A journey to Tibet

Front view of Potala Palace (Seat of Power of all Dalai Lamas). The Potala Palace in Lhasa, was the chief residence of the Dalai Lama until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959. Seat of Power of Dalai Lamas it has the bodies of all but sixth Dalai Lama buried here. Built at an altitude of 3,700 metres, it's divided into White Palace - the administrative wing and the Red Palace - the religious wing.

Inner courtyard of Jokhang Temple of Lhasa, Tibet. This is located on Barkhor Square in Lhasa. For most Tibetans, it is the most sacred and important temple in Tibet.

Another view of Jokhang Temple. Jokhang Temple was founded during the reign of king Songsten Gampo and was built for his two brides Princess Wencheng of the Chinese Tang dynasty and Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal.

View of Potala Palace from Jokhang Temple. Potala Palace and Nokhang Temple are the two most popular tourist attaractions in Lhasa and both are part of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

A shopping complex in Front yard of Jokhang Temple. Tourists buy souvenirs here, but the prices are steep like any tourist place. Different types of semi-precious stones, prayer beads, statues, even tea kettles can be bought here.

Inside Qushui railway station, about 80 km from Lhasa. Seven years after it began an ambitious rail journey from Beijing to Lhasa, China's railway plans for Tibet are firmly on track with the inauguration of two new rail lines going west and east from Lhasa. The extended lines, (251 kms) from the Tibetan capital to the city of Shigatse on the west and (433 kms) from Lhasa to Nyingchi still under construction to the east, will effectively link Tibet to India, Nepal and Bhutan as well, all part of the Chinese government's mission 2020 for infrastructure in Tibet.

Front view of Qushui railway station.

In Bright Red, Qushui railway station.

Railway Line to Shigatse. This train on this railway line runs only twice a day at the moment, but can handle much higher passenger rush.

From within the Mountains - the Railway Line. To build this railway line, mountains have been bored through and bridges raised. To connect every part of Tibet.

On road in bustling city of Lhasa. Apart from other vehicles, cycles and rickshaws are also a common sight.

Chicken-Potato Curry in Lhasa. A typical Tibetan curry - very spicy and very much like Indian curry.

Traditional Tibetan Singers Welcome Guests at Dinner. Dressed in traditional Tibetan dresses, they sing a different song for each guest while playing Tibetan string instruments.

Inside a tunnel en route to Lhasa. Several such tunnels have been built in Tibet to lay more than 1,300 kms of railway line and more than one lakh kms of highways. There are several short, as well as long, tunnles, which have reduced travel time to almost half.

Rainbow in Dark Lhasa Sky. The contrast between the sky and the bright buildings brings out the unique Lhasa style of architecture.

Umashankar Singh on the Banks of Brahmaputra, at a lookout place, nestled next to a mountain.

On the Highway Again.

Mountains and the Mighty River.

As Far As Eyes Can See.

Crop is Home. Highland Barley is the staple crop - highly nutritious and forming 60 pc of the total crop.

These Eyes Have Seen A Lot. An old Tibetan lady in the model village of Deji.

Dark Mountains and the Very Blue sky.

Inside the Tangkha Painting Workshop. A skill that pays. A painting was sold for more than three crore Indian rupees.

A Sky to Remember.

Religion and the State. Almost all buildings - residences, offices, even monasteries and temples fly the Chinese flag.

From the top, Jokhang temple, its frontyard. With neatly lined shops on both sides.

Musical Instruments on sale in one of the shops at Jokhang Temple Courtyard.

Tourists coming out of Summer Palace of the 14th Dalai Lama at Norbulinka. This place has been preserved and opened for all now.

Highways, where the overbridges rise to meet the skies.

Buildings under construction in Lhasa. New buildings dominate the place and yet construction seems to go on unabated.

At the Gates of Lhasa.

One of the many tunnels, China has built in the mountaineous landscape of Tibet to reach its target of more than one lakh kms of highways by 2020.

Overbridges and hoardings dot the highway from Shannon to Lhasa.

Towers supporting power cables can be seen at the farthest, highest reaches of the mountains.

At the entrance of one more tunnel on the highway. Replete with a hoarding.

The spanking new, updated Gonggar Airport of Lhasa. At an elevation of 3,570 metres (11,710 ft), Lhasa Airport is one of the highest in the world. It was built in 1965, a second runway was built in 1994, and terminal facilities were upgraded in 2004.