The Secrets of the Himalayas: An Illustrated Guide to Common Plants of Sejila Mountain has been recently published. The book was written by Prof. Yang Yongping of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), offering a vivid introduction to the distinctive plant life of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Featuring 111 common plant species found on Sejila Mountain, the book combines rich illustrations and text to systematically present the plants’ survival wisdom, morphological evolution, and beauty of color in the plateau’s distinctive habitats. It covers their discovery histories, adaptive mechanisms to alpine cold, reproductive strategies, and interspecies interactions. The content is based on the author’s years of field surveys, research, and scientific expedition records on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

With stunning images and a layout that incorporates Tibetan aesthetic elements, the book is both scientific and accessible, vividly showcasing the resilience of plateau plants.

Guided by the idea that “only through understanding can we truly love,” the book is expected to showcase the natural grandeur of the Himalayan region to the public, enhance public understanding of the biodiversity of Sejila Mountain and its surrounding areas.

Group photo at the book launch ceremony.

Cover of the book.

Inside pages of the book