The Treasury of the Qaidam: Haixi Prefecture Museum and the Secrets of the Tuyuhun Kingdom

The Cultural Heart of the Golden World

1.Located in Delingha: City, the capital of the Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, the Haixi Prefecture Museum serves as the primary custodian of the history and culture of the vast Qaidam Basin. Often overshadowed by the dramatic natural landscapes of the region, this museum houses archaeological treasures that reveal a surprisingly cosmopolitan and prosperous past. The Qaidam Basin, known for its harsh "Three Original Colors" of yellow sand, white salt, and black Gobi, was once a vibrant hub on the ancient Silk Road and the center of the powerful Tuyuhun Kingdom. The museum offers a deep dive into this lost civilization, showcasing artifacts that demonstrate a unique blend of Chinese, Tibetan, and Central Asian influences found nowhere else on the plateau.

The Mystery of the Painted Coffins

One of the most spectacular and unique collections in the museum comes from the Guo Le Mu ancient tombs in Delingha. In 2002, archaeologists conducted a rescue excavation here and discovered wooden coffins adorned with exquisite painted boards. These "Coffin Board Paintings" are rare artistic masterpieces from the 8th century, depicting vivid scenes of hunting, banqueting, polo games, and daily life,. The paintings use a method where lines are drawn with ink and then filled with mineral colors, creating a style that is both distinct and puzzling to scholars. The identity of the tomb owners remains a subject of intense academic debate, with experts proposing they could be royals of the Tuyuhun, aristocrats of the Tubo (Tibetan empire), or even the Sumpa people,. These colorful illustrations provide a "picture scroll" of social life on the plateau over a thousand years ago, showing men in long robes and hats and women with intricate hairstyles,.

Treasures from the Silk Road

The museum also highlights the significance of Haixi as a vital node on the Silk Road, particularly the "Qinghai Road" which served as a crucial alternative route when the Hexi Corridor was blocked,. The collection features artifacts unearthed from the Dulan Ancient Tombs (Reshui Tombs), including magnificent gold and silver wares, agate beads, and, most notably, ancient silk fabrics. These textiles, often of Central Asian or Western Asian origin, feature patterns like the "Pearl Roundel" and motifs of lions and phoenixes, proving the extensive trade connections between the Qaidam Basin and the West,. The Gilded Silver Head Portrait and other metalworks display a craftsmanship that rivals the best of the era, reflecting the wealth accumulated by the Tuyuhun people through trade and their dominance over the region,.

The Legacy of the Tuyuhun

A significant portion of the museum is dedicated to the Tuyuhun Kingdom, a powerful regime established by the Murong branch of the Xianbei people who migrated from Northeast China to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau around the 4th century,. This kingdom lasted for 350 years, creating a unique culture that blended nomadic traditions with Chinese and Tibetan influences. The museum narrates the rise and fall of this "Kingdom on the Horseback," which bred the famous "Qinghai Steed" (Dragon Colt) and controlled the vital trade routes,. Through the display of weapons, horse gear, and royal artifacts, visitors can trace the history of this influential empire that once rivaled the Central Plains dynasties before eventually being absorbed by the rising Tubo Empire,.