Planning a trip to Xia He

Getting There

Plans for an airport have yet to materialize, although a rail line should soon open which will have a station half-an-hour's drive from Xia He. Check with Overseas Tibetan hotel for the latest. Buses (tel. 0941/712-1462) connect with Hezuo (72km/45 miles; 1 1/2 hr.; ¥12) every 30 minutes from 6:10am to 6:10pm; Linxia (107km/66 miles; 2 1/2 hr.; ¥19) every 30 minutes from 6am to 5:30pm; Lanzhou (256km/159 miles; 5 hr.; ¥44) at 6:30am, 7:30am, and 2:30pm; Tongren (107km/66 miles; 4 hr.; ¥21) at 7:30am; and Amchog (72km/45 miles, 2 hr.; ¥19) at 11:30am. The Tongren service connects with a Xining bus.

If there's a group of you, minivans to Langmu Si (5 hr.; ¥700) can be arranged through the Overseas Tibetan Hotel, Tara Guesthouse or at the bus station. Warning: If you're taking the rough but scenic route southeast via Amchog, hire a Tibetan driver and bring cigarettes; banditry, in the form of determined children with large rocks, or nomads on horseback, is common.

Getting Around

Bicycles can be rented from most guesthouses for ¥20 per day. Shared taxis or motorcycle carts should take you anywhere in town for ¥1, but they'll try for more.

Tours & Guides

Losang at the Overseas Tibetan Hotel is the best source of information and trip organizer in town. Tsewong of Tsewong's Cafe was also a good resource for travel information, but at the time of writing his cafe was closed, but it is hoped that as restrictions relax he will be able to re-open.

Fast Facts

Banks -- Forex services are unavailable in Xia He, although there is an ICBC ATM that accepts some international cards.

Internet Access -- Internet access can be found at many of the guesthouses and cafes including the Overseas Tibetan Hotel. The charge is ¥5 per hour.

Post Office -- The post office (8am-6pm) a few hundred meters west of the bus station on the south side of the road.

Visa Extensions -- You used to be able to previously get them done here, but now it's only possible in at the Hezuo PSB office.