Tibetan People

Approximately 150,000 Tibetan people reside in Yunnan Province, primarily in Shangri-La (Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture) and Deqen County in the northwest. These regions feature high-altitude plateaus, snow-capped mountains, and deep gorges where Tibetan culture has flourished for centuries. Tibetan Buddhism is the cornerstone of life in these communities, with magnificent monasteries serving as spiritual and cultural centers. Songzanlin Monastery in Shangri-La, built in 1679, is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan and is often called the 'Little Potala Palace' due to its architectural grandeur. Yunnan Tibetans maintain traditional highland pastoral lifestyles, raising yaks and sheep on vast grasslands. Yak products including meat, milk, butter, and wool are central to Tibetan life. Butter tea (po cha) and tsampa (roasted barley flour) are dietary staples. Tibetan craftsmanship includes thangka painting (Buddhist scroll paintings), intricate metalwork, woodcarving, and traditional textile arts. Thangka paintings serve both religious and artistic purposes, depicting Buddhist deities, mandalas, and spiritual narratives in vivid detail. Horse racing and archery are important cultural traditions, with annual festivals showcasing these skills. The Tibetan calendar, based on lunar cycles, guides religious observances and agricultural activities.