Tibet Lhasa Guyi Construction Art Department

Tibet Lhasa Guyi Construction Art Department (拉萨市城关区古艺建筑美术公司), established on April 29, 2006, is a collective ownership enterprise based in Lhasa (拉萨), Tibet Autonomous Region. The company specializes in ancient architecture repairs, decorative arts, and the preservation of traditional craftsmanship. It holds a Class I qualification for ancient architecture and landscaping engineering, and has been involved in major heritage conservation projects such as the Potala Palace (布达拉宫) and Sakya Monastery (桑耶寺). As of 2021, the company’s total assets amounted to 60.13 million yuan.

In addition to its core business of architectural restoration, the company is dedicated to the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, with the Lhasa Mud Mask Craftsmanship (拉萨泥塑面具制作技艺) included in the regional heritage list since 2010.

Company Overview

  • Founded: April 29, 2006

  • Business Type: Collective ownership enterprise

  • Registered Capital: 20 million RMB

  • Legal Representative: Lhaba Tsiren (拉巴次仁)

  • Headquarters: No. 11, Qiacai Gang Road, Lhasa (拉萨市恰彩岗路11号)

  • Industry: Architectural decoration, construction, and other building services

Business Registration Information

  • Unified Social Credit Code: 91540100219667395M

  • Business Status: Active

  • Registration Number: 5401001000099

  • Business Scope: Specializes in ancient architecture engineering, house construction contracting, ethnic handicrafts, and property rental.

Company History

The company traces its origins to the 1980s, when a group of craftsmen specializing in the traditional Xueduobai (雪堆白) technique formed a Tibetan Ancient Architecture Team. It was officially registered as the current entity in 2006, with a registered capital of 20 million yuan. Over the years, the business expanded from focusing on architectural repairs to include the development and preservation of traditional Tibetan craftsmanship.

Core Business

1. Ancient Architecture Engineering

  • Specializing in Class I qualifications for ancient architecture projects, including repairs using traditional techniques like Bianma wall construction and Aga earth construction (边玛墙砌筑、阿嘎土打制).

  • Notable projects include the Potala Palace (布达拉宫) and Sakya Monastery (桑耶寺).

2. Handicraft Creation

  • Specializes in traditional Tibetan handicrafts such as metal copper forging, mud sculpture masks, and wood carving, all rooted in the Xueduobai (雪堆白) tradition.

3. Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection

  • Since 2010, the Lhasa Mud Mask Craftsmanship (拉萨泥塑面具制作技艺) has been listed as a regional intangible cultural heritage. The company maintains a dedicated craftsmanship research studio to ensure the continued preservation and development of traditional Tibetan arts.

Technical Inheritance

The company follows the principle of “repairing the old as it was” in all its projects. It innovates in mural restoration by using mineral pigments, developing over 10 kinds of traditional colors. In its metal forging, the company utilizes gold and silver copper alloys, restoring Tibetan Buddhist sculptures through techniques like manual gilding.

Major Projects

1. Heritage Conservation Projects

  • The company has participated in the restoration of several significant Tibetan heritage sites, including:

    • Potala Palace (布达拉宫)

    • Sakya Monastery (桑耶寺)

    • Jokhang Temple (大昭寺)

2. Zare Sangdan Qulinsi Temple Restoration

  • In April 2025, the company was selected as the third candidate for the restoration of Zare Sangdan Qulinsi Temple (扎热桑旦曲林寺), covering an area of 390.88 square meters, with a bid price of 1.7529 million yuan.

Organizational Structure

As of 2021, the company comprises several departments, including:

  • Civil Engineering Team

  • Art Group

  • Wood Processing Factory
    The company employs 16 staff members. During the 1980s, it had up to 760 employees, with 65% of them being technical experts.

Branches and Affiliates

In 2009, the company established Guyi Hotel, focusing on hospitality and catering services. However, it was deregistered in February 2025.

Tibet’s Architectural and Cultural Integration

Traditional and Modern Architectural Practices

Recent architectural projects in Tibet have combined traditional Tibetan craftsmanship with modern design principles. For example, the Jiakaxia Ancient Building Complex renovation, designed by hyperSity Architects, integrates traditional courtyard structures with modern functions. Similarly, the Tibet Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum (西藏非物质文化遗产博物馆) and the Thangka Art Museum (唐卡艺术博物馆), both of which opened in recent years, showcase the modern expressions of Tibetan cultural symbols through architecture.

Art Education and Cultural Preservation

The Art Design Department and Fine Arts Department of Tibet University (西藏大学) feature visual communication and Thangka painting works in their 2025 graduation exhibition. Students in the Thangka painting program combine traditional techniques with modern aesthetics, offering a new direction for Tibetan art innovation.

Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection and Community Involvement

Many schools in Lhasa (拉萨) offer courses on Tibetan Opera (藏戏), a UNESCO intangible heritage, ensuring that the younger generation actively participates in the preservation of this traditional art form. The involvement of local communities and government efforts are crucial in ensuring the living heritage of these art forms.