An old Hui (Chinese Muslim) man ties a chicken to the back of his bicycle in the town of Linxia, a few hours north of Xiahe. The chicken didn't sound too happy.

The sunrise bathes the Labrang Monastery (Laboleng Si) in golden sunlight.

A typical feature of Tibetan architecture is the trapezoidal window frame.

The Labrang Monastery is surrounded on all sides by walls covered in prayer wheels, kept spinning by pious pilgrims.

A close-up of one of Labrang's most beautiful temples.

Self-portrait at the Labrang Monastery.

A group of young monks circumambulate clockwise around one of Labrang's many temples in a show of spiritual devotion.

Three photos taken in the courtyard of Labrang's main temple showing 1) two lone monks beginning prayer chants, 2) many monks standing up and entering the temple in response to the blowing of conch shells from above, and 3) the pile of boots left outside when the monks had entered the temple.

A long row of monks sitting inside Labrang's main temple.

Beautiful wall painting behind a display of arrows and prayer flags.

A lone pilgrim circumambulates one of Labrang's white stupas while a lone bird flies overhead.

Chris and Rachel pose in the cold in front of Labrang's main temple.

A donkey cart laden with fragrant incense branches behind a monk with cellphone.

The outdoor market just outside of Labrang's main entrance shows a wide variety of Xiahe's inhabitants.

A monk video-conferencing with a friend in one of Xiahe's suprisingly high-quality Internet cafes.