Mani stone piles can be seen every where in Tibet in mountain-passes and on river banks as shown in the following photos taken by Chinese photographer Xi Le.

Mani stone refers to the stones engraved with the six-syllable prayer word "om mani padme hum". Tibetans often describe one's loyal heart as firm as the invariant carvings on stones, which can be traced in the heroic stories of King Gesar where his foot-print and his horse's foot-print left in places of historical interest are revered by Tibetans.

Mani stones piles can be used as road signs, sacrifice to holy spirits, and tokens of worship and prayer, among which the later two meanings are still popular in Tibet and Tibetan inhabited areas.

Photo shows Mani stone piles on the bank of Lake Namtso (lake in sky), which is 240 km from Lhasa and has an elevation of 4718 meters. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Photo shows a Mani stone pile on the Tashi Peninsula of Lake Namtso, which is the biggest peninsula along the lake and know as the "peninsula of love". [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Photo shows a Mani stone pile on the bank of Laka Yamdrok Yumco, which is 100 km from Lhasa and is regarded as holy lake together with Lake Namtso and Lake Manasarovar. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Photo shows Mani stone pile on the Tachalhamo Mountain in Nagqu Prefecture. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Photo shows a Mani stone pile along Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet. [Photo/China Tibet Online]