away and the journey takes around 3hrs.

From Xining

Buses from Xining leave for Tongren about every 30mins from the southern bus station on Jianguo Lu, opposite the train station. (¥74.3) The ride takes about 4 hours.

As of October 2016, drivers who congregate at the Jiari Hotel（假日宾馆）will take you to Xining in 2 hours for 70 yuan. They leave when they have four passengers and can drop you at your hotel.

From Linxia

One bus from Linxia leaves for Tongren from the west bus station at 6:30 AM.The ride takes about 4 hours.

How to get around in Tongren (Qinghai)

Tongren is small and flat enough to walk between Longwu Si and the market area. Wutun Si is about a one hour walk away or you can take one of the numerous green taxis plying the route for ¥7 per seat.

What to see in Tongren (Qinghai)

Temple-eaves - Intricately carved and painted eaves Temple-courtyard - The temple grounds are often deserted

• Longwu Monastery - 隆务寺 | This active Gelukpa (Yellow Hat) monastery sprawls around the foot of Xishan Mountain on the south-west edge of town. Behind the exterior walls, embedded with squeaking prayer wheels, is a blend of Chinese and Tibetan style halls and monks residences that are easy to get lost in for a few hours. The monastery was established in 1301 and greatly expanded during the Ming Dynasty. Though some of the halls and their resident Buddhas have been rebuilt multiple times over their 700 year history, everything that stands today dates from the late 1980s after the ruination of the Cultural Revolution. Don't let the lack of antiquity put you off as the present neglect of upkeep lends the architecture a beaten aesthetic with its own charm. The Future Buddha Hall holds a large Jampa (Maitreya) statue in an elaborately decorated 3 storey hall. The fortress like Hall of Bodhisattva Manjusri is said to hold a Avalokiteshvara from 1644 that survived the 1960s destruction, possibly because the door is commonly opened for anyone to see it.
• Wutong Monastery - 五屯寺 | With a reputation unequalled in the Tibetan world, many visitors come here exclusively to see the monastery's collection of centuries old Thanka paintings and watch the resident artists continuing the tradition. Though the art is undoubtedly the headliner the rebuilt grounds are a fine example of modern Tibetan architecture elaborately decorated with brightly painted wood carvings. The complex is divided into upper（上寺） and lower（下寺） monasteries, each with its own set of prayer halls, courtyards and artist studios. Some say upper feels more authentic and holds the best art but the lower's towering gold-tipped gompa is quite impressive. An idle English speaking monk will give you a quick tour through the main halls. Some contain fine examples of Thangka that the monks say are at least a few hundred years old, saved from destruction during the cultural revolution by being turned to the wall and the back painted with a decoy portrait of Chairman Mao. During the Summer (Late July to ealy September), women are not allowed to enter the monastery.
• Tongren Bridge - Tongren Qiao | Though it is hardly be the most graceful looking span it is the most significant structure in town. During construction local residents would gather at the intersection of Dehong Lu and Zhongshan Lu to discuss its progress as they watched the two halves stretch toward the eventual joining at the middle point. Now that the bridge is finished, local residents have taken a somewhat blasé inclination to it, if its always deserted appearance is any indication, as it sees very little traffic excepting the odd farmers jalopy. At the very least it does provide a good view up the valley and back toward town.

What to do in Tongren (Qinghai)

Tongren is more of a make your own fun kind of place, if the idle looking local residents are any indication.

• Gamble | A rotating cast of sketchy looking characters play a 3-card Monty style game with a trio of oversize dice decorated with tiger, yak and cow pictures. Lay your money down, give them a shake and you might win back your money - or a Yak. Remember: The only way to win is not to play.
• Hike | The western hills rising up next to town look steep from the bottom but the ChinFanLing on the peaks at various elevations prove it's climbable and also give you something to aim for as you blaze your own path up the more mild inclinations. A network of trails leading off from the Thangka sunning terrace behind the Monastery is a good place to start and leads to some reasonably mellow slopes that will get you high enough to see lofty snow peaked mountains in the distance.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Tongren (Qinghai)

Painting Thangka Lhasa Tibet Luca Galuzzi 2006 - The detail in the Thanka reflect the artists skill. Tongren-thangka-paint - The Thanka artists tools

• Clothing | The main market has a couple of surprisingly fashionable boutiques, including a clothing store owned by a Tibetan with excellent English. Others sell those exotic looking but impractically long sleeved coats all the Tibetan guys have hanging around their waist.
• Thangkas | The monks at Wutong Monastery have an unequaled reputation for creating the beautifully detailed images of Buddhist deities meticulously painted on stretched fine-weave canvas. These are not some affordable tourist fodder, but works of art by skilled artists. Pigments are hand ground from brightly coloured and inordinately heavy stones sourced from Tibet that the monks say are worth upwards of ¥80 per gram. Likewise, real Gold leaf ground with a resin is used to give the paintings some sparkle. A small, simple painting takes about a month to paint and costs around ¥700, while a 1 meter sized piece can take a year and set you as much as ¥70,000.
  Shops in Tongren and around Wutong Si mainly catering to the tour group busses sell Thangkas of lower quality and price that might be suitable if you are not a Thanka aficionado and just want a nice souvenir. Superior pieces are best bought direct from the artist. Some artist have pre-made Thangka to select from or you can commission a painting of a particular size or theme, though the best artists may have years a years backlog of reservations. Even without any art expertise you should be able to identify which works are genuine art if you take some time to look around, talk to the artists and let your eye be your guide. Generally artists can be contacted via e-mail or phone and can ship your piece anywhere worldwide when it is completed.
• Yurt | There are a few places that either manufacture or sell large black and white yurts. Not very practical for the average backpacker but ideal if you're moving your yaks on to greener pastures.

Halal Restaurants in Tongren (Qinghai)

While the dining options aren't particularly diverse or inspiring and the numerous Halal restaurants offer warmth, large portions and interesting people watching opportunities.

Dried sheep's head is one of the curious delicacies favoured by local residents to nibble with a few drinks. It's mostly bone on the outside, necessitating a probe of the cavities for the tasty bits. Numerous roadside vendors sell them for ¥20 and all will assure you it's delicious.

Yak milk yoghurt is freshly made every morning and sold, usually by young Tibetan girls, along the roadside. The flavour is very rich with a tangy or sometimes citrus bite. A spoon of sugar is an option if you prefer it sweeter. A bowl costs about 2¥.

• Hui restaurant | One of the numerous names written on the doors is right but it is easily identifiable as the most brightly lit place at night. They have huge servings of the usual capsicum laden Hui dishes.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Tongren (Qinghai)

Tongren (Qinghai) - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Tongren (Qinghai), is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Tongren (Qinghai). This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Tongren (Qinghai) and its surrounding regions.

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Halal-Friendly Accommodations inTongren (Qinghai): A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Tongren (Qinghai).

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Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Tongren (Qinghai), ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Tongren (Qinghai), enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Tongren (Qinghai) and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Tongren (Qinghai), stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Tongren (Qinghai), a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Tongren (Qinghai) without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Tongren (Qinghai) is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Tongren (Qinghai).

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Tongren (Qinghai) is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Tongren (Qinghai), please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Tongren (Qinghai) Media: info@ehalal.io

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Muslim Friendly Hotels

There are numerous affordable hotels (Binguan) in the few blocks to the north of the Monastery but many are selective about accepting foreigners. Generally they charge as little as ¥70-60 per bed with basic bathroom facilities and some may have early curfews. Bigger, potentially English signed and speaking, hotels are found along Zhongshan Lu and Dehelong Nan Lu. They provide more comfort for an accordingly higher price.

• Xia Chang | A super-basic place for Muslim travellers who are counting their kuai and don't mind sleeping with families of Tibetan pilgrims. The rooms are sparse, though clean, and have a shared toilet down the hall. Don't bother asking where the shower is because there isn't one.

Mid-range

• Huangnan Hotel - Huangnan Binguan | Usually the first place guidebook toting travellers head when they step off the bus. Some might stay. Others will be compelled by the dirty toilets, worn furnishings and gloomy interior to look elsewhere. If you do relent to its charms you might find the soft beds, thick blankets and sultry heating will make for a comfortable sleep after you turn the lights out.
• School Guesthouse | The accommodation of choice for visiting officials, though you too can sleep in one of the comfortably huge wooden beds in equally spacious and clean rooms. The bathrooms on the other hand are tiny and have only the most utilitarian of washing facilities.
• QH-Tibet Yadu Hotel | The classy Gold wallpaper in the foyer continues into the big warm rooms that have soft beds and clean ensuite bathrooms with hot water showers. The friendly, though somewhat bewildered looking, staff are exceedingly helpful if you fail to get the rooms electrics to work.

• Telecom Hotel - Dianxin Binguan | Comfortable but utterly characterless rooms and spotless bathrooms. In-room internet.

Cope

ATM - The Construction Bank of China on Zhongshan Lu has the only Visa friendly machines in town.

Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Tongren (Qinghai)

• Xiahe – A Tibetan town centred around the huge Labrang Monastery. Buy your ticket via eHalal Travel Group the day before from the Tongren bus station as there's one bus per day leaving at 8AM. (¥25)
• Xining – The lively capital of Qinghai Province close to Kunbun Monastery. There are numerous buses each day.

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