Tibetan Footprints - How Far is Ali from Paradise

Author: Yu Xiang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: In Tibet, walking between the heavens and the earth, amidst mountains and waters, is a scene and a life lesson. We enjoy life in our journey. During the long holiday celebrating the 50th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet, fellow Tibet lovers gathered and drove to Nyingchi for a visit. Misty rain, fresh and humid air. The Zegong Highway winds westward along the Yarlung Tsangpo River. After leaving Zedang Town, the sun came out, and the sunshine was as bright as our mood. After the rain, the clouds under the sun and the deep, dark mountains below them, the sparkling Yarlung Tsangpo River at the foot of the mountains, and the lush forest belts in the valley, all formed beautiful and pleasing scenes. We walked in the gallery of the Yarlung Tsangpo River valley, accompanied by the beautiful scenery. The fertile Yarlung Tsangpo River valley was full of vitality. Rows of lush poplar trees swayed in the wind on the field ridges. The barley was ripe, and the fields were golden, depicting a scene of harvest. In the barley fields, there were the diligent figures of farmers working hard. The highland scenery is unique and beautiful. As we traveled along, our hearts followed the scenery. The sun was bright, and the mountains and rivers were clear and beautiful. Those worldly matters had been washed away, and the heart was so peaceful and open. After nearly two hours, we arrived at the Qushi Bridge. The Qushi Bridge is located in the west of Qushi County, on the Yarlung Tsangpo River, and is an important transportation hub with great strategic significance. The famous G318 National Highway passes through the north of the bridge, connecting directly to the Sichuan-Tibet Highway and Yunnan-Tibet Highway in the east. Westward, it goes down to the Zhangmu Port via Shigatse, reaching Kathmandu in Nepal, which is the Sino-Nepal Highway and the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway. Northward, it connects to the Qinghai-Tibet Highway via Duulong Deqing County. The south of the bridge connects to the vast southern Tibet region. The eastern end connects to Gongze Highway via Bayi Town in Nyingchi, linking to G318. To the west, it goes south via Jiang and east to Yarlung, connecting to Gantok in Sikkim. It can be said that all major highway arteries in Tibet pass through the Qushi Bridge. Therefore, this bridge is heavily guarded, and there are no streetlights on it. At night, passing vehicles are not allowed to turn on their headlights. Near the bridge, on the mountains, people have painted many ladder-shaped patterns on the rocks with white or red paint. This is a Tibetan custom, as people believe these are ladders to heaven. As we passed the Qushi Bridge, we saw a small boat rowing alone in the rapids of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. How small humans are in the face of the universe. After passing the Qushi Bridge, the highway follows the Lhasa River upstream. Where the Lhasa River enters the Yarlung Tsangpo, the riverbed is wide, and the water flows gently southwest. The prayer flags on the ridges by the roadside flutter in the wind. On the riverbanks, the smoke from the "sang" fires rises. Burning "sang" is a common religious activity in Tibet. It can be seen in temples, sacred mountains, holy lakes, mountain passes, important transportation hubs, and places where people believe it is necessary to burn. It is usually made of juniper, mugwort, and medicinal herbs, with tsampa, milk, or even candy and pastries sprinkled on top. It is generally believed that burning "sang" is a way to resonate with the universe. People use the rising smoke of "sang" to convey their reverence for the gods and their own hopes. I looked at the sky with clouds in the distance and hoped that the deities there could also feel my peaceful prayers. July is the rainy season in Tibet. Under the of the rain, the mountains on both banks of the Lhasa River are like brocade draped in green, with majestic mountains exuding elegance. Cloud bands float between the mountain waists. Under the clouds, the distant peaks appear and disappear.