茶馬古道

媲美絲綢之路的滇藏茶馬古道，是古代馬幫與藏人以茶易馬的重要的商貿驛道。隨著公路相繼落成，古道和馬幫在50年代後便漸漸煙沒於歷史中。早前四川一班由少數民族組成的馬幫，親身仿效祖先再踏古道，帶著99匹馬到拉薩見証青藏鐵路的開通。他們走過懸崖峭壁的怒江天險、踏進被草地掩蓋的沼澤、又攀上白雪皚皚的白馬雪山和穿越盛產桃花鹽的鹽井，過程驚險萬分。



馬鍋頭除了舉步維艱，更要克服高原反應、惡劣天氣和種種突發事故。然而，古道壯麗如畫的風景、飄揚的七彩經幡、磕長頭朝聖的僧侶和天犬藏獒都令旅程別具韻味，目不暇給的影象充滿感染力。



本片紀錄了這次出死入生的旅程，揭開古道神秘的面紗，並展示馬幫失落的傳統及沿途各村獨特的風土民情。

As historical as the Silk Road, the Ancient Tea Road, stretching over 4,000 km in China, used to be an important commercial passage for trading tea, salt and other commodities. However the once prosperous road has become deserted with the quick pace of modernization since the 1950s. Against the breathtaking scenery of the mysterious Qingzang Plateau, tea merchant Zhao Baochang organized a huge caravan composed of 99 horses and 55 herdsmen, retraced the footsteps of their ancestors and revisited this ancient pathway. During the months of travel from Yunnan to Lhasa, they have to brave the challenge of harsh weather, altitude sickness and experience life and death. As the memorable journey draws to an end at the eve of the opening of the Qingzang Railway, the ancient pathway along with hooves beats and clear bells also fade away.