Red Turk's-cap lily, Binglingsi (Yellow River, Gansu)

Ref: 070624-1675     Date: 24-06-2007

A Red Turk's-cap lily is growing out of the cliff at Binglingsi (Yellow River, Gansu). This plant could have been either self-sown or wild. Binglingsi was an important Buddhist centre on the Silk Road, connecting the Tibetan Empire with Han China. Natural and manmade caves, caverns and cliff faces on the north bank of the Yellow River are illustrated with wall paintings, sculptures and inscriptions.