Tibet Calling

101 East travels to an isolated outpost of Tibetan culture in Nepal that is at risk of losing its unique way of life.

It is Tenzin Choegyal's dream to visit Tibet. It has been about 40 years since the world-renowned musician last laid eyes on his homeland. He was just a young boy when his parents carried him across the border to Nepal as Chinese forces established control.

As part of their journey to their new lives in Australia he and his parents sought sanctuary in the ancient kingdom of Upper Mustang, Nepal. Cut off from the outside world, the influx of Tibetan refugees recreated a slice of their culture in this isolated safe haven.

Their colourful culture and practices have endured and thrived, with much of Mustang like a time capsule of how Tibet was before China invaded.

But now a new road is being built which will link the Nepalese towns of Jomsom and Lo Manthang. With traders and all manner of Western goods expected to flow in, the road offers the impoverished people of Mustang a chance to pull themselves out of poverty.