Along the long pilgrimage road, they neither use any transportation vehicles, nor use their own feet Instead, they use their bodies, and prostrate themselves again and again.[Photo/fo.ifeng.com]

In southwest China's Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu provinces, and Tibet Autonomous Region, every year many pious believers pay homage to Buddha in Lhasa with money saved throughout their lives despite being tied down by family and other life obligations Bearing pious aspirations in their heart, they make their way pace by pace, clasping hands in prayer and prostrating themselves onto the ground, rain or shine.

They take meals and sleep outside, enduring hardships and traveling from dawn until dusk. They bring bedding,highland barley powder, butter, tea, portable stoves, pressure cookers, buckets for water and oil, ventilators, and flashlights. They never go to restaurants, depending on roadside spring water and working hard with both hands to make butter tea and delicious tasmba (roasted highland barley flour).

The worshippers are as full of vigor as they are full of grace, never tiring in the pursuit of their goals. Ranging from a few months to several years, they trek ceaselessly tothe heaven in their heart. When they finally get to Lhasa's Jokhang Temple, the destination for both their souls and faith, they leave behind their footprints, which mark their struggle against the nature. 

They use this method of pilgrimage to measure the land [Photo/fo.ifeng.com]

Pilgrims make their way up a snowy mountain.[Photo/fo.ifeng.com]

Wearing a full body Tibetan gown covered in mud, rubber skins tied around her knees, and both hands clasped to thick wooden planks. These clothes help to lessen the pain and stress on the body during the grueling journey.[Photo/fo.ifeng.com]

 Pious and fearless pilgrims use their bodies and souls to reach the nirvana and the holy land.[Photo/fo.ifeng.com]

Putting their palms together devoutly [Photo/fo.ifeng.com]

 Masses of pilgrims are seen everywhere along the road to Nyingchi City. Their palms putting together, their knees bent, prostrating themselves, piously advancing toward Lhasa as they knock their heads onto the ground. [Photo/Xinhua]

A pilgrim tapping her head on the road along the road to Nyingchi City. [Photo/Xinhua]

Two pilgrims performing the full-body kowtow pilgrimage on the highway in Nyingchi City. [Photo/Xinhua]

Several pilgrims performing the full-body kowtow pilgrimage on the road to Nyingchi City. [Photo/Xinhua]

Related links:

Image of Tibetan pilgrims: prostrations on endless road of reverence (I)

Image of Tibetan pilgrims: prostrations on endless road of reverence (II)