Wutun Village



Along the Yellow River to the southeast of Qinghai Province, Tongren County is reputed as the "Home of
Tibetan Culture and Art". Tongren, also called "Regong" in Tibetan, is where the art form sprang up along
with the rise of Lamaism and the construction of lamaseries, mainly reflecting the Tibetan Buddhist
culture. By the mid-17th century, Regong had become a village where nearly everyone could paint, and
every family was engaged in the art. The people of Regong handed down the art from generation to
generation, and now almost everyone there is an artisan.

Tongren County has five villages under its administration, where Wutun Village is most famous for its
Regong art. In Wutun alone, there are more than 100 Tibetan families of artists. Drawing on the Dunhuang
arts, Tibetan painting, garze (in Sichuan) woodcarving and Tibetan folk art, the families have formed their
own particular style.

Their works cover a wide range from color paintings, sculptures, designs, butter flowers, embroidery, brick and stone carvings and architectural
decorations. Apart from murals, Wutun artists are also known for their Thangka -making and woodcarving. The skillful application of gold powder,
cinnabar and azurite gives their paintings a strong decorative effect.

Thangka are visual expressions of the philosophy and psychology of Buddhism, painted on cotton or linen canvases that may be rolled up when
not on display. They often depict of scriptures and scenes from the lives of saints and great masters.

Wutun Villages in Tongren County is regarded as home of the thangka. It is, to all intents and purposes, an art institute
for local residents wishing to study and perfect this iconic art form; 90 percent of male Wutun residents are Regong
artists. Such is Wutun's Thangka fame that the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Tar'er Lamasery all order their
Thangka from Wutun.