The first international expo of Tibetan Thangka opened Saturday in Xining, capital of northwest China's Qinghai Province, showing the traditional Tibetan painting and other intangible cultural heritage to the public.

Thangka, or scroll painting, is a unique art of Tibetan culture, which is usually painted on linen cloth or cotton fabric and mounted by scroll of brocade. It is a mark of Tibetan people's devotion to Buddhism and often serves as an object of worship at home.

Thangka was put on the first list of China's Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2006.

The event, namely "the First Qinghai International Thangka Arts and Cultural Heritage Expo", will last five days beginning on the morning of China's third National Cultural Heritage Day. Hundreds of government officials, Thangka painters, artists, lamas and visitors attended the opening ceremony in the Exhibition Center in south Xining.

"Universally acclaimed as a fantastic flower on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau as well as a magnificent pearl shining in China's arts treasury, the Thangka arts is celebrated both at home and abroad for its full-bodied ethnic characteristics and unique style," said Song Xiuyan, governor of Qinghai Province, in a speech.

"We hope this expo would provide a new platform to show our ethnic cultures like Thangka, better protecting these cultural heritages and promoting cultural industry and tourism in Qinghai," she said.

The organizers set up five exhibition areas in the center, including areas for peasants' painting and other national-level intangible cultural heritages like barbola. But the classic Thangka attracted most visitors.

Visitors can also enjoy the best Thangka paintings from India, Nepal and Myanmar, where Buddhism has a large influence. They can also watch the slow and meticulous process of Thangka painting.

The 22-year-old Cering Zhaxi was gingerly coloring a portrait of Buddha. Half a dozen people surrounded him, staring at his wiry brush. "I've seen many exquisite Thangka works, but it's the first time for me to watch artist painting it," said local resident Zhang Xiaoning.

"It's very fortunate for us to have such arts treasure in Qinghai," said Zhang.

More and more Tibetans in Qinghai have learned the craftsmanship of this cultural heritage. According to Master Xihedao, in recent years the overall painting level has been improved.

Not only a religious painting for worship Thangka is, it has become underpinning of a thriving cultural industry in Qinghai.

"Almost everyone in our village paints Thangka and makes a living on it," said Sanggyeka, head of Lower Wutun Villagers' Committee, "One can earn 80,000 to 90,000 yuan (about 11,580 to 13,030 US dollar) annually on average." That's a small fortune in northwest China.

Lower Wutun is one of the four major Thangka villages in Tongren County, which has a long history and tradition of Thangka painting. About 3,000 ethnic Tibetan and Tu people paint Thangka in the county. Tongren is called "Rekong" in Tibetan language, meaning "golden valley".

(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2008)