Close-up of a roof ornament at Jokhang Monastery, Lhasa, Tibet. This creature is a popular motif throughout Tibet. Personally, I believe it to be a cross between an elephant (which must have travelled to Tibet from India, along with Buddhism), and the Chinese dragon.

Inside Lhasa's most important temple, Jokhang Monastery, brightly colored buddhas line the interior square of the upper inside levels, above the main assembly hall. They are cloaked in rainbow-hued cloth which shimmers in any light. This is just one small detail making up the decorations and paintings throughout this monastery, which was one of my favorites.

Dogs lounge at the top of steps at a monastery in Shigatse, Tibet. Here they seem much healthier and cleaner than in some places. Beware, dogs are not very friendly in Tibet.

Rural transportation, Tibetan style. Their presence is preceded by the tinkling of bells hung at the horse's throat. Foals are often left untended to follow along. One tribal fashion for the men is to have their long hair in a single braid, and fasten a long tassle of red cords to it, and then wrap it around the head. A 6-inch (~10 cm) silver clip mounted with turquoise and coral is used to secure their hair wrap.

View inside the compound of Shigatse Monastery, Tibet.

Monks busily count the monetary offerings at a monastery in Shigatse, Tibet. Piles of money are left in front of the many statues and alters throughout any monastery, all unattended. Faithful will leave offerings at many spots throughout the temple. If you run out of small change, you can either have a monk change money into smaller bills (mao, each 1/10 of a yuan), or do it at a convenient pile of bills yourself.