The China-born, London-based photographer showcases her unique talents in the villages at high altitudes of Tibet showing the authentic everyday life of the Tibetans she is familiar with.

It’s not uncommon to look at the world of Tibet through the lens of a Western perspective that it is difficult to find artful depictions of the area created by artists who are of Asian descent. Liling Cui is here to make a difference, presenting an authentic, lived-in perception of Tibet through her gorgeous photography. It all began with a particular aspect of the area that caught Liling’s interest. “I have always been intrigued by the religious world as well as the art that comes of it” The photographer claims to It’s Wonderful That. “Before I began this project, I frequently traveled to Tibet and also studied Tibetan Buddhism for a while and was in the midst of Tibetan tradition.” In the end, it was during the time that Liling visited the home town of a friend’s home for a single summer in Tibet that the idea truly began to take shape. “Since there is an abbot in the local monastery who lives nearby, that was a good opportunity for me to take pictures of the monastic states within villages,” Liling recalls.

The village, called Tarshul is situated at an altitude of 4,520 m. It’s among the most awe-inspiring villages in China and offers an idyllic, if not tranquil backdrop to Liling’s pictures. “I have been twice within two months. Each time I stayed for more than two months. It was founded around 300 years ago, the time a monastic institution was established there,” Liling passionately explains. “Being in their presence gives me the feeling of being part of them however, this also hinders me from watching.”

For Liling she discovered that getting to know young people from the village was simpler than interacting with larger families. “Since they lead a solitary life and don’t meet with other people in their own village, they’re extremely timid,” she says. “I only take a few photos using my camera when we are together, which makes them feel like I’m simply taking pictures of family to share with them.” This worked beautifully in that Liling did her best to create photographs that aren’t unwelcome or detached however, they are inviting and a little curious. “Whether I’m an observer, a participant and/or both of them, I need to change my perspective to suit the situation, which is a problem for me.”

Incredibly, one of Liling’s favorite images from the project shows no one of the residents who reside in the village. The photo instead features a simple dark cow on the background as well as an open opening in the background. “The photograph appears quite modest,” she tells us. “Through the window, there is the open grassland that young people are unable to let go of, but simultaneously they are drawn to the newest trends in the world of social media.” This is what brings Liling to another image of hers, one of her best friend, a cousin from the family. “When I shot him in the summer of 2004, he was planning to become a monk this season,” she recalls. “Full of determination In the quick blink of an eye with no equipment, he climbed the highest rock wall to look at for the Eagle’s Nest hanging on the rock wall. I would describe him as an extremely typical young Tibetan who has a sun-kissed and smooth skin filled with confidence.”

What’s the main takeaway from this project? According to Liling, “it’s a good chance to showcase Westerners the reality of life of the people living in this tiny town made up of Tibetan people,” she says. “Minority cultural traditions are being destroyed by globalisation and mass culture all over the planet, so we should think about how we might support the local minority communities and preserve these cultures.”