STEVE RAZZETTI MOUNTAIN PHOTOGRAPHY AND JOURNALISM

HIMALAYA: TIBET

"From mid-sky heaven, seven-stage high 

Heavenly sphere, azure blue, 

Came our king, Lord of men, 

Son divine, to Tibet. 

Land so high, made so pure 

Without equal, without peer, 

Land indeed! Best of all! 

Religion too, surpassing all!" 

Stone inscription, translated and quoted by Snellgrove and Richardson in "A Cultural History of Tibet" 

"Drake himself, confronted with the same discouragements, might well have degenerated into a stay-at-home" 

A.P. Herbert 1935 

  • Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Gyachung Kang and Cho Oyu seend from the Tibetan plateau near TingriA stitch of two images
  • The north face of Everest (8858m) at sunset from the moraine of the Rogbuk glacier above base campBronica ETRSi, 150mm, Fuji Velvia
  • The Potala, seen from the base of Chokpuri Hill. The old West Gate to the city was here, demolished long ago by the Chinese to make way for the modern road.Nikon F5, 17mm, Fuji Velvia
  • Potala_from_Jokhang_2003RVP
  • A decorative plaque on the wall of the holiest of Tibetan temples in Lhasa. A dragon blows a conch shell (dun), symbolising the spoken word.Nikon F5, 35mm, Fuji Velvia
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  • Buddhist monks taking an afternoon stroll in the huge plaza in front of the Jokhang.Nikon F5, 17mm, Fuji Velvia
  • Two Tibetan pilgrims resting during their koras of this, the holiest of Lhasa's Buddhist sitesNikon F5, 17-35mm zoom, Fuji Velvia 100
  • A Tibetan pilgrim pauses whilst completing his koras on the Barkhor, the sacred circuit of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa.Nikon F5, 35mm, Fuji Velvia 100
  • Buddha figures in one of the many small temples within the precincts of the JokhangNikon F5, 17mm, Fuji Velvia 100
  • A young novice of the Gelug-pa sect. Headed by the Dalai Lama, this is the most powerful of all the sects in Tibet and was founded by Tsong Khapa in the fourteenth century.Nikon F5, 35mm, Fuji Velvia 100
  • All day on this holy route, a constand stream of shuffling, chanting people circle the Jokhang. This is life as meditation....Nikon F5, 180mm, Fuji Velvia 100
  • A woman pilgrim resting with her son in the courtyard.Nikon F5, 35mm, Fuji Velvia
  • Nikon F5, 35mm, Fuji Velvia 100
  • The Abbott poses for a photograph with a group of monks who have just completed a year's retreat at this beautiful monastery in a high valley near Lhasa.Nikon F5, 17mm, Fuji Velvia
  • The ruins of the once magnificent Palkhor GompahNikon f5, 180mm, Fuji Velvia
  • In the Barkhor SquareBronica ETRSi, 75mm, Fuji Velvia
  • Monks shopping in the Barkhor SquareBronica ETRSi, 150mm, Fuji Velvia
  • The market in front of the Jokhang temple in Barkhor SquareBronica ETRSi, 50mm, Fuji Velvia
  • A view of the roof-topsBronica ETRSi, 50mm, Fuji Velvia
  • An enormous gold-leafed example of a dpal-be or cylindrical banner depicting the Buddhist victory over ignorance and deathBronica ETRSi, 50mm, Fuji Velvia
  • A fine selection of the distinctive woolen aprons worn by married Tibetan women over their chhubasBronica ETRSi, 75mm, Fuji Velvia
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  • A colourful scene in the Barkhor SquareBronica ETRSi, 50mm, Fuji Velvia
  • One of two giant juniper hearths in front of the holiest temple in LhasaBronica ETRSi, 50mm, Fuji Velvia
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  • A magnificent darma wheel (one of the eight sacred elements of Buddhism) on the roof of the Potala in LhasaBronica ETRSi, 50mm, Fuji Velvia
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  • Two men meeting on the Barkhor in LhasaBronica ETRSi, 150mm, Fuji Velvia
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  • Golden roofs under a threatening skyBronica ETRSi, 150mm, Fuji Velvia
  • A view of the rooftopsNikon FM2, 24mm, Fuji Velvia
  • Detail of the gilded roofs in this enormous monastic complex in ShigatseBronica ETRSi, 150mm, Fuji Velvia
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  • Padmasambhava means {quote}the lotus-born{quote}, and this famous Buddhist teacher is always depicted seated on a lotus flower. The Tibetans call him Guru Rinpoche, and he was instrumental in the spread of Buddhism in Tibet during the 8th century. This statue is at Shigatse.Nikon FM2, 50mm, Fuji Velvia
  • The founder of the Gelug-pa or Yellow Hat sect of tantric Buddhism. This staue is at Shigatse.Nikon FM2, 50mm, Fuji Velvia
  • The Kelzang Kyamra is the great courtyard where ceremonial dances are performed during festivals. This view is lookong west to the Dukhang or Assembly Hall - the oldest building at Tashilhunpo. The Panchen Lama has been more accommodating than most Tibetans to the Chinese since the invasion, and this may help to explain the $10 million the latter have reputedly lavished on refurbishments hereNikon F5, 17-35mm, Fuji Velvia 100
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  • Tashilhunpo is one of the greatest of all the Gelukpa monasteries in Tibet, and the seat if the Panchen Lama. This temple houses the largest statue of Maitreya (the future Buddha) in the world.Nikon f5, 17-35mm, Fuji Velvia 100
  • This stupendous monastery is more like a small walled city, and is the seat of the Panchen Lamas. Of all the major monastic centres in Tibet, Tashilhunpo has survived more or less intact and had much lavish restoration work done on it - probably because the Panchen Lama chose to co-operate with the Chinese after the invasion.Nikon F5, 17mm, Fuji Velvia 100
  • Artists working on a mural during renovations at the seat of the Panchen Lama in Shigatse (Xigatse)Bronica ETRSi, 75mm, Fuji Velvia
  • An artist applying gold-leaf to a mural during renovations at the seat of the Panchen Lama in ShigatseBronica ETRSi, 75mm, Fuji Velvia
  • A stone mason working on renovations at this huge monastic complex in Shigatse (Xigatse)Bronica ETRSi, 75mm, Fuji Velvia
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  • The gilded roofs of this huge monastic complex at Shigatse, under a stormy skyBronica ETRSi, 50mm, Fuji Velvia
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  • From beyond the horizon, the distant peaks of the Himalaya cast their eerie shadows across the dusk skyBronica ETRSi, 50mm, Fuji Velvia
  • Peaks on the border between Tibet and Bhutan, seen from Yamdrok Yam Tso on the old road from Lhasa to Gyantse. In the centre is the broad bulk of Khula Kangri (7554m), and at the far right is Gangkar Peunsum (7570m)Nikon F5, 180mm, Fuji Velvia 100
  • This stunning turquoise lake is held back by a recent hyrdo-electricity projectNikon F5, 17-35mm, Fuji Velvia 100
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  • The magnificent view south from the Pang La on the approach to Everest from Tibet. On the skyline, from left to right, are Makalu, Chomolonzo, Everest, Cho Oyo & Gyachhung KangBronica ETRSi, 50mm, Fuji Velvia
  • A view to Makalu and Everest from this spectacular pass on the road to Everest from TibetBronica ETRSi, 50mm, Fuji Velvia
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  • In 1999 NASA announced that the height of the world's most famous mountain was actually 8850m - up 2m from the previously accepted figure of 8848m. This is the north face, seen from the Rogbuk glacierBronica ETRSi, 150mm, Fuji Velvia
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  • The north face of Everest, seen from Rongbuk Monastery.Nikon F5, 17mm, Fuji Velvia 100
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  • Chomolungma to the Tibetans, the north face is seen here from the Pang La.Nikon FM2, 24mm, Fuji Velvia
  • The classic view of Everest from base camp on the Rongbuk glacier.Nikon F5, 180mm, Fuji Velvia 100
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  • Sunrise on the Kangshung Face, from Pethang Ringmo (4983m) on the Kangshung Glacier.Nikon F5, 180mm, Fuji Velvia 100
  • The first rays of sun illuminate the east faces of Lhotse and EverestNikon F5, 17-35mm zoom, Fuji Velvia 100
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  • While the scintillating first rays of sun catch the peaks above, this camp lies in the grip of the night's heavy frostNikon F5, 17-35mm, Fuji Velvia 100
  • Beneath the towering north face of Chomolonzo (7677m), the incomparable Kharta Valley drains the eastern (Kangshung) face of Everest.Nikon F5, 17mm, Fuji Velvia 100
  • Nikon F5, 17-35mm, Fuji Velvia 100
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  • Part of the summit ridge, seen through breaking cloud from just below the Langma LaNikon F5, 180mm, Fuji Velvia 100
  • The main summit, glimpsed briefly through a hole in the cloud from the descent from the Langma LaNikon F5, 180mm, Fuji Velvia 100
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  • Chomolonzo at dawn from Pethang in the Kharta Valley.Nikon F5, 35mm, Fuji Velvia 100
  • The summit. Telephoto at dawn, from Pethang Ringmo on the Kangshung glacierNikon F5, 180mm, Fuji Velvia 100
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  • The rarely seen northern side of this incredible mountain, from the Kangshung Glacier.Nikon F5, 180mm, Fuji Velvia 100
  • Pethang Ringmo, by the snout of the Kangshung glacier, is the base camp for expeditions to the Kangshung (east) face of EverestNikon F5, 17-35mm, Fuji Velvia 100
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  • The first rays of sun catching the summits of Chomolonzo, from Pethang Ringmo.Nikon F5, 180mm, Fuji Velvia 100
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  • The holy mountain, seen here from the roof of Chhiu Gompah on the shores of Manasarovar Lake.Bronica ETRS, 50mm, Fuji Velvia
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  • As the road to Darchen climbs north out of Taklakot, this magnificent vista appears to the south. These are the peaks of the Gharwal Himal.Nikon FM2, 24mm, Fuji Velvia
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  • Evening light on Gurla Mandhata (7694m), seen from the Plains of Barkha, south of Mount Kailas.Nikon FM2, 24mm, Fuji Velvia
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  • A view south to Api, Nampa and Saipal - the most remote peaks in north-west Nepal. Taken from the road to the Gurla La from Purang, south of Kailas / ManasorovarBronica ETRSi, 150mm, Vuji Velvia
  • From the shores of Manasarovar LakeBronica ETRSi, 75mm, Fuji Velvia
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  • Kang Rimpoche to the Tibetans, seen here from Chhiu Gompah on the shores of Manasarovar Lake in the province of Ngari, Western Tibet.
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  • This is a chakstal-gang or prostration station on the outer kora around Mount Kailas. The kora is the circuit trail used by pilgrims to circumambulate Kailas, and at every point on the route from which Kailas is visible there is a chakstal gang, where the devout throw themselves to the ground in hommage.Beyond, across the plains of Barkha, Manasorovar Lake and the distant peaks of the Nepal Himalaya can be seen.Bronica ETRSi, 50mm, Fuji Velvia
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  • A pilgrim on the Kailas kora - the ritual circumambulation of Mount KailasBronica ETRS, 75mm, Fuji Velvia
  • A Tibetan Buddhist pilgrim on the Kailas KoraBronica ETRSi, 75mm, Fuji Velvia
  • A Tibetan Buddhist pilgrim on the Kailas KoraBronica ETRSi, 75mm, Fuji Velvia
  • A Tibetan Buddhist pilgrim on the Kailas KoraBronica ETRSi, 75mm, Fuji Velvia
  • A Tibetan Buddhist pilgrim at the Dolma La on the Kailas KoraBronica ETRSi, 75mm, Fuji Velvia
  • A Tibetan Buddhist pilgrim on the Kailas KoraBronica ETRSi, 75mm, Fuji Velvia
  • A Tibetan Buddhist pilgrim on the Kailas KoraBronica ETRSi, 75mm, Fuji Velvia
  • One of our drivers from Lhasa taking a break during the journey to Everest.Nikon F5, 35mm, Fuji Velvia 100
  • Detail of a Buddhist mural in this fantastically located monastery beneath the north face of Everest.Nikon F5, 50mm, Fuji Velvia 100
  • Prayer flags silhouetted against the afternoon sun at Everest base camp on the Rongbuk glacierNikon F5, 17-35mm, Fuji Velvia 100
  • Tibetan prayer flags in the five auspicious colours swathe the rocks and cairns at the Dolma La (5630m), the highest point on the Kailas kora.Nikon FM2, 24mm, Fuji Velvia
  • Legend ascribes many incredible feats to Guru Rinpoche or Padmasambhava, including victory in a duel of magic with the Bon deity Naro Bon-chhung to secure Mount Kailas as a holy site for Buddhists. He is also reputed to have meditated in this tiny cave beneath Chhiu gompah, at the back of which lies this ancient mani-stone depicting the saint.Nikon FM2, 50mm, Fuji Velvia
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  • Seen from the Tang La (5050m), this is the only one of the world's 14 8000m peaks that lies entirely within Tibet. Actually it is the highest peak in the Langtang Himal, and is also visible from several high points in this much visited part of Nepal to the southBronica ETRSi, 50mm, Fuji Velvia
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