![The Yarlung Valley south of Tsetang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727095.HPHHK5rO.TibetOct081187.jpg) The Yarlung Valley south of Tsetang |
![Yumbulagang, 13 km south of Tsetang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727098.etXOtrLj.TibetOct081189.jpg) Yumbulagang, 13 km south of Tsetang |
![Yumbulagang, considered to be the oldest building in Tibet](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727102.YBSnR5V4.TibetOct081190.jpg) Yumbulagang, considered to be the oldest building in Tibet |
![Yarlung Valley, the Cradle of Tibetan Civilization](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727105.jHVFgdv3.TibetOct081192.jpg) Yarlung Valley, the "Cradle of Tibetan Civilization" |
![Most of the current structure was reconstructed in 1982 after damage from the Cultural Revolution](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727108.LbHEvQ6N.TibetOct081193.jpg) Most of the current structure was reconstructed in 1982 after damage from the Cultural Revolution |
![Yumbulagang - summer palace of King Songsten Gampo and Princess Wencheng, 7th Century](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727112.pWYHiDxW.TibetOct081194.jpg) Yumbulagang - summer palace of King Songsten Gampo and Princess Wencheng, 7th Century |
![The road from Tsetang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727116.WK5XsUY6.TibetOct081195.jpg) The road from Tsetang |
![Yumbulagang, worth the drive from Lhasa](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727121.TvMPtejg.TibetOct081196.jpg) Yumbulagang, worth the drive from Lhasa |
![You can walk to the top, take a 2 humped camel, a small horse, or....](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727124.B0wHi6jD.TibetOct081198.jpg) You can walk to the top, take a 2 humped camel, a small horse, or.... |
![....a highly decorated Yak!](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727125.5Xmp4XCI.TibetOct081200.jpg) ....a highly decorated Yak! |
![I voted for the yak](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727127.C9Ov0jgg.TibetOct081201.jpg) I voted for the yak |
![Although the yak was mentioned in my itinerary, the guide insisted it was not included](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727129.ZIjJarvN.TibetOct081203.jpg) Although the yak was mentioned in my itinerary, the guide insisted it was not included |
![...another set of annoying phone calls back to the office and yes, the yak was included](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727130.srDqnmhj.TibetOct081204.jpg) ...another set of annoying phone calls back to the office and yes, the yak was included |
![Me on a yak](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727133.Q7yTUNt2.TibetOct081209.jpg) Me on a yak |
![The tourist village below Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727134.NCV5yQRa.TibetOct081210.jpg) The tourist village below Yumbulagang |
![Riding the yak to the Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727137.bBVhxvYu.TibetOct081211.jpg) Riding the yak to the Yumbulagang |
![Yumbulagang village](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727138.b7pU4Rq4.TibetOct081212.jpg) Yumbulagang village |
![Hoopoe, a very distinctive and colorful bird (Upupa epops)](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727142.4Q2KNvX2.TibetOct081213.jpg) Hoopoe, a very distinctive and colorful bird (Upupa epops) |
![It's a bit like what I'd imaging it's like to ride a cow](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727143.qNv9e6RF.TibetOct081221.jpg) It's a bit like what I'd imaging it's like to ride a cow |
![I can't say the yak was too enthousiastic about the whole thing](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727145.5KfA38Eq.TibetOct081225.jpg) I can't say the yak was too enthousiastic about the whole thing |
![Tourist Tibet](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727147.g5CRHSvV.TibetOct081227.jpg) Tourist Tibet |
![The climb to Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727148.OQV5KAb1.TibetOct081228.jpg) The climb to Yumbulagang |
![View of Yumbulagang Village from the yak trail](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727151.Uc9VYQqd.TibetOct081231.jpg) View of Yumbulagang Village from the yak trail |
![Yumbulagang Village](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727154.GkMW0N6u.TibetOct081232.jpg) Yumbulagang Village |
![Yak and yak-man](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727161.dJtq1xdd.TibetOct081236.jpg) Yak and yak-man |
![Legend puts the founding of Yumbulagang to the first king of Tibet, Nyatri Tsenpo in the 2nd Century BC](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727156.zFlwnLMm.TibetOct081233.jpg) Legend puts the founding of Yumbulagang to the first king of Tibet, Nyatri Tsenpo in the 2nd Century BC |
![Yumbulagang now houses a shrine](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727164.Fyy3xmdp.TibetOct081237.jpg) Yumbulagang now houses a shrine |
![The rocky peaks behind Yumbulagang covered with prayer flags](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727167.EmMaYKPb.TibetOct081239.jpg) The rocky peaks behind Yumbulagang covered with prayer flags |
![Climbing behind Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727168.mgT0J0p0.TibetOct081240.jpg) Climbing behind Yumbulagang |
![Fellow tourists at Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727171.5qPUujr7.TibetOct081241.jpg) Fellow tourists at Yumbulagang |
![Prayer-flag covered mountain behind Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727173.extON3Rm.TibetOct081242.jpg) Prayer-flag covered mountain behind Yumbulagang |
![Each piece of colored cloth is printed with a Tibetan prayer](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727177.zHXNUzVZ.TibetOct081244.jpg) Each piece of colored cloth is printed with a Tibetan prayer |
![View of Yumbulagang from the behind](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727180.XQaXgJ5W.TibetOct081245.jpg) View of Yumbulagang from the behind |
![Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727183.VCl4BGbq.TibetOct081246.jpg) Yumbulagang |
![Yumbulagang's tower 11m tall](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727186.Aa2G3jDG.TibetOct081247.jpg) Yumbulagang's tower 11m tall |
![Prayer flags at Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727187.YKnaBgar.TibetOct081248.jpg) Prayer flags at Yumbulagang |
![Prayer flags are only used in Tibetan Buddhism](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727190.K9GRYMo3.TibetOct081249.jpg) Prayer flags are only used in Tibetan Buddhism |
![Prayer flags come in 5 colors](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727191.AItyUaJy.TibetOct081250.jpg) Prayer flags come in 5 colors |
![Kids climbing the mountain at Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105727196.CT7kA5hl.TibetOct081252.jpg) Kids climbing the mountain at Yumbulagang |
![Prayer flags blowing in the strong wind](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728084.LlkvjMSu.TibetOct081253.jpg) Prayer flags blowing in the strong wind |
![View from the second peak](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728089.Pk463diJ.TibetOct081257.jpg) View from the second peak |
![The wind blowing prayers to heaven and blessing the countryside](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728092.7qzG396c.TibetOct081260.jpg) The wind blowing prayers to heaven and blessing the countryside |
![Yumbulagang and prayer flags](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728096.6g3hvtus.TibetOct081261.jpg) Yumbulagang and prayer flags |
![Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728100.SJMmdL6z.TibetOct081262.jpg) Yumbulagang |
![It's worth the effort to climb the mountain behind Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728104.V8RWx0iG.TibetOct081263.jpg) It's worth the effort to climb the mountain behind Yumbulagang |
![Yumbulagang and the Yarlung Valley](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728107.XmM1vkkp.TibetOct081264.jpg) Yumbulagang and the Yarlung Valley |
![Yumbulagang and the Yarlung Valley](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728110.VchXiY7X.TibetOct081268.jpg) Yumbulagang and the Yarlung Valley |
![Looking south across the Yarlung Valley](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728114.qooMv42Y.TibetOct081269.jpg) Looking south across the Yarlung Valley |
![Prayer flags with colors representing the elements](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728117.N5V0oMMQ.TibetOct081270.jpg) Prayer flags with colors representing the elements |
![Tower of Yumbulagang with prayer flags](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728120.u0pWwM25.TibetOct081274.jpg) Tower of Yumbulagang with prayer flags |
![The road climbing to Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728123.hxNeJFID.TibetOct081277.jpg) The road climbing to Yumbulagang |
![Colorful Tibetan prayer flags](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728127.msoufSZw.TibetOct081278.jpg) Colorful Tibetan prayer flags |
![Small outlying building, Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728131.3QEpna5x.TibetOct081280.jpg) Small outlying building, Yumbulagang |
![The tower of Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728134.k6X8PzPL.TibetOct081281.jpg) The tower of Yumbulagang |
![Prayer wheels, Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728138.jVTCPp6p.TibetOct081282.jpg) Prayer wheels, Yumbulagang |
![South side of Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728141.iTWm0Az5.TibetOct081283.jpg) South side of Yumbulagang |
![Yarlung Valley](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728144.ZDUwUmoh.TibetOct081284.jpg) Yarlung Valley |
![Chörten (chedi, stupa)](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728148.F2Jlohsm.TibetOct081285.jpg) Chörten (chedi, stupa) |
![Yumbulagang is rather small close up](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728152.d8TC4qie.TibetOct081286.jpg) Yumbulagang is rather small close up |
![Prayer wheels and oven, Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728156.lCJzZ4io.TibetOct081287.jpg) Prayer wheels and oven, Yumbulagang |
![Yumbulagang from the forecourt](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728159.6qjxKQ3c.TibetOct081288.jpg) Yumbulagang from the forecourt |
![Old woman being helped down the steep steps](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728163.Vrv0Jfrk.TibetOct081289.jpg) Old woman being helped down the steep steps |
![Interior chapel dedicated to the kings of Tibet with Buddha statue (Jowo Norbu Sampel Gulyendho)](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728166.96WKaNqZ.TibetOct081292.jpg) Interior chapel dedicated to the kings of Tibet with Buddha statue (Jowo Norbu Sampel Gulyendho) |
![2nd level terrace, Yumbulagung](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728169.VvmIe1JE.TibetOct081293.jpg) 2nd level terrace, Yumbulagung |
![Yarlung Zorthang, the first cultivated field in Tibet marked by a stone monument](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728173.XbVpyqps.TibetOct081296.jpg) Yarlung Zorthang, the first cultivated field in Tibet marked by a stone monument |
![Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728177.9Kdly0pQ.TibetOct081299.jpg) Yumbulagang |
![Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728180.IphsSZPA.TibetOct081300.jpg) Yumbulagang |
![Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728185.EQ24jDIv.TibetOct081301.jpg) Yumbulagang |
![Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728189.0wSJtK77.TibetOct081302.jpg) Yumbulagang |
![I'll walk down, thanks](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728193.6ygCmkRH.TibetOct081303.jpg) I'll walk down, thanks |
![Stones piled along the trail](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728196.GlO89vpJ.TibetOct081305.jpg) Stones piled along the trail |
![Yak with Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728199.9B1QicjO.TibetOct081306.jpg) Yak with Yumbulagang |
![Sign at Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728203.QsxWCRV2.TibetOct081309.jpg) Sign at Yumbulagang |
![Tibetan visitor to Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728206.o2QG9EQ9.TibetOct081310.jpg) Tibetan visitor to Yumbulagang |
![China Post, Yumbulagang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728211.mkpJpyiZ.TibetOct081312.jpg) China Post, Yumbulagang |
![Driver paying the parking fee](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728215.Y2sq6iIU.TibetOct081314.jpg) Driver paying the parking fee |
![Men passing time playing a game](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728218.eAoBDo2b.TibetOct081315.jpg) Men passing time playing a game |
![A small monastery, Riwo Cholung Gompa, high on a hill above the Yarlung Valley (N29.179/E91.791)](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728225.Y79E8MCw.TibetOct081318.jpg) A small monastery, Riwo Cholung Gompa, high on a hill above the Yarlung Valley (N29.179/E91.791) |
![Small temple with a Chinese-style roof, Yarlung Valley](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/105728228.tmUJ5JXw.TibetOct081319.jpg) Small temple with a Chinese-style roof, Yarlung Valley |