Overview
Tongren is a small monastic town on the edge of the Tibetan plateau in the historically Amdo region. The town has a slightly unkempt but not unfriendly Tibetan character, intermingled with a sizable Hui population.
Budget Travel · Day Trips · History · Museums
Before you go
Accommodation
Cheap Binguan north of the monastery charge ¥30-60 per bed but may be selective about foreigners. Hotels on Zhongshan Lu and Dehelong Nan Lu have English signs and cost ¥80-130 for doubles.
Culture
Women are not allowed inside Wutong Monastery during summer (late July to early September). Some hotels have early curfews.
Food
Roadside vendors sell dried sheep's head for ¥20 and yak milk yoghurt for ¥2. Tibetan restaurants near the monastery gate serve MoMo, Jiaozi, and Baozi for ¥8-10.
Money
The Construction Bank of China on Zhongshan Lu has the only Visa-friendly ATMs in town. The one at Bank of China looks too ancient to trust—better to go inside and deal with a human.
Transport
Green taxis between town center and Wutong Monastery cost ¥5 per seat. Longwu Monastery is walkable from the market area.
