Eastern Tibet is the cradle of Tibetan culture. Here, in Kham and Amdo, an intense exchange with neighboring regions took place as early as Neolithic times, while archaeological finds from tombs related to Hellenistic, Iranian, Sogdian, and Chinese societies testify to the cultural richness of the area in those later periods. In the first millennium of our era, Eastern Tibet reached international relevance, as three branches of the trade network called the Silk Roads passed through its borders. Since the 9th century, Eastern Tibet has also been a religious center, as seen by the Amdo roots of present XIVth Dalai Lama. The holistic life philosophy of the people of Eastern Tibet is shaped by the region's innate spiritual environment, its vast and undefiled landscapes, and its precious cultural treasures. Illustrated with more than 250 extraordinary color photographs, this is the first study dedicated solely to the culture of Eastern Tibet. It fills an important gap, not the least because more Tibetans live in Kham and Amdo than in the so-called Tibetan Autonomous Region designated by the Peoples Republic of China. The thoroughly researched text is the result of field-work conducted by both authors over a period of several years, and the brilliant and inspiring images feature people, landscapes, and cultural objects often documented for the first time.

Without an understanding of this important region, any perception of Tibetan culture remains fragmentary.