Tibetannet

Namkha-gyel, known as the “divine painter” or “decorator of the sky”among Tibetans, was a Tibetan thangka art painting master in the 17th century. According to legend, he was able to magically depict Sakyamuni Buddha and sixteen bhiksu (Buddhist monks) on only half side of a pea. Namkha-gyel’s birthplace, Trango (Luhuo County), was awarded the title of “Hometown of Chinese Folk Art—Thangka Town” by the Ministry of Culture in 2008.

Luhuo County attaches great importance to the inheritance and protection of this intangible cultural heritage and strongly supports the development of the thangka industry. Thangka works are sold to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and even exported to overseas markets in the United States and United Kingdom, which vigorously promotes the development of the thangka industry, spreads, and passes down this outstanding part of traditional Tibetan culture.