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Digs have also revealed remnants of ancient Buddhist monasteries and stupas.

In the following years, he conducted a series of excavations at the site that revealed some of the most fascinating finds: ancient Buddhist stupas, coins, seals, pots and microliths.

He has also designed an artificial spring in the shape of an ice stupa - a hemispherical structure common in Buddhist cultures - that stores downstream water for use during late spring when farmers need water.

"I want to use ice stupas as much to sensitise the world about the need for a change in behaviour, as I want to use it to provide water for us."

Kardze prefecture in Sichuan is a land of craggy mountains, rushing rivers, grazing black-haired yak and glittering pagodas and stupas.