Tibetan Book of the Dead

Author: Yizhi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-04-01
Features: The harsh natural environment of the Tibetan Plateau and the resilient wild yaks have given this book a solid name, "Tibetan Yakskin Book." The concept of the yakskin book lies in perseverance and genuine experience. It aims to convey a more simplistic way of life and serve as a travel guide with a unique appearance and substantial content, offering practical value. "Tibetan Yakskin Book" is the kind of book you can spot at a glance among a stack of others. Its packaging design is top-tier in China and is the perfect travel companion for backpackers. The book is interspersed with numerous hand-drawn maps, detailing convenient trails and restrooms. There are a few special features—yellow Dutch Mont paper is used to protect eyes from the strong sunlight on the plateau; highlighted sections are marked with circles, and arrows point to specific locations. Some pages are intentionally left slightly disheveled. Two small holes are drilled in the book. If it gets scattered during your journey, you can find a piece of yakskin rope or similar material in any part of Tibet, thread it through these holes, and ensure the book's safe return. As for the memories the rope will bring you years later, that's for you to discover. This is a travel guide designed for adventurous backpackers who enjoy exploring independently. It covers regions in Qinghai, Tibet, Yunnan, Sichuan, and Gansu, including sacred highland sites and snow-covered landscapes, author-experienced hiking routes, and lesser-known villages and pastures. It delves into the rich cultural traditions of the Tibetan and other minority ethnic groups. In addition to photographs taken by the author during his travels, the book is filled with detailed hand-drawn maps, including information that travelers care about, such as convenient trails and restrooms. These details and insights can only be truly appreciated through the act of traveling—they won't lead you astray.
Author Introduction: Yizhi was born in 1967 and spent his childhood and youth in Xining. A trip to Xinjiang a decade ago, funded by just a few hundred yuan, turned him into a dedicated traveler who values perseverance. After graduating, he worked as a teacher, a small shop owner, and a small business owner. In 1997, he moved to Beijing to establish his own studio and began a freelance career, earning a living through graphic design, photography, and writing. Yizhi has visited many rural areas in China, slept in various types of beds and, and firmly believes that this is the true essence of travel. Li Huo, born in the mid-1970s in Guangzhou, is currently a graduate student studying etching at an art academy. Perhaps due to his Hakka ancestry, he has a harsh yet passionate love for the northern and western regions of China. For the sake of safety during his travels, he has even taken vows as a monk or worked in any clothing store. This is a book written with the author's feet, formed during his travels, but it differs from ordinary travel guides because its design philosophy reflects a deep humanistic concern. For example, the two prominent holes on the spine are spare binding holes to prevent pages from falling out. The book provides as detailed an introduction to each travel route as possible, with some maps meticulously hand-drawn by the author—even the price of a bowl of noodles is included. For travelers about to set foot in Tibet, this is an indispensable guide. For those who cannot go yet, it is also a leisurely book that allows you to explore the landscapes of the polar regions and experience Tibetan culture.