Passing through the country road of Mangtso Village, Lhunze County, Shannan City, Tibet Autonomous Region, Dawa Gyaltsen, a sheepherder, drives flocks of sheep to the mountain to look for forage every day. As the only sheepherder of the village, he has been herding sheep over the past 13 years.

In the morning, golden rays of the sun pierce the cloud, touch the village and awaken the villagers from their sweet dreams. (Photo/ China Tibet News)

Dawa Gyaltsen, 57 years old, is the sheepherder of Mangtso Village. He manages over 700 sheep in the village, and receives a monthly income of about 600 yuan. (Photo/ China Tibet News)

Since he picked up the whip, 13 years have past. Exposing to the weather, his dark-colored face has been reddened by the wind and sunshine. In the mountain valley, “Zhanian” (a string instrument) and flocks of sheep are his best companions. However, as he has suffered from rheumatic disease in recent years, he could not play “Zhanian” just like before. (Photo/ China Tibet News)

Usually, as children are in school, only the couple live at home. “I am in poor health, and cannot do the heavy work. I earn a living by herding sheep,” said Dawa Gyaltsen. After the last drag of the cigarette, he will set off. (Photo/ China Tibet News)

To relieve the burden of his wife, he feeds the livestock at home before he sets off. (Photo/ China Tibet News)

His wife puts tsampa and a bottle of beer in the bag and helps him carry the backpack. (Photo/ China Tibet News)

As Dawa Gyaltsen opens the doors of sheep pens one by one, the sheep swarm out. When all the sheep come out from the pen, he leaves the door. (Photo/ China Tibet News)

He walks in front of the sheep. His wife follows behind, seeing them off. (Photo/ China Tibet News)

With the sonorous baaing, flocks of sheep march forward to the deep mountain like troops. (Photo/ China Tibet News)

He waves the sling in the air. The stone touches the ground, making a snapping sound, but never hits the sheep. (Photo/ China Tibet News)

At the village entrance, he can still see his wife, who comes to see him off. He responds to his wife and takes care of the sheep, so as to prevent them from running about. (Photo/ China Tibet News)

Dawa Gyaltsen drives the sheep to the mountain slope. (Photo/ China Tibet News)

There is a seabuckthorn forest on the way from the village to where Dawa Gyaltsen herds the sheep. He lights up a cigarette and takes a rest. (Photo/ China Tibet News)

After finishing the cigarette, he continues the journey. During the year, Dawa Gyaltsen spends most of his time with the sheep. (Photo/ China Tibet News)

Sometimes, he needs to go into the seabuckthorn forest to look for the sheep wandering off. (Photo/ China Tibet News)

This is the only water source on the way to the mountain. Dawa Gyaltsen removes the things in the ditch, thus to provide clean water to the sheep. (Photo/ China Tibet News)

The adorable sheep is thirsty and drinks water from the ditch. (Photo/ China Tibet News)

The sheep pass through the forest, and Dawa Gyaltsen stands behind them, watching them in a distance. (Photo/ China Tibet News)

Dawa Gyaltsen waves the sling, driving the lamb which has run way to return to the flock. (Photo/ China Tibet News)

As the sheep climb on the slope, they get nearer to the herding site. Dawa Gyaltsen could finally catch his breath. (Photo/ China Tibet News)

Faraway behind the seabuchthorn forest lies the home of Dawa Gyaltsen. His wife has gone to the farmland to do her work. (Photo/ China Tibet News)