Dan Chung in Tibet

A dark sky covers the Potala Palace in Lhasa – the former residence of the Dalai Lama until he fled to Dharamsala, India, following 1959's failed Tibetan uprising. It is now a museum Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Chinese soldiers stand by the flag on Potala Palace Plaza in Lhasa Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Worshippers walk through Barkhor square seen from the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Worshippers at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa – the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Tibetans Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Worshippers prostrate themselves outside the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

A worshipper praying at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

A Tibetan woman tries to sell necklaces to a passing tourist near the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Security forces patrol as worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Security forces look out over the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. CCTV cameras watch over much of the city Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

A monk walks through Barkhor square by the Jokhang Temple Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

A monk holds his hands in the air at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Monks chant at the Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. The monastery is the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas and a historic and culturally important monastery in the Tibetan Buddhist religion Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Monks light candles in front of a statue of Buddha at the Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

A Tibetan man sleeps in front of prayer flags on Simila mountain Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian