Eye-Opening Photos Offer a Rare Glimpse of Everyday Life on a Tibetan Plateau

Giacomo Bruno Tibetan Plateau in Kham

With an emphasis on storytelling, portrait photographer Giacomo Bruno documents locations, populations, and individuals around the world. For a recent project, Bruno traveled to a plateau in Kham, a region in Tibet, to explore its breathtaking landscape and meet the people who call it home.

Each photograph in this striking series showcases an element of daily life on the Tibetan plateau. Located in China's Sichuan province and situated 4,000 meters above sea level, the area is known for the Ya Qing Monastery, a major site for Tibetan Buddhists. Though its location is seemingly remote and its elevation is practically sky-high, the Ya Qing Monastery is now the largest nunnery in the world, with great numbers of Buddhists living within walking distance.

Given the religious significance and geological prominence of this site, it is not surprising that most of the shots in Bruno's series feature monks and nuns of all ages praying, meditating, drinking tea, and socializing in and around the monastery. By depicting these intimate moments on the plateau, Bruno's photographs give viewers an eye-opening glimpse into the day-to-day life of its isolated inhabitants.

You can follow more of Bruno's jaw-dropping adventures on Instagram.

Giacomo Bruno captures striking shots of daily life on a Tibetan plateau in Kham.

Giacomo Bruno Tibetan Plateau in Kham

Giacomo Bruno Tibetan Plateau in Kham

Giacomo Bruno Tibetan Plateau in Kham

Giacomo Bruno Tibetan Plateau in Kham

Giacomo Bruno Tibetan Plateau in Kham

Giacomo Bruno Tibetan Plateau in Kham

Giacomo Bruno Tibetan Plateau in Kham

Giacomo Bruno Tibetan Plateau in Kham

Giacomo Bruno Tibetan Plateau in Kham

Giacomo Bruno Tibetan Plateau in Kham

Giacomo Bruno Tibetan Plateau in Kham

Giacomo Bruno Tibetan Plateau in Kham

Giacomo Bruno Tibetan Plateau in Kham

Giacomo Bruno Tibetan Plateau in Kham

Giacomo Bruno Tibetan Plateau in Kham

Giacomo Bruno Tibetan Plateau in Kham

Giacomo Bruno Tibetan Plateau in Kham

Giacomo Bruno Tibetan Plateau in Kham

Giacomo Bruno: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Behance

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Giacomo Bruno.

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Kelly Richman-Abdou

Kelly Richman-Abdou was a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. An art historian living in Paris, Kelly was born and raised in San Francisco and holds a BA in Art History from the University of San Francisco and an MA in Art and Museum Studies from Georgetown University. When she’s not writing, you can find Kelly wandering around Paris, whether she’s leading a tour (as a guide, she has been interviewed by BBC World News America and France 24) or simply taking a stroll with her husband and two tiny daughters.
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