The way from Chengdu to Larung Gar

1. Not my direct experience to Larung Gar, Garze, Sichuan. Only based on my relevant experience to Aba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture; in theory, foreigners are allowed to enter the Sichuan autonomous prefectures without special permit (if you are referring to tong-xing-zheng). However, as most of us know, things can change very fast in China.

2.
My latest searched information for visiting Larung is: the nearest airport to Sertar is Kangding Airport (KGT); need to hire a taxi or minibus for the driving to Larung; there will be many uncertainties: such as waiting time to fill up the minibus, traffics, weather (high altitude), etc which may make your arrival in Larung to be the next day. You would be better off taking a direct bus from Chengdu to Sertar. I have read that in the summer, the bus departs in the morning (0600) and would reach Sertar in the evening (2000).

I will fly from Lhasa to Chengdu in Oct 25, and fly to Hanoi in Oct 28. I will be free from 25 to 27. I think it is not enough time to go Larung Gar by bus. Is there any way to have one day in Larung Gar during this time period?
Thank you for your information.

Thank you so much

There is no airport in this area which would make a trip shorter than going only by bus. Via Kangding would make the trip longer than necessary. The quickest route is from Chengdu via Ma'erkang to Sertar and from there 10 km to Larung Gar. I suppose, that the above mentioned one-day-trip by bus is via this route, but this would be a tough ride. I visited Larung Gar in September and it was OK. But I had a tibetan minibusdriver with me who also knew some people there, so nobody stopped me. He joked with some people around there who definitely were everything but not monks or or seekers for enlightment.

“…joked with some people around there who definitely were everything but not monks..”
good…should we expect the monks in China not to joke? ;-(

Anything goes in China….once I saw a young monk and woman sitting and laughing in the hills definitely seemed like BFGF. I don’t think they would even need to join Ashley Madison? ;-)

I know what you mean, I have seen this especially in Yarchen Gar: many young children, obviously the result of relationships between nuns and monks. In fact, most of this people you cannot call monks or nuns but scholars. They don't get anything from the monastery and have to care for their living by themselves. They come to Larung Gar or Yarchen Gar because of the famous and respected teachers there.
But before I meant those people, who have the power to order a foreigner that he has to leave this place immediatly, thats why I called them non-monks or non-seekers of enlightment.