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Labrang monastery, Xiahe.

I decided to go to the monastery at the last minute. I was en route back to Beijing, and took an overnight train to Lanzhou from Jiayuguan in order to catch a flight. I had a few days in the province's capital, and had checked the guidebook to see what one could visit in the area.

Even after I had decided to visit the monastery there was a slight question as to whether I could. The area had been closed to foreigners following the 2008 demonstrations against Chinese rule over Tibet. Only recently had foreigners been allowed back in.

I arrived in Lanzhou before dawn. I walked across the plaza in front of the train station to a hotel where I had made a reservation to find that rooms were unavailable. I was assured that I could check in once people started checking out. I waited.

After half an hour I started to wonder if waiting was the best use of my time. I asked at the travel desk for information on visiting both Xiahe and Bingling Si. The woman told me that if I were planning on visiting Xiahe, I should head to the bus station quickly, as the last morning bus was soon to leave. I thanked her and shouldered my bags. I cancelled my room reservation and told the front desk I'd return in a day or so. Outside, I hailed a cab to take me to the bus station.

The driver was warm and friendly. He asked about where I had come from and then gave me tips on travelling in the area. He was excited I was travelling to the monastery, but admitted he had never been. Arriving at the station, he told me to be careful at the bus station and to buy tickets only from the counter before dropping me before the front door.

The next bus was leaving in half an hour. I asked for a ticket and the counterwoman told me she would need copies of my passport and visa. She told me there was a copy shop across the street, a block east of the station. I raced to make copies and returned with ten minutes to spare. The bus was almost empty. I settled in and prepared for the ride.

Click to see more photographs of the Labrang Monastery in Xiahe.

Comments (2)

nice! i love the atmosphere here ....

Posted by crash on 18 Nov 2009, 8.12 AM

thanks crash!

Posted by eugene on 18 Nov 2009, 9.25 AM

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Posted 29 Oct 2009   |   Photography + design © Eugene Kuo // 226.