Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture: Ganjia Plains(甘南藏族自治州:甘加草原)

An open grassland flanked by mountains 30km north of Xiahe. Herders and their sheep, vultures and occasional hamlets scattered across the region. Of the latter, I like Bajiaocheng (八角城), a 2000 year-old walled city whose mud walls still surround the small mix-Tibetan and Han village with less than 1000 inhabitants. Not too far away was Zhuohai Monastery, dedicated to the Bon religion, Tibet’s indigenous faith prior to the arrival of Buddhism.