Tongren, China
Region: Tongren, China is located in Guizhou province
Geographic Coordinates: 27.723300, 109.188000
Temperature Range: -40.0°C to 40.0°C (-40°F to 104°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 3168800
Language: Mandarin
Tongren is a charming city situated in the eastern part of Qinghai province, China. It has a population of around 400, 000 people and sits at an altitude of 2, 200 meters above sea level. The city is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. One of the top attractions in Tongren is the Wutun Monastery, Which was constructed in the 13th century. It boasts impressive architecture and artwork, Including prayer halls, Living quarters for monks, And a library containing ancient scriptures. The Longwu Temple is another popular destination that was built during the Ming Dynasty.
Visitors can marvel at intricate carvings, Colorful murals, And lovely gardens while taking in panoramic views from its hilltop location. Tongren has been home to many ethnic minority groups such as Tibetan, Hui (Muslim), Mongolian Salar Tu Han Chinese who have lived together peacefully for centuries. These communities showcase their unique traditions through their distinct clothing styles music performances as well as food cultures.
Food enthusiasts will be pleased to find niangpi- cold noodles served with spicy sauce made from chili oil mixed with garlic paste or vinegar along with vegetables like cucumber or bean sprouts on top – among other culinary delights when visiting Tongren. The area surrounding Tongren boasts breathtaking natural scenery too! The Qilian Mountains are located just northwest of the city which offers visitors an opportunity to go hiking or trekking through these mountains that stretch over 800 km long!
Overall, Tongren offers visitors a perfect blend between cultural experiences & scenic beauty all wrapped up into one amazing destination waiting to be explored by travelers from all over!
- Wanshou Palace (Palace of Longevity)
- Guizhou Ethnic Museum
- Dongshan Temple
- Fenghuang Mountain Scenic Area
- Jiangkou Ancient Town
- Huangdu Dong National Park
- Yuhuang Pavilion (Jade Emperor Pavilion)
- Tongren Confucian Temple
- Yinxiu Cave Scenic Area
- Tongren Miao Village
- Agriculture
- Forestry
- Mining
- Tourism
- Traditional Chinese medicine
The primary industries and businesses in Tongren, China include:
- Tea production
- Tobacco production
- Medicinal herb production
- Coal mining
- Tourism due to natural beauty and cultural heritage sites such as Huangguoshu Waterfall and Fanjing Mountain
- Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners who offer healthcare services to both residents and visitors
- The birthplace of Tibetan monk and scholar Tsongkhapa.
- Tongren was a major center for the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
- The town played an important role in the trade route between Tibet and China.
- Mao Zedong led his Red Army through Tongren during the Long March in 1935.
- The region is known for its traditional art forms such as thangka painting, woodblock printing, and paper cutting.
- American pilots flying over the region during World War II nicknamed it Happy Valley due to its picturesque landscape.
- In 2017, a massive fire destroyed much of Tongren’s ancient Old Town area including many historic buildings and artifacts.
- Notable people from Tongren include painter Zhang Daqian and musician Yang Liping who is known for her traditional dance performances.
- Longwu Temple
- Wutun Monastery
- Tongren Museum of Art and History
- Guizhou Provincial Museum of Ethnic Minority Culture
- Huanguoshu Waterfall Scenic Area
- Fanjing Mountain National Nature Reserve
- Zhangjiang Scenic Area
- Zhongshan Park
- Tongren Confucian Temple
- Tongguan Ancient Town
- The Tongren International Folk Song Festival is an annual event in August that showcases folk singers and musicians from all over the world.
- The Kumbum Monastery Butter Lamp Festival is a celebration of Tibetan New Year that takes place on the 15th day of the first lunar month, featuring vibrant lanterns and butter lamps.
- The Guoluo Horse Racing Festival, held in July or August, is a traditional Tibetan festival with horse racing, archery competitions, and cultural performances.
- The Tongren Longwu Temple Fair happens every year on the 16th day of the first lunar month and features dragon dances, acrobatic performances, and local food vendors.
- The Qinghai Lake Cycling Race is an international cycling competition that starts in Tongren before circling around Qinghai Lake and finishing back in Tongren.
- The Huangnan Mountain Climbing Competition challenges climbers to scale steep cliffs for prizes during its annual event held in September or October.
- The Taktser Horse Racing Festival celebrates local culture with horse races, singing competitions, and dancing performances just outside of Tongren town every year on July 13th according to the Tibetan calendar.
- The Sengge Zangbo Cultural Tourism Festival highlights local history through exhibitions showcasing traditional clothing styles as well as music events featuring traditional instruments such as drums or flutes.
- Guizhou spicy hotpot
- Sour fish soup
- Rice noodles with beef or pork
- Fried rice with pickled vegetables and meat
- Laotongren Hotpot (老铜仁火锅)
- Hongyunlou Restaurant (红云楼餐厅)
- Guizhou Shangshui Restaurant (贵州上水餐厅)
- Xiangyang Renjia Restaurant (向阳人家餐厅)
- Fenghuangshan National Forest Park – hiking, camping, and picnicking
- Tang’an Scenic Area – hiking and sightseeing
- Guizhou Tongren Malinghe Grand Canyon Scenic Area – hiking and rafting
- Daxiao Dongtian Scenic Area – sightseeing and photography
- Tongren City Park – walking, jogging, and picnicking
- Huaiyuan Ancient Town Scenic Area – historical and cultural sightseeing
- Wanshou Mountain National Forest Park- hiking and camping
- Yunfeng Mountain Scenic Spot- scenic views and hiking trails
Some popular restaurants in Tongren, China include:
