When the Forbidden Country was fi­nally opened to tourism, in 1983, cam­era-clicking foreigners naturally flocked to the sky-burial sites. For several sea­sons they were tolerated, but one day a party of particularly pushy voyeurs was stoned by some grieving relatives, and ever since then the sites have been off-limits, The burials still go on, how­ever, half a dozen a day in Greater Lhasa, my Tibetan guide was telling me as we looked up at the most popular site, behind the gilded pagodas of the Sera Monastery.

And is the thanatourism scene strong in Tibet? I’m politically hesistant about heading over despite the railway being open but would like some more information on specifically how much of an attraction the sky burials are. You cna contact me directly at my email provided. thanks!