Project Summary

In 2010 the fifth Yale Silk Road field study focused on ethnicity and social change in Silk Road regions of Western China. The field study explored "both the complex history of the Silk Road regions of Western China and the interactions of various ethnic groups (such as Uyghur, Tibetan and Hui) with the Han Chinese, as well as the current social, political, economic, and environmental conditions in Western China. It was designed to help college and K-12 faculty to develop enlightening curricula, to transform other professionals’ perspectives about China, and to enable participants to identify and access unique resources about China."  -Program in International Educational Resources

Sites visited:

The Yale Silk Road Database is an ongoing project; currently, some sites are not represented.

Northwest University for Nationalities  (西北民族大学) in Lanzhou

Bingling Temple and Grottoes (Binglingsi 炳灵寺)

Lanzhou-Xining (兰州 - 西宁): Qinghai Provincial Museum; Qutan Monastery (Qutansi 瞿坛寺)

Xining-Niaodao (西宁 ‐ 鸟岛): Qinghai Lake, Sand Dunes, and Bird Island (青海湖，鸟岛)

Niaodao-Huzhu County-Xining (鸟岛 - 互助县 - 西宁)

Xining-Tongren (西宁 ‐ 同仁): Ta’er Temple (Taersi .塔尔寺 Kumbun in Tibetan); Xining Prefectural Museum; Tu Nationality Village (互助县土族民俗)

Xining--Xiahe (西宁 - 夏河): Road to Wutong Lower Temple through Xionghua (Sala minority area); Wutong Lower Temple (Wutongsi 悟同下寺) and its famous Thangka Painting (唐卡绘制) Workshop; Road to Xiahe through Guashi Ze and Grasslands

Xiahe-Hezuo: (夏河 - 合作): Labrang Monastery (Labulang 拉卜楞寺)

Hezuo-Ruoergai (合作 - 若尔盖): Langmu Temple (and Langmusi 郎木寺)

Ruoergai-Hongyuan (若尔盖 - 红原) Chuan West Grasslands; Waqie Pagoda (Waqie talin 瓦切塔林) and Maiwa Temple (Maiwasi 麦洼寺)

Hongyuan-Maerkang (红原 - 马尔康)

Maerkang-Danba (马尔康 - 丹巴): Zhuokeji Village (local kings of Jiarong Tibetan Area); Songgang King Village

Danba-Kangding (丹巴 - 康定): Scenic Jiaju Tibetan Valley (Jiaju Zangzhai (甲居藏寨)

Kangding-Ya’an (康定 - 雅安): Nanwu and Jingang Temples (Nanwusi 南无寺 and Jingangsi 金刚寺)

Ya’an-Leshan (雅安 - 乐山)

Leshan-Chengdu (乐山 - 成都): Emeishan (峨眉山 / Baoguosi and Fuhusi Nunnery)

Chengdu - Dujiangyan (成都 ‐ 都江堰)

Lhasa / Lasa ( 拉萨): Ramoche Monastery (Xiaozhaosi 小昭寺);  Potala Palace (Budalagong 布达拉宫); Jokhang Monastery (Dazhaosi 大昭寺); Barkhor Street (Bakuojie 八廓街); Drepung Monastery (Zhefengsi 哲蜂寺); Norbulingka (Luobulinka 罗布林卡); Tibet Museum (西藏博物馆)

Tsetang / Zedang (泽当): Views of Yalong River; Yumbu Lakang
(Yongbulakang Gongdian 雍布拉康宫殿); Tsetang township; Nedong County (Naidongxian); Tradruk Temple (Changzhusi 昌珠寺)

Chongye County (Qiongjiexian 穷结县): Samye Monastery (Sangyesi 桑耶寺); Chongye Tombs (Tombs of the Tibetan Kings 藏王墓)

Gyantse / Jiangzi  江孜:  Dratang Monastery (Zhatangsi 扎塘寺); Dratang township (Zhatangzhen 扎塘镇); Dranang County (Zhanangxian 扎囊县); Lhoka (Shannan) District; Yamdrok Yumso (Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, Yangzhuoyonghu 羊卓雍湖); Nakartse County (Langkazixian 浪卡子县); Lhoka (Shannan) District

Shigatse / Rikaze 日喀则: Gyantse Dzong “Zong Shan” Mountain Fortress; Pelkhor Chode Temple Complex (Baijusi 白居寺); Tashilunpho Monastery (Zhashilunbusi 扎什伦布寺)

Lhasa (拉萨): Zhalu Monastery (Xialusi 夏鲁寺); Yamdrok Yumso Lake; Kambala Pass

Selection of Images

Permission to publish any image from this collection in print or on the Web is granted at the discretion of the relevant copyright holder and requests may be forwarded to the Council on East Asian Studies, Yale University.  Site technical questions and comments may be e-mailed to the Visual Resources Collection, Yale University.

Jiaju Tibetan Houses, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Danba County, Yale Silk Road Seminar 2010, © Alan Baubonis.

Tu Nationality Village, Qinghai Province,Huzhu County, Yale Silk Road Seminar 2010, © Abbey Newman.