Freedom is a word with limited meaning for the citizens of Tibet, China. The religious region is highly guarded and patrolled by police with the government paying close attention to the citizens to make sure every law is followed to the ladder.

Even monks are more monitored in their monasteries.

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A monk in his early 30's from Sichuan, a neighboring province, shared that they are not free. 

"To get into Tibet from another province you need a certificate with your name, address and identity card number," he explained. "Everything has to be stamped by the monastery, the Bureau of Religious Affairs and the police."

Despite the fact that the region is currently at a calm state, the authority is still taking no risk following the deadly demonstrations held in 2008 against Han Chinese.

Kate Saunders of the US-based NGO International Campaign for Tibet noted that faith is symbolic in the region.

"Faith is an integral element of Tibetan identity and nationalism and is therefore perceived as a potential threat to the authority of the Chinese state," she explained.

A staunch supporter of the Tibet citizens, Saunders has been constantly pointing out that the Chinese government has allegedly been exploiting their resources.

Accordingly, the Tibetans argued that authorities have weakened their faith and culture so as to exercise new leadership.

Barkhor, a road near the temple that pilgrims pay respect by walking in a clockwise direction, displayed little Chinese flags on the building's floor, as the Tibet citizens are still under constant watch.

Tagschina, Tibet, Tibet 2008 demonstration, Tibet Citizens Under Watch