23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Path Towards the Sacred

Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, known as the "Little Potala Palace" and one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist sites in the Kham region, stands as a spiritual fortress. In this context, a local farmer is captured walking from the secular field toward the monastery. Her action embodies the direct permeation of daily labor and spiritual purpose.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 10.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Shangrila, China
Camera: ILCE-7C
Copyright: © Chenjing Zhang