In this second part of our series on Palden Gyal's return to Tibet, see Tibet's natural landscape and harmonious manmade structures. Listen to Palden discuss the landscape and his impressions on returning after 17 years abroad.
"It was amazing to see such wide open spaces again. I have grown used to the cities of the West, the places I have lived since leaving Tibet. But I have always considered Tibet my home, and I have never forgotten the land," he says.
To some degree all Tibetans live off of the land. Tibetan nomads make their homes on the vast grasslands, where their herds graze. And Tibetan Buddhists revere the natural wonders as places where spirits reside.
Palden documents all of this here and his photos tell a story of a land of stunning beauty and rich history.
We encourage you to comment on the slideshow. E-mail comments to Palden at tibetnews@rfa.org or post a message on our message board, Speak Up.
Coming next: Part 3: Faces of Tibet.
Written and produced for the Web by David Beasley and Palden Gyal. Edited by Catherine Antoine and Sarah Jackson-Han. Photos by Palden Gyal.