Thangka, a gem of Tibetan culture, is a Buddhist painting that typically visualizes deities on canvas, cotton or silk with pigments extracted from ore. Dating back to the Tibetan Tubo Kingdom around 1,200 years ago, the sacred art of such religious painting has been passed down the generations.

Although the art form has evolved over the years into several schools of painting, Tibetan Thangka artists, by rigorously adhering to the traditional guidelines, continue to draw the roadmap to enlightenment. Divine beings, treasure vase, lotus flower … all the elements are brought to life with the strokes of fine brushes. Join CGTN reporter Yang Xinmeng for an introduction to Tibetan Thangka painting and explore the region through art.