Nyingchi Culture

Nyingchi Culture introduces how many minorities in Nyingchi including the information of ethnic people, ethnic cuisine, rituals, folk culture, religions, festivals, customs, habits, etc. As one of the important destinations in the classical Tibet Travel, Nyingchi is home to more than ten ethnic groups such as Tibetan, Han, Hui, Nu, Monpa, Lhoba, Dulong Naxi, Tujia, Lisu, and the Deng people who have not yet determined the ethnic composition. The total population is 231,000, of which the Tibetan population accounts for  more than 90% of the total population. Except for Medog County, the residents of the other 6 counties are mainly Tibetans. Nyingchi Culture is very colorful. When you come to the mysterious Nyingchi, it is easy to find Tibetan architecture everywhere and listen to the Tibetan language said by Tibetan people and feel the Tibet culture.

History of Nyingchi

Nyingchi is a place, where is full of mysteries, such as the mysterious ethnic groups. In ancient time, Nyingchi City is dated back to 5000 years ago with discovered human remains and graves belonging to the Neolithic age. According to the related researches, human beings had a slash and burn agriculture as well as the fishery by the river at that time. Concerning to the recorded history of Nyingchi, it is in the inscriptions on precipices located nearby the Yongzhongzeng Village. Though caved 1200 years ago, these scripts are still distinct describing the legend about the first head of the Yanaon Tribe, who had moved from Bome and commenced his leading career of the Yanaon tribe on the holy mountain of Kongpo. From the 13th century, Nyingchi was in the sphere of influence of the Karma Kargyu, Tibetan Buddhism. It was the habitation of Monpa people and Lhoba People, which reserve rich traditions of their characteristic habits and customs.

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Religion Culture

As a carrier of Buddhist culture, the temples and monasteries have far-reaching influence on the political, economic, educational, living and custom aspects of China. Through the temples and monasteries, we can see the vast history of Tibet, the splendid architecture, the extraordinary artistic achievements and the different traditional education. In the Tibetan area, from the south to the north, from the east to the west, from the city to the village, the temple is indispensable. The following is a list of some representative temples in Nyingchi.

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Nyingchi Architecture Culture

Architecture in Nyingchi is a wonderful reflection of its culture. Nyingchi Architecture is influenced by its geography, climate, culture, Tibetan Buddhism, etc. In the pastoral area, the tent is generally used, and the tent is woven with the yak knitting wool and is decorated with the traditional pattern. The tent is not only beautiful designed, but also keeps out wind and rain, warm in winter and cool in summer, removed conveniently, deeply loved by the herdsmen. The house in the agricultural area is mostly civil structure, usually two layers, and the lower layer is provided with sundries, and the upper part is the living room, the kitchen, the bedroom and grain depot, and the herbage and the grain are aired on the balcony. This kind of house also has three and four layers.When you are in Nyingchi, you will see prayer flags on the roof of the houses in Nyingchi. What's more, the most scientifically and aesthetically valuable Nyingchi architecture is Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and palaces, such as Tsozong Gongba Monastery, Zili Monastery, Parchode Monastery.

Nyingchi Cuisine Culture

When you are in Nyingchi, it will be another chance that you can have yummy dishes and tasty food. Apart from food that can also be found in any other areas of Tibet, such as dried beef, barley wine, zanba, buttered tea, some specialties of ethnic groups are also available. Take Lopa minority for example. Their wine is divided into two kinds, millet wine and distilled spirit; their meal is made from maize pulp, rice, vegetables, peppers, barbeque and so forth. By conventions, the meal is allotted by hostess on a per head basis. Generally speaking, people eat in a bamboo container with their hands. Moreover, the most distinctive food is roasted rats, which is used to treat the distinguished guests.

Ethnic Festivals in Nyingchi

Most of the Tibetan festivals on the Tibet Plateau are deeply influenced by Buddhism or rich ancestral culture. During the festivals, all the people wear traditional costume and perform different traditional dances and ritual activities. Festival is the best way to experience the diverse culture and tradition of the local and their ethnic affinity. Various Tibetan festivals are celebrated in different ways in Nyingchi. It is suggested to visit Nyingchi during the festivals and enjoy the lively scenes with the local Tibetan people if time is free. Except for Tibetan New Year Festival, other festivals like Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival, Azalea Tourist Festival are fun and attractive as well.

Folk Culture

Lhoba Folk Customs

Lhoba tribe is made up by the Mi Xinba, Mi Cuba and Da E'mu tribes, altogether up to the amount of more than 20 tribes, living in the Grand Canyon area. According to records, "Lhoba" originates from the habitual name of the Tibetan people living in the Luo Yu area, which means "Southerners". Lhoba is an ancient nation with many exotic customs: reproductive worship, drinking wine with roasted rat meat, mysterious witch "Wu Yong", the Millennium ban, and marriage and funeral customs, such as Water burial, Celestial burial and Tree burial. What's more, Costumes of Lhoba Ethnic Minority is another highlight of Lhoba people.

Menba Wedding

 Monba people live in the southeastern part of Tibet, it is a place called "door corner". Menyu is located in the southern slope of the eastern section of the Himalayas, which has mild climate, lush green trees, shed waterfalls, rivers and lakes and flowers throughout all the year. It is a spring city. When Menba people hold wedding, the man not only sent a special hand, but also hold the welcoming ceremony three times to meet the bride and the guests. This is the distinctive speciality "power Qiangsong" , that is "three course wine to meet bride." If the "three wine" are successfully passed, the wedding is expected to be successful. They also have the custom of changing clothes, drink the "East Qiang" wine and sing the "Auspicious Song".

Important Etiquette

  • Offering Hada is one of the most formal manner for Tibetan people. In some occasions, such as wedding and funeral, folk festivals, visiting elders, Buddha worship, welcoming guests, etc. Tibetan people usually offer Hada. Offering Hada is to show purity, sincerity and loyalty.
  • Kowtow is a devout worship ceremony among believers in areas where Tibetan Buddhism prevails.
  • When visiting Tibetan family, the host will toast, generally highland barley wine. Guests enter the house to sit down, housewives or their offspring will pour buttered tea, but guests do not have to take it on their own until the host hold it for you.

Traditional Costume

The national dress of Tibetan people is the skirt robe, a long-sleeved loose coat worn by both men and women. The men wear a shorter version with pants underneath. The skirt robe is often made over-sized to accommodate the Tibetan way of living. When tied around the waist by a belt or sash, the upper part of a skirt robe turns into a huge pocket for carrying things, from personal items to small livestock and even a baby. When it is hot in the daytime, Tibetans undress the right arms to disperse heat. If it is even hotter, then one may undress both arms and tie the sleeves around the waist. The garments of the Tibetan costume can be made of brocade, silk, embroidered silk, satin, jacquard, leather, animal skin, wool and cotton.

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Ethnic Groups in Nyingchi

Nyingchi is home to more than ten ethnic groups such as Tibetan, Han, Hui, Nu, Monba, Lhoba, Dulong Naxi, Tujia, Lisu, and the Deng people who have not yet determined the ethnic composition. The total population is 231,000, of which the Tibetan population accounts for  more than 90% of the total population. Except for Medog County, the residents of the other 6 counties are mainly Tibetans.

Traditional Ethnic Village in Nyingchi

The traditional ethnic villages usually have the well-preserved ethnic traditions, so they can be best choice for your Culture Tours in Nyingchi. Traveling to the traditional ethnic villages, you can explore the most authentic ethnic traditions which can't be seen anywhere else. The traditional ethnic villages in Nyingchi are listed below for your reference.

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Intangible Cultural Heritages and Its Inheritors in Nyingchi

Rich and diverse ethnic culture is the source of the intangible cultural heritages in Nyingchi. Nyingchi has some intangible cultural heritages with strong Tibetan characteristics, including Mina Qiangmu Dance. Every intangible cultural heritage has its inheritors, who play a vital role in the promotion and inheritance of culture.

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Culture Tours Including Nyingchi

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