THE-MONLAM-SILK-ROAD

Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA). A group of monks is about to enter the temple for evening prayer.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA).  A group of monks is about to enter the temple for evening prayer.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA). Monks Leaning Thangka on terrace wall and start unrolling it. In the background monastery and sacred stupa in Gontang Bao Ta
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA). Monks Leaning Thangka on terrace wall and start unrolling it. In the background monastery and sacred stupa in Gontang Bao Ta
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA). On the day of the sacred "Qiamuqia" dances, a huge crowd gathers around the main temple of Labrang.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA).  On the day of the sacred  "Qiamuqia" dances, a huge crowd gathers around the main temple of Labrang.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA). The yak butter statues show many typical positions of the Buddha. The pilgrims walk past the sculptures several times, praying and worshipping the Buddhist icons. The display is held at night in order to avoid the statues melting in the sun. During the day the temperature never rises above -15° but the sun's irradiation is strong. At night, on the other hand, the temperature can be as low as -30°.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA).  The yak butter statues show many typical positions of the Buddha. The pilgrims walk past the sculptures several times, praying and worshipping the Buddhist icons. The display is held at night in order to avoid the statues melting in the sun. During the day the temperature never rises above -15° but the sun's irradiation is strong. At night, on the other hand, the temperature can be as low as -30°.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA). There are many prayer wheels inside the temples. Here a nomad is turning one of large dimensions.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA). There are many prayer wheels inside the temples. Here a nomad is turning one of large dimensions.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA).  Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA). In the early hours of the morning, before the celebrations and prayers begin, the monks themselves walk around the monastery walls turning their prayer wheels.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA). Blind nomad waiting for someone to leave her an offer. In exchange she will recite prayers for the donor.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA).  Blind nomad waiting for someone to leave her an offer. In exchange she will recite prayers for the donor.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA). The pilgrims pass from one porch to the next, dressed in their traditional costumes and turning the prayer wheels.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA).  The pilgrims pass from one porch to the next, dressed in their traditional costumes and turning the prayer wheels.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA). Thanks to the growth of the Chinese economy the use of mobile telephones is now very widespread. This young Tibetan woman is wearing the ornaments typical of girls who are not yet married. Nearby her mother recites the rosary.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA). Thanks to the growth of the Chinese economy the use of mobile telephones is now very widespread. This young Tibetan woman is wearing the ornaments typical of girls who are not yet married. Nearby her mother recites the rosary.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA). The master painter of the monastery has his portrait painted in front of a Tangka that he has just blessed, prior to its sale to visitors. He is observed from outside by his pupil.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA).  The master painter of the monastery has his portrait painted in front of a Tangka that he has just blessed, prior to its sale to visitors. He is observed from outside by his pupil.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA). A nomad woman praying through. Ciak.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA).  A nomad woman praying through. Ciak.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA). Temples of the monastery with Lamaist golden bells on the roofs.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA). Temples of the monastery with Lamaist golden bells on the roofs.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA). Once the prayer is over, the Tangka is folded up and returned to the monastery. the pilgrims go back to pray arund the walls of Labrang.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA).  Once the prayer is over, the Tangka is folded up and returned to the monastery. the pilgrims go back to pray arund the walls of Labrang.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA). A pilgrim takes a rest on the upper path of the monastery. In the background the monk's' cells.
Xiahe - Gansu province (CHINA).  A pilgrim takes a rest on the upper path of the monastery. In the background the monk's' cells.
Grassland area on the Quinghai border. A valley with the nomads' and shepherds' homes.
Grassland area on the Quinghai border. A valley with the nomads' and shepherds' homes.
Grassland Area, Quinghai Border. A frozen river.
Grassland Area, Quinghai Border. A frozen river.
Grassland area on the Quinghai border. A young Tibetan shepherd. The Tibetans still practise nomadism and live from sheepfarming.
Grassland area on the Quinghai border. A young Tibetan shepherd. The Tibetans still  practise nomadism and live from sheepfarming.
The Silk Road still connects northern and southern China today. A truck coming from the Taklimakan desert area, on the way to the south of the province of Gansu.
The Silk Road still connects northern and southern China today. A truck coming from the Taklimakan desert area, on the way to the south of the province of Gansu.
A Taoist temple near Lanzhou.
A Taoist temple near Lanzhou.
Lanzhou city centre. Early in the morning a group of women work out in the main city square.
Lanzhou city centre. Early in the morning a group of women work out in the main city square.
The Hexi Corridor through the Qilian Shan mountains between Zhangye and Dunhuang. A truck on its way to the Taklimakan desert drives along a dirt track, just as the trade caravans to and from Europe did as far back as 800 years ago.
The Hexi Corridor through the Qilian Shan mountains between Zhangye and Dunhuang. A truck on its way to the Taklimakan desert drives along a dirt track, just as the trade caravans to and from Europe did as far back as 800 years ago.
Gansu Province. Grassland Area, Quinghai Border. A Tibetan village.
Gansu Province. Grassland Area, Quinghai Border. A Tibetan village.
Grassland area on the Quinghai border. Some Tibetan women collect water from a frozen river.
Grassland area on the Quinghai border. Some Tibetan women collect water from a frozen river.
The Qilian Shan plateau. Despite the altitude and desert climate there are some maize fields, cultivated thanks to wells dug in the 1960's.
The Qilian Shan plateau. Despite the altitude and desert climate there are some maize fields, cultivated thanks to wells dug in the 1960's.
The Qilian Shan plateau. Despite the altitude and desert climate there are some maize fields, cultivated thanks to wells dug in the 1960's. A farmer.
The Qilian Shan plateau. Despite the altitude and desert climate there are some maize fields, cultivated thanks to wells dug in the 1960's. A farmer.
Near the village of Anxi in the Hexi Corridor. A shepherd follows his flock amongst the grassy patches on the edge of the desert.
Near the village of Anxi in the Hexi Corridor. A shepherd follows his flock amongst the grassy patches on the edge of the desert.
Near Dunhuang in the Taklimakan desert, the western offshoot of the Gobi Desert. A caravan of camels crosses the Singing Sand Dunes.
Near Dunhuang in the Taklimakan desert, the western offshoot of the Gobi Desert. A caravan of camels crosses the Singing Sand Dunes.
In the Anxi area wind erosion creates surreal landscapes.
In the Anxi area  wind erosion creates surreal landscapes.
The Mogao caves in Dunhuang . Entrance to cave n°96.
The Mogao caves in Dunhuang . Entrance to cave n°96.
Near Dunhuang in the Taklimakan desert, the western offshoot of the Gobi Desert. The Singing Sand Dunes.
Near Dunhuang in the Taklimakan desert, the western offshoot of the Gobi Desert. The Singing Sand Dunes.