For over two decades, Wuhan Textile University professor Niu Xue has embarked on an annual pilgrimage to document the evolving cultural landscape of Tibet. The 48-year-old innovation and design scholar has dedicated approximately 600 days across 21 years to capturing the region’s authentic moments through his lens, despite battling recurring altitude sickness during his extended stays.
Niu’s photographic archive reveals a rich tapestry of Tibetan life—from farmers transporting goods on traditional wooden carts to the emerging cycling culture along Highway 318, and newlyweds celebrating before the iconic Potala Palace. His work transcends mere academic interest, representing what he describes as a profound spiritual connection to the land and its people.
Among his most compelling subjects is Drolkar, a resident of Yumai township whose family has safeguarded remote border areas through pastoral traditions for 32 years. Niu first documented Drolkar in 2018, capturing her crafting butter and cheese with her daughter in their summer pasture dwelling. Subsequent visits in 2023 and 2025 revealed both the passage of time and continuity of tradition, as he photographed her using slingshots to manage livestock and recorded multi-generational family activities.
The professor recently involved his students in this documentary project, believing that visual elements—specific frames, colors, and contextual details—combine to create emotional narratives that communicate deeper cultural understandings. Through his ongoing work, Niu bridges the geographical and cultural distance between central China and Tibet, bringing authentic Tibetan experiences into his Wuhan classroom while preserving vanishing aspects of traditional life.