Lhasa Northern Suburbs · Wetland Secret Land

Lhünzhub County, Lhasa City — a treasure house of plateau wetlands in the North Tibet, featuring natural and cultural landscapes such as Reting Monastery and Hutoushan Reservoir. This 3-day 2-night itinerary lets you pilgrimage to ancient monasteries, go birdwatching in wetlands, experience farming culture, and feel the perfect fusion of religion and ecology.

Reting Monastery
Kadam Ancestral Monastery
Hutoushan Reservoir
Black-necked Crane Habitat
3800 m
Average Elevation
50,000
Population
Hutoushan Reservoir and black-necked cranes in Lhünzhub County
Hutoushan Reservoir Scenery, Lhünzhub County
Hutoushan Reservoir in Lhünzhub County, a plateau wetland ecosystem, an important winter habitat for black-necked cranes, showcasing the unique charm of the North Tibet grassland

Lhünzhub County Three-Day Nature & Culture Tour

Ancient monastery pilgrimage + wetland birdwatching + farming experience, feel the charm of Lhasa's northern suburbs

Duration
3 Days 2 Nights
Main Destinations
Reting Monastery, Hutoushan Reservoir, Lhünzhub Farm, Dalong Monastery
Suitable For
Nature lovers, birdwatching photographers, culture explorers, eco-tourists
Budget per Person
¥600 - ¥1100
01
Ancient Monastery Exploration
Religion & History
Highlights

Full-day religious culture experience

Attractions
Reting Monastery
The ancestral monastery of the Kadam school of Tibetan Buddhism, founded in 1056. Famous for its thousand-year-old cypress trees and unique religious rituals, it houses a large collection of precious cultural relics and Buddhist scriptures.
Dalong Monastery
An important Nyingma monastery in Lhünzhub County, located in a beautiful canyon. Renowned for its exquisite murals and ancient meditation traditions, with a serene and tranquil environment.
Practical Info
Travel Tips
  • Respect religious customs
  • No photography inside temples
  • Walk clockwise when turning prayer wheels
  • Dress appropriately
Food Recommendations
  • Tibetan Potato Momos
  • Butter Tea
  • Yak Meat Soup
  • Highland Barley Pancake
02
Wetland Birdwatching
Ecology & Nature
Highlights

Full-day nature & ecology experience

Attractions
Hutoushan Reservoir
An important wetland ecosystem in Lhünzhub County. In winter, it becomes a habitat for rare birds such as black-necked cranes and bar-headed geese. The plateau lake and snowy mountains form a magnificent picture.
Kazi Wetland
An important wetland reserve in the Lhasa River valley, with abundant water plants and rich biodiversity. It is an ideal place to observe plateau wetland ecology and bird activity.
Practical Info
Travel Tips
  • Bring binoculars
  • Stay quiet while birdwatching
  • Protect the ecological environment
  • Protect against cold and sun
Special Experiences
  • Black-necked crane observation
  • Wetland hiking
  • Plateau ecology photography
  • Stargazing
03
Farming Experience
Tradition & Life
Highlights

Full-day farming culture experience

Attractions
Lhünzhub Farm
An important agricultural base in Tibet, showcasing the integration of modern plateau agriculture and traditional farming culture. Visitors can experience farming activities such as highland barley planting and harvesting.
Bianjiaolin Tibetan Village
A traditional Tibetan village with well-preserved Tibetan-style houses and farming traditions. Visitors can experience traditional handicraft processes such as butter churning and pulu (Tibetan wool) weaving.
Practical Info
Travel Tips
  • Respect farmers' lives
  • Participate in hands-on activities
  • Purchase agricultural products
  • Learn simple farming tasks
Special Experiences
  • Highland barley harvesting experience
  • Traditional butter churning
  • Pulu weaving lesson
  • Taste farmhouse meal

Must-Try Foods in Lhünzhub County

Lhünzhub Potato

A specialty of Lhünzhub County, grown on the plateau. Due to the unique climate and soil conditions, the potatoes are soft, starchy and sweet. They can be made into potato momos, potato pancakes and other special dishes.

Yak Yogurt

A traditional Tibetan dairy product, naturally fermented from highland yak milk. A golden cream layer forms on top, giving a rich, tangy flavor and high nutritional value.

Highland Barley Tsampa

A traditional Tibetan staple food. Roasted highland barley is ground into flour and mixed with butter tea to form dough balls. Easy to carry and provides the necessary energy for the plateau.

Lhünzhub County Travel Tips
Best Season
  • Nov-Mar: Best birdwatching season, black-necked crane wintering period
  • Jul-Sep: Greenest grassland season, prime farming experience period
  • May: Spring plowing at Lhünzhub Farm, vibrant with life
Suggested Itinerary
  • Day 1: Visit Reting Monastery and Dalong Monastery
  • Day 2: Birdwatching at Hutoushan Reservoir and Kazi Wetland
  • Day 3: Farming experience at Lhünzhub Farm and Bianjiaolin Village
  • Taste Lhünzhub potatoes and yak yogurt
Practical Info
  • Keep distance while birdwatching, do not disturb
  • Follow farm arrangements for experiences
  • Respect local folk customs
  • Be aware of plateau temperature changes
Transportation Guide
  • About 65 km from downtown Lhasa, 1.5-hour drive
  • Take the Lhasa-Lhünzhub shuttle bus
  • Hiring a car is more convenient
  • Some sections are gravel roads, please be cautious

Explore Districts & Counties of Lhasa City