2026 Rebkong Shaman Festival

Shaman festival (ཀླུ་རོལ་) / From 14th -23rd/2026

The Rebkong Shaman Festival in 2025 is a traditional Tibetan cultural celebration held annually in Rebkong (also known as Tongren) in Amdo, Tibet. Scheduled from July 14th to July 23rd, it coincides with the sixth lunar month of the Tibetan calendar, which falls during the summer.

This festival has a history spanning approximately 400 to 500 years and is characterized by vibrant folk entertainment and spiritual rituals. It is a lively event where local villagers participate actively, showcasing their devotion to the Mountain God and seeking blessings for protection and a good harvest.

During the festival, villagers engage in various activities: women dance, men beat drums, boys perform traditional dramas, and girls display their regional traditional dresses. The celebration is marked by colorful attire and festive atmosphere.

A central element of the festival involves inviting the local mountain god to partake in the ceremonies, with shamans acting as mediums. Rituals typically include offerings to local gods, climbing to mountain peaks above villages, performing ritual dances, lighting natural incense made from juniper, and throwing lungta (colorful paper “wind horses” symbolizing good luck and vitality) into the air. Participants chant mantras and prayers, creating a spiritual and joyful environment that embodies the rich cultural heritage of the Tibetan people in Rebkong.

This is a detailed itinerary for a 6-day cultural and religious tour in Qinghai Province,  focused on the annual Shaman Festival in the Tongren (Repkong) area, followed by visits to significant Tibetan villages.

Tour Summary

  • Destination: Qinghai Province, (Xining, Tongren/Repkong, Labrang Monastery).

  • Theme: Shaman Festival rituals & Tibetan Buddhist culture.

  • Key Activities: Witnessing intense shamanic rituals (dances, body piercing) and visiting ancient monasteries.

  • Travel Style: Guided tour with pre-arranged transport and hotels.

Daily Itinerary

DAY 1 – 02.08.2026: Arrival & Festival Introduction

  • Route: Xining → (via Jianzha Lhoduoje Drak) → Rebkong.

  • Activity: Attend the Shaman Festival at Maba Village. See the Military Dance and offering (piercing steel needles through the cheeks/mouth).

  • Travel: 172 km, ~2 hours 42 min.

  • Accommodation: Shengyu Tianlun Hotel, Tongren.

DAY 2 – 03.08.2026: Deep Dive into the Festival

  • Route: Tongren ↔ Maba and Jangkya Villages.

  • Activity: Full day at the Shaman Festival in Maba Village. Further observation of the Military Dance and rituals.

  • Accommodation: Shengyu Tianlun Hotel, Tongren.

DAY 3 – 04.08.2026: Dragon Dance & Rituals

  • Route: Tongren ↔ Langjia Village.

  • Activity: Experience the Shaman Festival in Langjia Village. See the Dragon Dance and the Kaishan ritual (“to cut an opening”) performed by a shaman.

  • Travel: 42 km, ~1 hour.

  • Accommodation: Shengyu Tianlun Hotel, Tongren.

DAY 4 – 05.08.2026: Multiple Ritual Practices

  • Route: Tongren ↔ Gazedong Village.

  • Activity: Full day at the Shaman Festival in Gazedong Village. Witness ritual dancing, inserting a bundle of needles into the back, and offering mountain gods.

  • Travel: 70 km, ~1 hour 33 min.

  • Accommodation: Shengyu Tianlun Hotel, Tongren.

DAY 5 – 06.08.2026: Tibetan Buddhist Art & Monasteries

  • Route: Tongren → Labrang Monastery (Xiahe).

  • Activities:

    1. Visit Rongwu Monastery (Gelukpa school).

    2. See Shane Chong village, the center of Tibetan Repkong Art (thangka painting).

    3. Drive to Labrang and visit the renowned Labrang Monastery, one of Tibetan Buddhism’s six great monasteries (founded 1710).

  • Travel: 104 km, ~2 hours 7 min.

  • Accommodation: Labrang Sample Hotel

DAY 6 – 07.08.2026: Return to Xining

  • Route: Labrang Monastery – Gangya Grassland → Xining.

  • Activity: Morning drive back to Xining. Tour services conclude upon arrival.

  • Travel: 237 km, ~3 hours 46 min.