Landmark for the Gyalrong Tibetans

Meanwhile, despite the advent of tourism and creeping modernity, the Tibetans continue to follow their own rules when it comes to their arrangement of furnishings and daily indoor activities.

Explaining their traditions, Motsai, a woman in her 60s weaving cloth in front of her house, says: "The village has become rich with tourism. But we are committed to our beliefs. Our doctrines require us to be honest and friendly to others. That's what business success needs as well."

For Tibetans living far from each other on the mountain, the local government helps them build houses and family inns at the foot of the mountain.

Yangrong village, a three-hour drive from Serku is one such a village comprising 42 Tibetan families.

It is located in forest near a river, and produces many kinds of mushroom, fruits and cattle products.

The village now has 500 beds for travelers.

Meanwhile, there are still some Tibetans residing in their old village of Shaji on the mountain.

Many of Shaji's 314 residents are descendants of the Tusi, or the ethnic minority who were appointed by the emperors as autonomous administrative heads.

The villagers attach great importance to protecting the environment and the buildings, because they still feel a sense of responsibility as Tusi is to protect the land, says Wang Xianzhang, the village Party chief.

"They feel proud of their ancestors and are very attached to the land," says Wang.

The village also contains a Qing Dynasty Tibetan general's tomb.

The general, who died defending the land against foreign invaders, is worshipped by villagers as a model and a patron saint.

In the massive earthquake in 2008, more than 20 structures collapsed in the remote village.

But as the villagers were away praying in a temple when the quake struck, and nobody was killed in the disaster, which claimed nearly 100,000 lives.