Experience the Wild Spirit of the Khampa People on the Roof of the World
Welcome to the highest town in the world—Litang, perched at an astonishing 4,014 meters above sea level on the sweeping grasslands of the Tibetan Plateau. Every summer, this remote corner of Sichuan Province transforms into a sea of colourful tents, fluttering prayer flags, and thundering hooves as thousands of Khampa Tibetans gather for one of the most spectacular celebrations on the Tibetan Plateau: the Litang Horse Racing Festival.
With a history spanning over 400 years, the Litang Horse Racing Festival evolved from ancient religious circumambulations (kora) honouring sacred mountains and celebrating the harvest when the plateau grasslands burst into bloom. Today, it stands as the largest and most carnival-like horse racing festival across the entire Tibetan region—a week-long extravaganza of equestrian skill, traditional costume, and unbridled joy.
This is the land of the Khampa people, legendary throughout Tibet for their fierce independence, remarkable horsemanship, and unwavering spirit. Here, you’ll witness young riders perform death-defying stunts at full gallop—standing upside down on horseback, hiding beneath their horses’ bellies, and snatching hada scarves from the ground at lightning speed. You’ll see women adorned in heirloom turquoise and coral, their ancestral jewellery weighing more than their elaborate headdresses. And you’ll join locals in dancing, singing, and celebrating long into the night.
This journey begins and ends in Chengdu, the vibrant capital of Sichuan Province, and takes you through the breathtaking landscapes of western Sichuan—from the photogenic meadows of Xinduqiao to the sacred peaks of the Hengduan Mountains. Whether you’re a culture enthusiast, a photography lover, or simply seeking an encounter with one of the world’s most authentic living traditions, the Litang Horse Festival promises an experience you will carry with you forever.
Duration: 8–11 Days (Multiple itinerary options available)
Start/End City: Chengdu, Sichuan Province
Festival Dates: Annually, August 1–7 (officially fixed dates)
Physical Rating: Moderate (High altitude, some walking)
Max Altitude: 4,700m (mountain passes) / 4,014m (Litang town)
Best Season: Late July to Early August (festival period)
Highlights
- Witness the Khampa Horsemen: Experience the thrill of hundreds of horses galloping across the vast Maoya Grassland as Khampa riders display their legendary equestrian skills—picking up hada scarves at full gallop, performing handstands on horseback, and riding beneath their horses' bellies.
- Immerse in a 400-Year-Old Tradition: Join a celebration that began as a religious circumambulation honouring sacred mountains and has evolved into the largest and most vibrant horse racing festival on the Tibetan Plateau.
- Explore Litang Monastery: Visit one of the oldest and largest Gelugpa monasteries in the Kham region, founded in 1580 by the 3rd Dalai Lama and closely associated with the 7th and 10th Dalai Lamas, both born in Litang.
- Photograph the Sea of Tents: Witness the transformation of the grasslands into a temporary city of thousands of traditional Tibetan tents, where nomadic families gather in their finest clothing and most treasured jewellery.
- Discover Daocheng Yading Nature Reserve: Extend your journey to the "Last Shangri-La," where three sacred snow peaks—Chenresig, Jampayang, and Chana Dorje—rise above pristine forests, crystal lakes, and glacier-carved valleys.
- Experience Tagong Grassland & Xinduqiao: Travel through some of western Sichuan's most spectacular scenery, including the vast Tagong Grassland and Xinduqiao, known as the "paradise for photographers".
- Savour Tibetan Culture & Cuisine: Sample traditional foods like tsampa (roasted barley flour), yak butter tea, and Tibetan noodles, and experience the warmth of Khampa hospitality.
