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Brian McMorrow | profile | all galleries >> Asia >> China - 中国 >> Tibet - 西藏 (བོད་) >> Tingri to Zhangmu tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Tingri to Zhangmu

Looking back for a last view of Cho Oyu (8153m)
Looking back for a last view of Cho Oyu (8153m)
Paving the Friendship Highway west of Old Tingri headed to Nepal
Paving the Friendship Highway west of Old Tingri headed to Nepal
The roadside from Tingri to Nepal is littered with the ruins of old mudbrick buildings
The roadside from Tingri to Nepal is littered with the ruins of old mudbrick buildings
Ruins of a mudbrick fort melting back into the landscape
Ruins of a mudbrick fort melting back into the landscape
Road construction, Friendship Highway
Road construction, Friendship Highway
Cyclists passing km 5219 on the Friendship Highway - 167 km to go to the Nepal border
Cyclists passing km 5219 on the Friendship Highway - 167 km to go to the Nepal border
Ruins which may date to the 1791 invasion of Tibet by Nepal
Ruins which may date to the 1791 invasion of Tibet by Nepal
Construction of a small bridge along the Friendship Highway
Construction of a small bridge along the Friendship Highway
Small bridge under construction, Friendship Highway
Small bridge under construction, Friendship Highway
Tibetan working on the road crew
Tibetan working on the road crew
More ruins off the Friendship Highway near Gutso
More ruins off the Friendship Highway near Gutso
More ruins off the Friendship Highway near Gutso
More ruins off the Friendship Highway near Gutso
Tibetan village Gutsuo
Tibetan village Gutsuo
Tibetan village Gutso
Tibetan village Gutso
Village painted with the Sakyapa colors
Village painted with the Sakyapa colors
Kids in Gutso
Kids in Gutso
Looking back along the Friendship Highway with the High Himalaya from Everest to Cho Oyu
Looking back along the Friendship Highway with the High Himalaya from Everest to Cho Oyu
Tibetan farmer plowing a brown field with a pair of yaks
Tibetan farmer plowing a brown field with a pair of yaks
Men Chu River, Tibet
Men Chu River, Tibet
Soon the entire Friendship Highway will be paved all the way to the Nepal border
Soon the entire Friendship Highway will be paved all the way to the Nepal border
Gateway across the Friendship Highway
Gateway across the Friendship Highway
More ruins in the distance
More ruins in the distance
Ruins along the friendship Highway
Ruins along the friendship Highway
Tibetan nomad tents along the river across from the ruins
Tibetan nomad tents along the river across from the ruins
Passing through another Tibetan village along the Friendship Highway
Passing through another Tibetan village along the Friendship Highway
Another group of cyclists bound for Nepal
Another group of cyclists bound for Nepal
Roadside ruins
Roadside ruins
Soon, these ruins will entirely melt away
Soon, these ruins will entirely melt away
Men Chu River valley along the Friendship Highway
Men Chu River valley along the Friendship Highway
Tibetan man walking his yaks
Tibetan man walking his yaks
Whitewashed Tibetan house along the Friendship Highway
Whitewashed Tibetan house along the Friendship Highway
The camp of a Chinese road crew along the Friendship Highway
The camp of a Chinese road crew along the Friendship Highway
Road construction on the Friendship Highway
Road construction on the Friendship Highway
Roadside village, Tibet
Roadside village, Tibet
Camp set up for the cyclists we passed
Camp set up for the cyclists we passed
Sign for Mt Shishapangma (Mt. Xixiabangma) and the road through the Kyirong Valley, 5263
Sign for Mt Shishapangma (Mt. Xixiabangma) and the road through the Kyirong Valley, 5263
Road leading west through the Kyirong Valley and Mt. Xixiabangma base camp
Road leading west through the Kyirong Valley and Mt. Xixiabangma base camp
Not Mt. Xixiabangma but rather Gang Benchen (7299m) in the Langtang Himal  at N28.555/E85.543
Not Mt. Xixiabangma but rather Gang Benchen (7299m) in the Langtang Himal at N28.555/E85.543
Looking back down to the base of La Lung-la Pass and the junction for Kyirong Valley
Looking back down to the base of La Lung-la Pass and the junction for Kyirong Valley
Road crew working on the Friendship Highway as it climbs the La Lung-la Pass
Road crew working on the Friendship Highway as it climbs the La Lung-la Pass
Mt. Shishapangma ( Xixiabangma) 8013m / 26,289ft
Mt. Shishapangma ( Xixiabangma) 8013m / 26,289ft
Sheep grazing at 5000m with the Lapche Kang massif
Sheep grazing at 5000m with the Lapche Kang massif
Mt. Shishapangma (8013m / 26,289ft)
Mt. Shishapangma (8013m / 26,289ft)
Friendship Highway with Lapche Kang massif
Friendship Highway with Lapche Kang massif
La Lung-la Pass (5124m / 16,811 ft)
La Lung-la Pass (5124m / 16,811 ft)
La Long-la Pass (N28.614/E86.136) km 5276
La Long-la Pass (N28.614/E86.136) km 5276
Lapche Kang I (7367m) (Labuche Kanga I), Rolwaling Himal
Lapche Kang I (7367m) (Labuche Kanga I), Rolwaling Himal
Friendship Highway descending La Long-la Pass in front of the Lapche Kang massif
Friendship Highway descending La Long-la Pass in front of the Lapche Kang massif
Road equipment  on an unpaved section of the Friendship Highway
Road equipment on an unpaved section of the Friendship Highway
Gate over the Friendship Highway near La Long-la Pass
Gate over the Friendship Highway near La Long-la Pass
Friendship Highway, La Lung-la Pass
Friendship Highway, La Lung-la Pass
Friendship Highway in front of the Lapche Kang massif
Friendship Highway in front of the Lapche Kang massif
The small valley between the La Lung-la and Tong-la passes
The small valley between the La Lung-la and Tong-la passes
Friendship Highway climbing towards Tong-la Pass in front with Lapche Kang (7367m / 24,156 ft) on the left
Friendship Highway climbing towards Tong-la Pass in front with Lapche Kang (7367m / 24,156 ft) on the left
Land Cruiser fording a small stream at km 5282
Land Cruiser fording a small stream at km 5282
A new bridge underconstruction as part of improvements to the Friendship Highway (N28.581/E86.149)
A new bridge underconstruction as part of improvements to the Friendship Highway (N28.581/E86.149)
Mt. Shishapangma (8013m / 26,289ft)
Mt. Shishapangma (8013m / 26,289ft)
Friendship Highway headed for the Lapche Kang massif  with Lapche Kang (7367m) on the left
Friendship Highway headed for the Lapche Kang massif with Lapche Kang (7367m) on the left
Mt. Shishapangma and the nearby peaks Nyanang ri, Phola Gangchen,
Mt. Shishapangma and the nearby peaks Nyanang ri, Phola Gangchen,
Attention! Do not shortcut and destroy rangelan. Insist your driver follow the road. Nomads and wildlife depend on grassland...
Attention! Do not shortcut and destroy rangelan. Insist your driver follow the road. Nomads and wildlife depend on grassland...
Tong-la Pass (5120m / 16,797 ft) km 5289
Tong-la Pass (5120m / 16,797 ft) km 5289
Shrines of Tong-la Pass with Mt. Shishapangma (8013m
Shrines of Tong-la Pass with Mt. Shishapangma (8013m
Lapche Kang massif with prayer flags on windy Tong-la Pass
Lapche Kang massif with prayer flags on windy Tong-la Pass
Lapche Kang massif  south of Tong-la Pass (N28.309/E86.241)
Lapche Kang massif south of Tong-la Pass (N28.309/E86.241)
Lapche Kang massif  south of Tong-la Pass (N28.304/E86.320)
Lapche Kang massif south of Tong-la Pass (N28.304/E86.320)
Lapche Kang massif  south of Tong-la Pass (N28.309/E86.241)
Lapche Kang massif south of Tong-la Pass (N28.309/E86.241)
Tong-la Pass (N28.510/E86.156) with Mt. Shishapangma (8013m
Tong-la Pass (N28.510/E86.156) with Mt. Shishapangma (8013m
Wind-powered prayer wheels, Tong-la Pass (5120m)
Wind-powered prayer wheels, Tong-la Pass (5120m)
Shrines at Tong-la Pass (5120m)
Shrines at Tong-la Pass (5120m)
Descent from Tong-la Pass at 5120m (16,797ft) to the Zhangmu at 2350m (7710 ft) in 89km of road
Descent from Tong-la Pass at 5120m (16,797ft) to the Zhangmu at 2350m (7710 ft) in 89km of road
View of the Lapche Kang massif  from Tong-la Pass looking south
View of the Lapche Kang massif from Tong-la Pass looking south
Falcon of some type soaring in front of Mt.Shishapangma (8013m)
Falcon of some type soaring in front of Mt.Shishapangma (8013m)
Off-road down the Tong-la Pass with Mt. Shishapangma (8013m / 26,289ft) 40 km away
Off-road down the Tong-la Pass with Mt. Shishapangma (8013m / 26,289ft) 40 km away
A sign told drivers to stick to the main road but of course my driver ignored this
A sign told drivers to stick to the main road but of course my driver ignored this
Friendship Highway is all downhill now headed for Nepal
Friendship Highway is all downhill now headed for Nepal
Descending the Tong-la Pass offroad
Descending the Tong-la Pass offroad
Village at the base of the Lalung-la Pass, Tibet
Village at the base of the Lalung-la Pass, Tibet
Ruins of a fortress (N28.401/E86.108)
Ruins of a fortress (N28.401/E86.108)
Phola Gangchen (7716m / 25,314ft) from the east
Phola Gangchen (7716m / 25,314ft) from the east
Friendship highway at N28.363/E86.086  with the summit of Phola Gangchen blocking the view of Shishapangma
Friendship highway at N28.363/E86.086 with the summit of Phola Gangchen blocking the view of Shishapangma
Village of Ru Jia Cun (N28.363/E86.070) elevation 13,960 ft
Village of Ru Jia Cun (N28.363/E86.070) elevation 13,960 ft
Gravel quarry along the Matsang Tsangpo river (N28.334/E86.047)
Gravel quarry along the Matsang Tsangpo river (N28.334/E86.047)
Clouds forming along the Tibet-Nepal border from the warm humid air of the Indian Subcontinent
Clouds forming along the Tibet-Nepal border from the warm humid air of the Indian Subcontinent
Quarry in the Tibetan farmer plowing a field along the Matsang Tsangpo river
Quarry in the Tibetan farmer plowing a field along the Matsang Tsangpo river
Yak with plow on break
Yak with plow on break
Himalaya along the Friendship Highway
Himalaya along the Friendship Highway
Tibetan farmer plowing a field along the Matsang Tsangpo river with a pair of yaks
Tibetan farmer plowing a field along the Matsang Tsangpo river with a pair of yaks
Tibetan farmer plowing a field along the Matsang Tsangpo river with a pair of yaks
Tibetan farmer plowing a field along the Matsang Tsangpo river with a pair of yaks
Double yak plow, Tibet
Double yak plow, Tibet
Bridge across the Matsang Tsangpo river on the Friendship Highway (N28.3007/E86.0313)
Bridge across the Matsang Tsangpo river on the Friendship Highway (N28.3007/E86.0313)
Blue sky with snowy peaks to the west of the Friendship Highway
Blue sky with snowy peaks to the west of the Friendship Highway
Matsang Tsangpo river valley descending towards Nyalam and Nepal (N28.254/E86.015)
Matsang Tsangpo river valley descending towards Nyalam and Nepal (N28.254/E86.015)
Clouds forming along the Tibet-Nepal border from the warm humid air of the Indian Subcontinent
Clouds forming along the Tibet-Nepal border from the warm humid air of the Indian Subcontinent
Tangdong (Za Xigang) Village, Tibet (N28.251/E86.024)
Tangdong (Za Xigang) Village, Tibet (N28.251/E86.024)
Zig zag road cut into the mountain south of Tangdong (Za Xigang) Village
Zig zag road cut into the mountain south of Tangdong (Za Xigang) Village
Snowy peak southeast of Tangdong (Za Xigang) Village
Snowy peak southeast of Tangdong (Za Xigang) Village
Village at Milarepa's Cave, 10 km north of Nyalam
Village at Milarepa's Cave, 10 km north of Nyalam
We stopped here for a short walk down the slope to Milarepa's Cave
We stopped here for a short walk down the slope to Milarepa's Cave
Village kids tagged along
Village kids tagged along
Village at Milarepa's Cave
Village at Milarepa's Cave
Path to Milarepa's Cave and Nyalam Pelgye Ling temple
Path to Milarepa's Cave and Nyalam Pelgye Ling temple
Along the path to Milarepa's Cave
Along the path to Milarepa's Cave
Milarepa's Cave and Nyalam Pelgye Ling temple
Milarepa's Cave and Nyalam Pelgye Ling temple
The monks were on holiday so we could just peek in through the window
The monks were on holiday so we could just peek in through the window
Matsang Tsangpo river valley looking north
Matsang Tsangpo river valley looking north
Buddhist shrine near Milarepa's Cave
Buddhist shrine near Milarepa's Cave
Villagers at Milarepa's Cave processing the harvest
Villagers at Milarepa's Cave processing the harvest
Tractor in the village of Milarepa's Cave
Tractor in the village of Milarepa's Cave
Nyalam, a large town at  3,750 metres (12,300ft) on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau
Nyalam, a large town at 3,750 metres (12,300ft) on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau
Nyalam, Tibet, 35km from the Nepali border
Nyalam, Tibet, 35km from the Nepali border
Nga-dhon Hotel, Nyalam
Nga-dhon Hotel, Nyalam
Friendship Highway passing through Nyalam, Tibet
Friendship Highway passing through Nyalam, Tibet
The final descent to Nepal 35km of treacherous road
The final descent to Nepal 35km of treacherous road
As the road descends, the vegetation changes and becomes significantly greener
As the road descends, the vegetation changes and becomes significantly greener
Friendship Highway from Nyalam to Zhangmu
Friendship Highway from Nyalam to Zhangmu
Parts of the Friendship Highway the Nepal border have been paved easing what had been a very adventerous road
Parts of the Friendship Highway the Nepal border have been paved easing what had been a very adventerous road
Friendship Highway to Nepal
Friendship Highway to Nepal
From Nyalam to Zhangmu, the Friendship Highway descends 1450m (4757ft)
From Nyalam to Zhangmu, the Friendship Highway descends 1450m (4757ft)
Freshly paved portion of the Friendship Highway north of Zhangmu
Freshly paved portion of the Friendship Highway north of Zhangmu
Friendship Highway descending with the Matsang Tsangpo river
Friendship Highway descending with the Matsang Tsangpo river
Matsang Tsangpo River, Nepal's Sun Kosi River
Matsang Tsangpo River, Nepal's Sun Kosi River
Chinese construction crew working on the Friendship Highway
Chinese construction crew working on the Friendship Highway
Road crew blocking most of the road with their dump truck
Road crew blocking most of the road with their dump truck
Right on the edge...I'll walk this part, thanks
Right on the edge...I'll walk this part, thanks
Guiding the driver along the edge
Guiding the driver along the edge
Fresh rock slide partially blocking the newly paved road
Fresh rock slide partially blocking the newly paved road
Into the clouds
Into the clouds
A sharp snow covered peak in front of clouds formed by the warm humid air of the Indian subcontinent
A sharp snow covered peak in front of clouds formed by the warm humid air of the Indian subcontinent
This road first opened in May 1967 linking Tibet and Nepal
This road first opened in May 1967 linking Tibet and Nepal
A new bridge on the Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway (N28.079/E86.000)
A new bridge on the Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway (N28.079/E86.000)
Clouds giving the valley an eerie look
Clouds giving the valley an eerie look
Waterfalls
Waterfalls
The Matsang Tsangpo River far below
The Matsang Tsangpo River far below
Matsang Tsangpo River valley leading to Nepal
Matsang Tsangpo River valley leading to Nepal
This must be impressive in the rainy season
This must be impressive in the rainy season
Unpaved section of the narrow Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway leading to Zhangmu
Unpaved section of the narrow Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway leading to Zhangmu
Matsang Tsangpo River valley
Matsang Tsangpo River valley
The road far below (N28.038/E85.986)
The road far below (N28.038/E85.986)
Hairpin curve on the Friendship Highway
Hairpin curve on the Friendship Highway
Unimproved stretch of the Friendship Highway
Unimproved stretch of the Friendship Highway
Waterfall along the Friendship Highway
Waterfall along the Friendship Highway
Friendship Highway cut out of the mountain in the 1960s
Friendship Highway cut out of the mountain in the 1960s
Descending towards Zhangmu and the Nepal border
Descending towards Zhangmu and the Nepal border
Waterfalls feeding the Matsang Tsangpo River
Waterfalls feeding the Matsang Tsangpo River
Matsang Tsangpo River
Matsang Tsangpo River
Original 1960s portion of the Friendship Highway outside Zhangmu
Original 1960s portion of the Friendship Highway outside Zhangmu
The Friendship Highway passing under a waterfall
The Friendship Highway passing under a waterfall
Welcome to Zhangmu, China Post
Welcome to Zhangmu, China Post
Narrow street of Zhangmu
Narrow street of Zhangmu
Trucks from Nepal clog up Zhangmu's narrow main street
Trucks from Nepal clog up Zhangmu's narrow main street
The Nepali trucks aren't allowed further into Tibet
The Nepali trucks aren't allowed further into Tibet
Zhangmu clings to the side of a mountain
Zhangmu clings to the side of a mountain
Trucks making the road through Zhangmu nearly impassable
Trucks making the road through Zhangmu nearly impassable
Zhangmu. Tibet's border town
Zhangmu. Tibet's border town
Zhangmu, Tibet
Zhangmu, Tibet
Zhangmu, Tibet
Zhangmu, Tibet
Zhangmu clinging to the side of the mountain high above the river valley
Zhangmu clinging to the side of the mountain high above the river valley
Zhangmu, Tibet elevation 2300m (7545 ft)
Zhangmu, Tibet elevation 2300m (7545 ft)
Zhangmu, Tibet
Zhangmu, Tibet
Zhang Mu Hotel, the last night in Tibet
Zhang Mu Hotel, the last night in Tibet
Base Camp western food and coffee bar
Base Camp western food and coffee bar
Zhangmu is 10 km from the Friendship Bridge, the border wtih Nepal
Zhangmu is 10 km from the Friendship Bridge, the border wtih Nepal
In front of the Zhangmu Hotel
In front of the Zhangmu Hotel
Trucks lined up along the Friendship Highway
Trucks lined up along the Friendship Highway
Leaving Zhangmu in the morning for Tibet
Leaving Zhangmu in the morning for Tibet
Zhangmu, like all of China, is on Beijing time so there's a 2hr 15 min time change at the border
Zhangmu, like all of China, is on Beijing time so there's a 2hr 15 min time change at the border
Waterfall in a narrow slot canyon outside Zhangmu
Waterfall in a narrow slot canyon outside Zhangmu
Driving the last few km to the Nepal border
Driving the last few km to the Nepal border
The green around Zhangmu is a stark contrast to the brown of the Tibetan Plateau
The green around Zhangmu is a stark contrast to the brown of the Tibetan Plateau
Zhangmu behind us
Zhangmu behind us
A temple on the Nepal side of the border (N27.975/E85.963)
A temple on the Nepal side of the border (N27.975/E85.963)
The transition to Nepal is visible with terraced fields built right up to the border
The transition to Nepal is visible with terraced fields built right up to the border
The Friendship Highway has run 740km from Lhasa to here the last few km
The Friendship Highway has run 740km from Lhasa to here the last few km
The Friendship Bridge - the border with Nepal (left) and China (right)
The Friendship Bridge - the border with Nepal (left) and China (right)