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Yarlung Tsampo River

The Yarlung Tsampo River is the highest major river in the world. It is in a valley on the north edge of the Himalayas. This valley is the cradle of Tibetan civilization. The first people in Tibet settled here, Buddhism from India took hold here and the first king 's castle was along this river. Most of Tibet's arable land is in this valley.
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  • Yarlung Tsampo River near Samye ferry crossing.

    Yarlung Tsampo River near Samye ferry crossing.

  • Yarlung Valley. The valley is narrow, leaving little land for cultivation.

    Yarlung Valley. The valley is narrow, leaving little land for cultivation.

  • Prayer flags overlooking Yarlung River.

    Prayer flags overlooking Yarlung River.

  • Ferry boats at Samye Crossing, highway(south) side of Yarlung. Note prayer flags on one of the boats.

    Ferry boats at Samye Crossing, highway(south) side of Yarlung. Note prayer flags on one of the boats.

  • Two cycle engine with fan belt driving propeller mechanism on ferry.

    Two cycle engine with fan belt driving propeller mechanism on ferry.

  • Ferry crossing the Yarlung Tsampo river.

    Ferry crossing the Yarlung Tsampo river.

  • Approaching Samye landing on monastery (north) side of Yarlung.

    Approaching Samye landing on monastery (north) side of Yarlung.

  • Gangplank being deployed to load passengers and goods on ferry at Samye landing.

    Gangplank being deployed to load passengers and goods on ferry at Samye landing.

  • Pushing the loaded ferry away from the Samye landing.

    Pushing the loaded ferry away from the Samye landing.

  • Sand piles on mountains along Yarlung river, near Samye.

    Sand piles on mountains along Yarlung river, near Samye.

  • Tibetans loading goods on ferry.

    Tibetans loading goods on ferry.

  • Yarlung Tsampo River near Samye landing. Note large sandbar.

    Yarlung Tsampo River near Samye landing. Note large sandbar.

  • Small Tibetan boy inspecting goods on ferry.

    Small Tibetan boy inspecting goods on ferry.

  • Sand piles on the mountain near the river.

    Sand piles on the mountain near the river.

  • Tibetan boy, mother and grandmother on the ferry on the Yarlung.

    Tibetan boy, mother and grandmother on the ferry on the Yarlung.

  • Yarlung Tsampo River near Samye crossing.

    Yarlung Tsampo River near Samye crossing.

  • Tibetans loading people, goods on ferry.

    Tibetans loading people, goods on ferry.

  • Mountains, small village on north shore of Yarlung.

    Mountains, small village on north shore of Yarlung.

  • Tibetan mother with small boy on ferry.

    Tibetan mother with small boy on ferry.

  • Mountains with sand piles along Yarlung.

    Mountains with sand piles along Yarlung.

  • Small Tibetan boy enjoying apple with mother on ferry.

    Small Tibetan boy enjoying apple with mother on ferry.

  • Yarlung Tsampo river and mountains.

    Yarlung Tsampo river and mountains.

  • The sun is warm and it's a long ride....

    The sun is warm and it's a long ride....

  • Yarlung Tsampo river with snow-capped mountains in background.

    Yarlung Tsampo river with snow-capped mountains in background.

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    Pushing the loaded ferry away from the Samye landing.
    Sand piles on mountains along Yarlung river, near Samye.
    Tibetans loading goods on ferry.