Grasslands below Shika Snow Mountain
Shangrila breakfastat the hotel: pork noodles, pickles, milk, rice porridge, stuffed buns and an egg.
The valley west of the city is sparsely populated and pretty flat. Primarily grassland, it is used primarily for agriculture. In spring crops of flowering plant light up the valley with color. At this time it was pretty barren. A highway cuts through and leads directly to the base of Shika Snow mountain. The road is lined for miles with an alternating pattern of reddish Mani Stone Piles and large wood racks (for drying grasses).
The Tibetan-style gateway to the valley, lined with brass prayer wheels. 
The best way to get around the valley is by Tibetan horse. They are a bit on the small side, but strong, and well adapted to the thin air. We head to a small ranch within the plains.
Click to see this one full size…
Looking for horses…
Jing took this one
The rancher was kind and offered 2 guides to take us around the plains.
A Tibetan altar we passed. These serve both a religious and navigational purpose.
An old clay foundation we were told was from a large estate of the region’s royalty, dated 400 years ago.
We found horses grazing along the hills. 
A view of a village in the distance.
A birch woods near the hills
It’s hot and my ass is numb. Time for a break.
The flowers that will soon take over the valley (I don’t know what they are) 
Back on the trail…
Big pile of shit 
New Tibetan-style home being built. 
We stroll into the village
This is evidence as to how popular basketball has become in China. A place that has dirt roads, dirt walls and no sewer, has a cement full court. 
Drying racks for grass (an sometimes corn) line the roads. 
My first doorway shot from horseback.
A lot of homes here are painted by pouring paint over the concrete walls to create this dripping pattern.
A roundabout created to look like a mani pile
Several small settlements spot the valley.
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