Gesar painted stone carvings, the Tibetan epic on stones

Gesar painted stone carvings are vivid and three-dimensional, integrating stone carving skills and traditional painting. Representing the epic history of the Tibetan hero, it is an innovation in the history of Tibetan arts and crafts. Tibetans have worshipped natural stones since ancient times, hence people engraved the legends of heroes on stones to pass their love and reverence to future generations. As it reflects the history of the social and cultural development of the Tibetan society in the Kham cultural region from multiple perspectives, it has been listed as a national intangible cultural heritage. Gesar painted stone carvings use natural slate and bluestone as raw materials, completed through processes such as composition, carving, and color painting. Currently, they are only preserved within the territories of Seda, Shiqu, and Danba counties in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The most representative ones are located in Puhu of Niduo Township in Seda County, Moska in Danba County, and Songge Mani Stone Scripture City in Shiqu County. Seda County was once the dwelling place of the Ling Kingdom's Changxi tribe and also the hometown of the famous Ling generals Nibengdar Yar and Abenbuyi Pandar, hence the accumulation of Gesar culture is very profound, earning it the reputation of 'Hometown of Gesar Art'.