A Bai aboriginal woman stands in an alley talking with friend in a village located near the old city of Dali, China. Dali, located in China’s Yunnan Province, was once an ancient capital and is home to the Bai minority group.

A young Tibetan tends to his cows outside his home situated in the mountains outside the village of Yubong, The village is located at the base of Lushan Mountian Range and take a day of hiking to reach there from the trail head which is located near the city of Deqin.

A Bai aboriginal woman works to make a kind of cheese which is rolled then placed on bamboo poles to dry. She is working from her home kitchen which is located in a small village located near the old city of Dali, China. This traditional craft of cheese making is rarely seen anymore. Dali, located in China’s Yunnan Province, was once an ancient capital and is home to the Bai minority group.

Tibetan horsemen race each other outside of Shangrila, China.

A Tibetan horse rider takes part in a race during a local festival outside the city of Shangri La in China’s Yunnan Province.

Tibetan horse riders take part in a race during a local festival outside the city of Shangri La in China’s Yunnan Province.

View along the road between Shangri-La and De Qing, China. The Jin Sha River flows around a mountain while on its route to form the Yangtze River. This turn in the river is known as the Jin Sha Jang Di Yi Wan.

A view of Meilixue Shan located along the border between China’s Yunnan Province and Tibet. The mountain is part of the Lushu Mountain Range and its peak, known as Kagbo Peak or Virgin Peak, is considered sacred and rises to an altitude of 6740 meters above sea level.

A rice field at dusk outside the city of Lijiang in China’s Yunnan Province.

A Tibetan symbol known as a Lapse stands near a stupa located outside the city of Shangrila in China’s Yunnan Province. The Lapse is used to protect villages and families.

A lone tree stands in a field near Wenhai lake in a valley located above the historic city of Lijiang in China’s Yunnan Province.

Sunflower, Lijiang, China

Portrait of Aga Shama, a member of the Yi Ethnic Minority Group in Lijiang, China. The large hat worn my Yi women signifies that they are married.

A scene in Baisha Village in China’s Yunnan Province. The locals are all members of the Naxi Ethnic Minority Group.

Portrait of a sheep herder in the mountains outside of Lijiang, China.

View of the Sanyan (Three Eyed) Well located in the old town of Lijiang, China. The well is divided into three poos with the first, being the most fresh, for drinking water, the second for washing vegetables and the third for washing clothes.

For people living in remote spots along the Nu River in China’s Yunnan Province the only way to cross is by attaching themselves to a cable zipline and letting gravity do the work.

A view of the Nu River in China’s Yunnan Province.

Rice Harvest in China’s Yunan Province.

A team of pack mules cross the Bi River over an aging suspension bridge near the town of Yunlong, China.

Residents living along the Nu River in China’s Yunnan Province carefully make their way across an old suspension bridge.

Nuodeng Village located in China’s Yunnan Province.

A villager enjoys an afternoon smoke in Zhang Lang village, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan.

Hani ethnic minority girl wearing colorfu headdress.

Morning market in Menghai, Xishuangbanna, China

Morning market in Menghai, Xishuangbanna, China

Scene around Cizong village. Cizong, located beside the Mekong River in China’s Yunnan Province, is best known for its old Catholic church and wine made from locally grown grapes. This portrait is of a Tibetan farmer who is quite proud of locally made wine.

Farmers at work near Dali, China.

Farmers at work near Dali, China.

Scene around Cizong village. Cizong, located beside the Mekong River in China’s Yunnan Province, is best known for its old Catholic church and wine made from locally grown grapes.

Catholic church located in the village of Cizhong. The church, built in 1867, was built by Jesuit missionaries and serves Tibetan, Naxi and Lisu ethnic minority groups.

Catholic church located in the village of Cizhong. The church, built in 1867, was built by Jesuit missionaries and serves Tibetan, Naxi and Lisu ethnic minority groups.

Catholic church located in the village of Cizhong. The church, built in 1867, was built by Jesuit missionaries and serves Tibetan, Naxi and Lisu ethnic minority groups.

Catholic church located in the village of Cizhong. The church, built in 1867, was built by Jesuit missionaries and serves Tibetan, Naxi and Lisu ethnic minority groups.

View of Cizhong, a small village located along the Mekong River and home to Tibetan, Naxi and Lisu people. The village is famous for its old Catholic church and the wine they make from locally grown grapes.

View of Cizhong, a small village located along the Mekong River and home to Tibetan, Naxi and Lisu people. The village is famous for its old Catholic church and the wine they make from locally grown grapes.

Horses graze in a wetland area near Shangri-La, China.

Farmers at work preparing for spring planting in the hills above Li Jiang in China’s Yunnan Province.

Stairs leading up to the Song Zhank Ling Monastery.

Tibetan prayer flags on a mountain top in Shangri-La, China.

Tibetan Buddhist symbols and prayers flays in Shangri-La.

Portrait of old guy surnamed He in his home in the village of Bai Sha located in the city of Li Jiang in China’s Yunnan Province.

Portrait of a musician in Li Jiang, China. The musician is a member of the Naxi ethnic minority group and performs traditional music with fellow musicians in the Li Jiang area.

View of Er Hai Lake in China’s Yunnan Province.

Scene in the village of Wei Bao Shan in China’s Yunnan Province.

Corn harvest.

Morning prayers along the banks of Lugu Lake.

Tibetan ethnic minority women enjoy a dance performance during a village celebration near Shangrila, China.

Tibetan man attending a horse racing event outside Shangrila, China.

Portrait of a Bai Etnic Chinese woman in Dali, China.

A Hani Ethnic Minority woman stands looking over a valley of rice terraces in Yuanyang.

Portrait of a Hani Ethnic Minority woman looking out over the Yuanyang rice terraces.

Yubeng Village, Meili Snow Village, Yunnan, China

A Naxi horseman at Wenhai Lake, Lijiang, China.

Tibetan villagers gain a higher perspective during a horse racing event outside of Shangrila, China.

Prayer flags, Shangrlla

Moonrise from Yubeng Village, Meili Snow Mountain, Yunnan Province, China

Ayu Zovet, 42, an Yi Ethnic Minority priest, known as a Bimou, performs a religeous prayer ceremony in his home.

Portrait of Ayu Zovet, 42, an Yi Ethnic Minority priest, known as a Bimou, outside his home.

Portrait of a young Yi ethnic minority woman in a village outside of Lijiang, China.

Portrait of a young Yi ethnic minority woman in a village outside of Lijiang, China.

Walking over the ancient Yujin Bridge outside the town of Shaxi, China.