Dong Lei / White eared-pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon) two in front of Buddhist prayer flags, Sichuan Province, China, July.

Kirkendall-Spring / Prayer flags covering the side of Kuendeying Bazzam Bridge over the Wang Chhu in Thimphu. Bhutan, October 2014.

Dong Lei / White-browed Rosefinch (Carpodacus thura) with Tibetan prayer flags featuring the 'wind horse'. Pamuling mountain, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China,

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Mount Annapurna I (8091m) from base camp, with hikers and prayer flags silhouetted, Annapurna Sanctuary, central Nepal, November 2011.

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Climber on Kala Pattar peak (5545m) with Buddhist prayer flags at sunset. Sagarmatha National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site, Khumbu/Everest Region, Nepal, Himalaya. October 2011. Winner of Mountain...

Bernard Castelein / Buddhist monk playing the Lawah (long trumpet) during afternoon pudja, Tso Kar, Ladakh, India, June 2010

Bernard Castelein / Prayer flags, Poonhill, Ghorepani, Annapurna region, Nepal.

Ingo Arndt / Traditional wooden prayer pillars with flags. Olkhon Island, Buryat Region, Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russia. February 2019.

Dong Lei / Sauromatum diversifolium flower with prayer flags in the background, Mt Qomolangma National Park, Qinghai Tibet Plateau, China.

Dong Lei / Large-billed crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) in front of prayer flags, Mt Qomolangma National Park, Qinghai Tibet Plateau, China.

Dong Lei / Prayer flags and mountain landscape, Mt Qomolangma National Park, Qinghai Tibet Plateau, China.

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Mag-Dhog Yolmowa Monastery, Darjeeling, surrounded by buddhist prayer flags. West Bengal, India, October.

Jed Weingarten / Wild Wonders of China / Snow covered mountain landscape and prayer flags, Serxu County, Garze Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China.

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Buddhist prayer flags in Yaapola Valley, Wanla Monastery, Zanskar, Ladakh, India, September 2018.

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Buddhist prayer flags in Polo Kongka La at 4970 meters altitude, Chantang Wildlife Sanctuar, Ladakh, India, September 2018.

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Pangong Tso, mountain lake at 4250 meters altitude, with prayer flags, Chantang Wildlife Sanctuary. Tibet plateau. Ladakh, ,India, September 2018.

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Monk with at Thikshey monastery with prayer flags, at 3260 meters of altitude, Ladakh, India, September 2018.

Staffan Widstrand / Wild Wonders of China / Buddhist Prayer flags, the pilgrimage route around Meili Snow Mountain, 6740 m, a Sacred mountain for Tibetan Buddhists, yet unclimbed, Yunnan, China, October 2017.

Staffan Widstrand / Wild Wonders of China / Buddhist Prayer flags, the pilgrimage route around Meili Snow Mountain, 6740 m, a Sacred mountain for Tibetan Buddhists, yet unclimbed, Yunnan, China, October 2017.

Staffan Widstrand / Wild Wonders of China / Buddhist prayer flags along the pilgrimage route around Meili Snow Mountain, 6740 m, a Sacred mountain for Tibetan Buddhists, as yet unclimbed, at the waterfall near Yubeng, Yunnan, China, October 20...

Staffan Widstrand / Wild Wonders of China / Prayer wheels and flags at the the local Buddhist temple, Lower Yubeng village, Meili Snow Mountain , National park, Yunnan, China, October 2017.

Staffan Widstrand / Wild Wonders of China / Tibetan woman in front of Buddhist Prayer flags on the pilgrimage route around Meili Snow Mountain , 6740 m, a Sacred mountain for Tibetan Buddhists, Yunnan, China, October 2017.

Ashley Cooper / The Boudanath Stupa, is one of the holiest Buddist sites in Kathmandu, Nepal, December 2012.

Michel Roggo / Prayer flags in Zechawa Village, Jiuzhaigou National Park, Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sichuan, China. May 2013 . Photographed for The Freshwater P...

Staffan Widstrand / Wild Wonders of China / Lama Buddhist temple in Wenquan town, Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai, China

Staffan Widstrand / Wild Wonders of China / Gompas at Lama Buddhist temple in Wenquan town, Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai, China

Dong Lei / Prayer flags, Mount Kawakarpo, Meili Snow Mountain National Park, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Yunnan Province, China. November 2009

Dong Lei / Lung ta prayer flags attached to small cairn,Mount Kawakarpo, Meili Snow Mountain National Park, Yunnan Province, China. October 2009

Dong Lei / Prayer flags attatched to cairn, Mount Kawakarpo, Meili Snow Mountain National Park, Yunnan Province, China. October 2009

Dong Lei / Lung ta prayer flags, Mount Kawakarpo, Meili Snow Mountain National Park, Yunnan Province, China. October 2009

Dong Lei / Lung ta prayer flags, Mount Kawakarpo, Meili Snow Mountain National Park, Yunnan Province, China. October 2009

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Buddhist prayer flags, Ganden Sumtseling Monastery .Shangri-La (Zhongdian) Yunnan, China.

Dong Lei / Snow pigeon (Columba leuconota) and Darchor style prayer flags, Basongcuo National Park, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Tibet, China.

Dong Lei / Meconopsis flower (Meconopsis sp), on slope with prayer flags in the valley below. Segrila Pass, Mount Namjagbarwa, Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon National Park, Tibet, China.

Dong Lei / Meconopsis poppy (Meconopsis sp) with prayer flags behind, Segrila Pass, Mount Namjagbarwa, Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon National Park, Tibet, China.

Dong Lei / Black iris (Iris chrysographes) in front of prayer flag, Mount Namjagbarwa, Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon National Park, Tibet, China.

Dong Lei / Prayer flags at shrine with Tormas, sculptures made with Tsampa and Yak Butter, Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon National Park, Nyingchi Prefecture, Tibet, China. October.

Dong Lei / Prayer flags at shrine with Tormas, sculptures made with Tsampa and Yak Butter, with Mount Gyala Peri and Mount Jialabaili, Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon National Park, Nyingchi Prefecture, Tibet, Chi...

Dong Lei / Buddhist prayer flags surrounding colourful building, Serxu, Shiqu county, Sichuan Province, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China.

Dong Lei / White eared-pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon) group foraging around prayer flags, Sichuan Province, China, July.

Ernie Janes / Shops and prayer flags around Bodnath,the largest stupa in Nepal, Durbar Square, Kathmandu, Nepal. November 2014.

Dong Lei / Tattered prayer flags in snow covered landscape with grey clouds, Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province, China. April 2010.

Dong Lei / Lady Amhersts pheasant (Chrysolophus amherstiae) female walking on track with Buddhist prayer flags, Kawakarpo Mountain, Meri Snow Mountain National Park, Yunnan Province, China. May.

Dong Lei / Prayer flags and mountain landscape, Kawakarpo Mountain, Meri Snow Mountain National Park, Yunnan Province, China. May 2010.

Dong Lei / Temple in evening light, with prayer flags, reflected in Lantsang. Mekong river, Kawakarpo Mountain, Meri Snow Mountain National Park, Yunnan Province, China. January 2010.

Kirkendall-Spring / Prayer flags at Bhonte La Pass (16,00 ft) the high point of the Jhomolhari Trek. Bhutan, October 2014.

Kirkendall-Spring / Prayer flags and hikers below at 16043 feet (4,380m) Bhonte La pass along the Jhomolhari Trek. Bhutan, October 2014.

Kirkendall-Spring / Prayer flags with a view of Jhomolhari 1, Jhomolhari 2 and Jichu Drakye from the false summit on the way to Bhonte La Pass, Jhomolhari Trek. Bhutan, October 2014.

Kirkendall-Spring / Hiker walking on bridge across Paro River at the village of Sharna Zampa, Jhomolhari Trek. Bhutan, October 2014. Model released.

Kirkendall-Spring / Hikers crossing the Paro River on the Jhomolhari Trek. Bhutan, October 2014. Model released.

Kirkendall-Spring / Prayer flags covering the side of Kuendeying Bazzam Bridge over the Wang Chhu, Thimphu. Bhutan, October 2014.

Kirkendall-Spring / Prayer flags on hill above the city of Thimphu. Bhutan, October 2014.

Kirkendall-Spring / Chainlink bridge, built by Drupthob Thangtong Gyalpo during the 1400's. Paro River, Bhutan, October 2014.

Dong Lei / Building with traditional architecture and prayer flags Kawakarpo Mountain, Meri Snow Mountain National Park, Yunnan Province, China.

Dong Lei / Colourful Tibetan prayer flags featuring the 'wind horse', Kawakarpo Mountain, Meri Snow Mountain National Park, Yunnan Province, China.

Olga Kamenskaya / Prayer flags / scarves on the shore of Lake Baikal, Pribaikalsky National Park, Siberia, Russia, September 2013.

Olga Kamenskaya / Prayer flags / scarves on the shore of Lake Baikal, Pribaikalsky National Park, Siberia, Russia, September 2013.

Olga Kamenskaya / Prayer flags / scarves tied to tree, Pribaikalsky National Park, Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russia, September 2013.

Olga Kamenskaya / Prayer flags / scarves tied to trees, Pribaikalsky National Park, Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russia, September 2013.

Dong Lei / Prayer flags over a Holy Mountain, Mount Qomolangma National Park, Dingjie County, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Tibet, China, Asia May 2013.

Dong Lei / Barkam town, with prayer flags. Capital of Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Sichuan Province, China, Asia

Dong Lei / Prayer flag on banner, Holy Mountain, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Tibet, China, Asia

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Mount Annapurna I (8091m) from base camp, with hiker and prayer flags silhouetted, Annapurna Sanctuary, central Nepal, November 2011.

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Mount Annapurna I (8091m) from base camp, with hikers and prayer flags silhouetted, Annapurna Sanctuary, central Nepal, November 2011.

Staffan Widstrand / Wild Wonders of China / Yapaya Pass,and Buddhist snow / prayer flags, Baima Snow mountain, Yunnan province, China, April 2011

Ben Lascelles / Prayer flags left on slopes, with view to the South East down the Karnali River Valley from the Nara Lagna pass (4580m / 15,026ft) on the Nepal / Tibet border, Humla, Nepal, June 2010

Ben Lascelles / Domestic yak (Bos grunniens) carrying supplies at the Drolma La (18,000ft) highest point on the Mount Kailash Parikrama, Mount Kailash, Tibet. June 2010

Ben Lascelles / Buddhist prayer flags outside window frame at Tsaparang (sometimes known as the mythical Shangri-la) was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Guge in the Garuda Valley, Ngari Prefecture, Western Tibe...

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Prayer flags at memorial in Khumbu Valley, Sagarmatha National Park (World Heritage UNESCO). Khumbu / Everest Region, Nepal, Himalaya, October 2011.

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Buddhist prayer flags in front of Mount Everest shrouded in mist, from Kala Pattar (5545 m). Sagarmatha National Park (World Heritage UNESCO). Khumbu / Everest Region, Nepal, Himalaya, October 2011.

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Prayer flags at Pumori Peak (7145 m) seen from Kala Pattar (5545 m), Sagarmatha National Park (World Heritage UNESCO). Khumbu / Everest Region, Nepal, Himalaya, October 2011.

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Prayer flags hung over river, Sagarmatha National Park (World Heritage UNESCO). Khumbu / Everest Region, Nepal, Himalaya, October 2011.

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Prayer flags on Cho La Pass (5.420 m), Sagarmatha National Park (World Heritage UNESCO). Khumbu / Everest Region, Nepal, Himalaya, October 2011.

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Prayer flags across Changri Shar Glacier from Kala Pattar (5545m), Sagarmatha National Park (World Heritage UNESCO). Khumbu / Everest Region, Nepal, Himalaya, October 2011.

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / A domestic yak on a suspension bridge over the Dudh Kosi river, with prayer flags on either side, Sagarmatha National Park (World Heritage UNESCO). Khumbu / Everest Region, Nepal, Himalaya, October 20...

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Buddhist prayer flags at high altitude in the Larkya La (5.106m) in snow, Manaslu Conservation Area, Himalayas, Nepal, October 2009.

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Samagaon buddhist monastery (3.530m). Manaslu Conservation Area, Himalayas, Nepal, October 2009.

David Woodfall / Organiser of community allotment with prayer flags as crop scarer on site of former football pitch -Vetch field - Swansea, Wales, UK, June 2012. Editorial use only

Ian McCarthy / Alpine / Yellow billed chough {Pyrrhocorax graculus} flying around bhuddist prayer flag, Dolpo, Nepal

Gertrud & Helmut Denzau / Head of dead snow leopard near old prayer flags. Ladakh, NE India

Bernard Castelein / Buddhist prayer flags, near Kechopari Lake, Sikkim, India October 2007

Bernard Castelein / Women using prayer wheel in Tashiding Monastery beside prayer flags, Sikkim, India October 2007

Bernard Castelein / Buddhist prayer flags, near Kechopari Lake, Sikkim, India October 2007

Bernard Castelein / Buddhist prayer flags, Kalimpong, West Bengal, India October 2007

Bernard Castelein / Buddhist prayer flags, Kalimpong, West Bengal, India October 2007

Bernard Castelein / Mountains to the east seen at sunrise from Tiger hill viewpoint, with prayer flags in the foreground, Darjeeling, West Bengel, India October 2007

George Chan / Prayer Flags beside a mountain pass north of Lhasa, Tibet, December 2006

Gavin Maxwell / Himalayan snowcock (Tetraogallus tibetanus) with prayer flags and mountains in the background. Xiongse nunnery, Tibet, 2007

Gavin Maxwell / Tibetan Monk and prayer flags, with Mount Kailash in the background, Tibet

Gavin Maxwell / Pilgrim / Monk and prayer flags at Joklang Temple, Lhasa, Tibet 2007

Gavin Maxwell / Pilgrim / Monk and prayer flags at Jokhang Temple, Lhasa, Tibet 2007

Gavin Maxwell / Prayer Flags and people at the Xiongse nunnery, Tibet 2007

Gavin Maxwell / Prayer Flags and people at the Xiongse nunnery, Tibet 2007

Gavin Maxwell / Prayer flags at the Saga Dawa festival, with Mount Kailash in the background, Tibet

Gavin Maxwell / Stone pile and prayer flags at Yamdrok Lake, Tibet 2007

Gavin Maxwell / Prayer Flags at the Xiongse nunnery, Tibet 2007