Lo Manthang, Oct. 31 -- Phuntchok Gurung grew up inside the inner alleys of Lo Manthang, in the walled capital of the ancient Kingdom of Lo. As he was growing up, and learning to be a Buddhist monk at the Jhampa monastery in remote Lo Manthang, Gurung soon found a new hobby-photography.

Lo Manthang was restricted for tourists until 1992, and the opening of the area saw a large number of visitors thronging to the once mystical valley. With them, tourists brought along their favourite equipment-their cameras, and it was something that aroused Gurung's curiosity. He often wondered why were these strangers taking photos of the people, mountains and villages, and what did they do with those photos.

"I was utterly intrigued by the whole proce...