Regong thangka art evolves amid cultural fusion at Yellow River's source

These days, Fan Qingji has been exceptionally busy. With the arrival of another harvest season, the villages across Tongren in the Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Northwest China's Qinghai Province are bustling with activity.

- By Ji Yuqiao and Sun Langchen

As the crops ripen, people don the traditional attire of the Tibetan ethnic group, adorn themselves with jewelry, gather in the village courtyards, beat hand drums, and perform ritual dances to rhythmic drumbeats.

Having lived here to learn thangka art for 14 years, Fan has integrated well into the vibrant atmosphere of the plateau's grand "Regong June Festival." As an artist specializing in thangka works that are usually painted on cotton or silk, he is now adept at meticulously painting thangka motifs onto the villagers' hand drums, contributing his artistry to the joyful celebrations.

In the high valleys of southern Qinghai, the Longwu River rushes from south to north, cutting through mountains and gorges before joining the Yellow River. The Longwu River, a tributary of China's "Mother River," has long nourished the communities along its banks. This region is called "Regong," which in Tibetan means "golden valley," and is the birthplace of the rich artistic tradition known as Regong art. Among its many forms from murals and embroidery to sculpture thangka painting stands out, revered both for its spiritual significance and artistic complexity.

While the art of Regong thangka originated at the source of the Yellow River, Fan hails from East China's Shandong Province, where the Yellow River meets the sea. Tracing the river upstream, Fan arrived in Tongren in 2011. He was instantly captivated by the rich and vibrant artistry of thangka painting, and decided to put down roots here. Day after day, he practiced outlining, tracing, and coloring, absorbing the essence of Regong thangka art.

Fan said that the Yellow River cultural genes flowing in his veins is continually merging with the centuries-old tradition of Regong thangka in culture of Tibetan ethnic group, providing a deep wellspring of inspiration and support for his artistic journey.