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In late August 2003 a group of nature, mountain and minority people freaks set out to explore JHF's project areas in China's "Wild West". Meatsticks and mosques, Tibetans and temples - 2 weeks of pure adventure. For me, it was the fourth time to see the mountains of Qinghai. However, this time I got to visit three new areas: Gonghe, Qinghai lake, the Tu minority area and Henan county located on the high plateau. (view map of Qinghai)

This is where it all began - the 30 hour train ride from Beijing to Xining. Paul and his Brazilian guitar teacher (Ricardo)

The train ride is awfully long but fortunately quite scenic

We are there! What a contrast to the flatness and dullness of Tianjin or Beijing

Locally made yoghurt, for those with cowboy stomachs - we politely declined the seemingly unending offers

The Tu monastery, scenically located in the mountains

Friendly monks invited us in for some salty tea and stone-hard bread. Only the hardened ones amongst us enjoyed the combination...

The monks live in humble, tiny rooms in very frugal conditions

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