After
breakfast, we will embark on a journey of about 28 kilometers (40
minutes by car) to the famous Kumbum Monastery, which is a holy place
carrying the deep cultural heritage of Tibetan Buddhism and is known as
one of the "Six Great Monasteries of Gelugpa". The temple is not only
sacred as the birthplace of Guru Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa
school of Tibetan Buddhism, but its architecture is a breathtaking blend
of traditional Tibetan and Chinese art, with colorful and intricate
decorations.
Step into this huge temple complex, you will be
immersed in a feast for the eyes and the soul. The solemnity of the
Eight Treasures Ruyi Pagoda, the splendor of the Great Golden Tile Hall,
and the chanting of the lamas in the Great Hall of Sutra all highlight
the profoundness of Buddhist culture. The unique "three greats" of Tal
Temple - ghee flowers, murals and embroidery, is the perfect blend of
art, aesthetics and religious beliefs, waiting for you to savor and
appreciate.
Afterwards, driving about 37 kilometers (about 50
minutes drive), we will arrive at the Tibetan Medicine Culture Museum,
which is a door to the ancient and mysterious world of Tibetan medicine.
The museum displays rich historical relics, from ancient surgical
instruments to precious medical texts to unique astronomical and
calendar calculation tools, each exhibit tells the long history of
Tibetan medical culture. Particularly worth mentioning is the
618-meter-long gallery, certified by Guinness World Records, and more
than 30,000 kinds of pile-embroidery patterns, which give people a deep
sense of the diversity and richness of Tibetan culture while marveling
at them.
After lunch, we will go to Dongguan Mosque, the largest
mosque in Qinghai, which is a piece of pure land in the hearts of Muslim
believers and one of the important Islamic cultural centers in
northwest China. This mosque, built in the Ming Dynasty, covers an area
of 13,602 square meters, and its architectural style reflects the flavor
of traditional Chinese architecture, but also cleverly integrates
Islamic elements, and the light lotus green exterior adds a bit of
freshness and elegance to it. Here, you can not only appreciate the
unique charm of Islamic architecture, but also have the opportunity to
witness the pious worship of Muslim believers and feel the power of
faith across time and space.
As the sun sets, our journey will
come to an end. Accompanied by your guide, you will arrive at the
airport or train station ready to depart for your next destination. May
this journey full of cultural flavor and religious feelings become an
unforgettable memory in your heart.