320 



TIIK XATIOXAL CKOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



Photograph by Dr. A. L. Shelton 



YAK CROSSING THE MEKONG RIVER ON THE BRIDGE AT CHIAMDO 



Throughout the whole region of western China and eastern Tibet, bridges are few and 

 primitive, the suspension type, ranging all the way from single ropes to heavy structures, 

 being most popular (see illustration, page 302). 



process, but must apply a rather heavy- 

 coat of pure gold. Because of this, the 

 prices are high. 



THE BUDDHIST BIBEE IS A IO8-V0EUME 

 WORK 



At Litang, about a hundred miles to 

 the east of Batang, where there is a large 

 lamasery, and in the lamasery of Derge, 

 about 200 miles above Batang, in the 

 Yangtze Valley, the printing of religious 

 books is an industry of importance. 



The Kanjur, which is the Buddhist 

 Bible, and the Tanjur, its commentary, 

 each comprising 108 volumes, are printed 

 at the two lamaseries from blocks on 

 which characters are carved. The blocks 

 occupy many large rooms and the print- 

 ing of one set requires the work of many 

 men for many days. 



In Litang, until recently, there was a 

 copy of the Tanjur which was written out 

 by hand in gold and silver. The paper 

 had first been lacquered with Chinese ink. 



