"Less studied than most areas in the country, Medog is not only a biodiversity hotspot, but also the real frontline of scientific discoveries," says Peking University biologist Wang Hao, using the term to denote a region with a marked reservoir of biodiversity that is threatened with destruction.

"The findings of our RAP survey of Medog will certainly shed new light on this enigmatic region."

Getting in

The way into Medog was laid with uncertainty.

When the team reached Nyingchi in mid May, the scientists were unable to launch their survey from the Duoxiongla site as planned -- the mountain pass was still impassable at 4,240 m above sea level due to heavy snowfall this winter.

The group instead headed for Bome. Six hours south of Nyingchi, the county town stood at the starting point of the 120-km Bome-Medog road.

Once at Bome, the biologists realized the road was not how they expected it to be. Faced with landslides and fallen trees, only four-wheel SUVs are able to reach Medog from Bome two or three months in a year.