The Epic Canvas of the High Plateau: Exploring the Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum

A Gateway to Plateau Wisdom

1.Located in the Biological Park District of: Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province, the Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum is the only comprehensive professional museum in the world dedicated to Tibetan medicine and culture. Situated at an altitude of approximately 2,260 meters, it serves as a vital repository for the scientific and spiritual heritage of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The museum offers a profound journey through the evolution of Tibetan civilization, connecting the ancient Silk Road and Tang-Bo Ancient Road history with the living traditions of the plateau people.

The World's Longest Thangka Masterpiece

The crowning jewel of the museum is the "Great View of Chinese Tibetan Cultural Art," a monumental Thangka painting that measures 618 meters in length. This masterpiece holds a Guinness World Record and is considered a "living encyclopedia" of Tibetan culture. It took hundreds of master artisans years to complete, utilizing natural mineral pigments like gold, silver, and coral to depict Tibetan history, medical knowledge, religion, and landscapes in exquisite detail. Walking along this vibrant scroll provides an immersive narrative of the "Highland Aesthetics" that define the region.

Exploration of Tibetan Medicine and Science

The museum is divided into eight thematic exhibition halls, including the Tibetan Medicine History Hall, Mantang Instruments Hall, and the Tibetan Medicine Specimen Hall. These exhibits house over 20,000 artifacts, ranging from ancient medical texts and surgical tools to thousands of plateau botanical specimens. Visitors can learn about the unique Tibetan medical system, which blends empirical science with spiritual philosophy, and explore the Astronomy and Astrology Hall, which showcases the plateau's ancient understanding of the cosmos.

A Sanctuary of Art and Calligraphy

Beyond medicine, the museum celebrates the diverse artistic expressions of the Amdo and Regong regions. The Tibetan Calligraphy Hall and the Tibetan Folk Customs Hall provide insight into the daily lives, architectural styles, and linguistic beauty of the plateau's inhabitants. From the intricate geometry of mandalas to the rugged utility of nomadic tools, the museum provides a complete context for the cultural resilience and creative spirit found throughout Sanjiangyuan and the surrounding highlands.