Chengdu Travel Guide - on top of the world - pics from Western Sichuan

Chengdu Travel - Sichuan is a gateway to Tibet – with large parts of Western Sichuan lieing up on the Tibetan Plateau. When entering this area, the visitor will be among soaring mountain ranges, Yak grazed grasslands, nomadic herders and Tibetan temples – a land of Eagles and Vultures – oozing unique, never to be forgotten travel experiences.


Rolling grasslands - pasture for the Yak herds. This is a common landscape in these areas.


Here, at high altitude, the air is thin - and the environment takes on a harsh rocky beauty, really living up to its top of the world billing.


Alpine forest clings onto the valleys - while snow peaks dominate the skyline.


A Temple near Tagong - with Yala mountain as the backdrop. This photo was taken on a frosty November morning.


A couple of Yakboys doing some inprovised rodeo - actually this Yak is pretty passive - and these animals can also be used as both transport and pack-animals. One of our Tibetan friends told us he used to ride a Yak to school!!! However one thing you've got to watch out for, if you walk on the grasslands - are those dogs that are set to guard the herd - fierceTibetan Mastiffs. But you'll be alright as long as you dont go walking about at night.
The boy in the red coat is a novice monk - he's also got my binoculars!!!!

A lot of ethnic costume is still worn in these parts - here's a girl we found in the temple town of Dege. Her headress is adorned with turquoise.


A monk blinking in the early morning sun as walks past the temple at Tagong. The sun can be strong at these altitudes - its a good idea to bring a good supply of sun-cream.


Prayer flags dot the valleys and often placed at the higest points of passes and tracks. These are at Litang - and are being blown by a summer squall.


Old ladies outside the temple at Tagong.


A bit of grassland nature - this is a tiny Rabbit called a Pika.


Our first car - an old canvas topped jeep- "blimey its cold up here!!!" Nowadays we drive about with a little more cover - and a little less clothing.