Repkong (Tongren)

Tongren (Tibetan name Repkong) is a monastic town in Eastern Qinghai province. Its most famous monasteries are known for their Buddhist thangka painting (the Upper and Lower Wutun Monasteries) but the biggest monastery is the Rongwo Gonchen Gompa, climbing the hillside of Tongren. The Chinese city built around the old monasteries is of particular ugliness, but the Tibetan quarters save the town, not having succumbed to the hideous white tiles and neon signs. Many smaller monasteries dot the countryside around the city, including the spooky but atmospheric Gomar Gompa, seemingly deserted, but apparently home to a few dozen monks.