Nyemo Thonpa: A Thousand-Year-Old Hometown of Tibetan Intangible Cultural Heritage
Located 120 kilometers west of Lhasa in Nyemo County's Thonpa Township, the Thonchu River, a tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, flows through the valley, nestling here in Nyemo Thonpa, known as the "Hometown of Tibetan Incense." As the birthplace of Tibetan incense and a national-level intangible cultural heritage cluster, it boasts millennia-old handicrafts, a unique watermill corridor, and stunning river valley scenery, making it a cultural haven near Lhasa.
The soul of Nyemo Thonpa lies in its Tibetan incense-making techniques. In the 7th century AD, Thonmi Sambhota, commissioned by Songtsen Gampo, created Tibetan incense, combining Indian incense-making techniques with Tibetan resources to pioneer the watermill incense-making method, a tradition that has been passed down for over 1300 years. Along the Tunqu River, 261 watermills form a 3-kilometer-long "watermill corridor." Cypress logs are ground into fine wood paste by water power, which is then mixed with over 30 kinds of medicinal herbs, including saffron and sandalwood. The mixture is then pressed into shape using ox horns and naturally dried, ultimately creating Tibetan incense, valued for both Buddhist offerings and medicinal purposes. This craft was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008 and remains a vital livelihood for local households.
Tibetan papermaking is equally remarkable. Using wolfsbane (a type of poisonous plant) grown at altitudes above 4500 meters as raw material, the paper undergoes multiple processes including peeling, pulping, and drying. Due to the inherent toxicity of the raw material, Tibetan paper is insect-resistant, durable, and a crucial medium for the transmission of Tibetan documents. Visitors can experience the papermaking process firsthand in the workshops and appreciate the wisdom of this ancient craft.
Nature and culture blend perfectly here. The banks of the Tunqu River are lined with verdant mountains, and over a hundred acres of flowers bloom in summer, with wildflowers, lavender, and Tibetan-style houses creating a picturesque scene. Strolling along the wooden boardwalk, you can see the watermills creaking in the breeze, the air filled with the fragrance of cypress and medicinal herbs, and occasionally glimpse villagers drying Tibetan incense in their courtyards—a blend of rustic charm and ancient tranquility.
Today, Nyemo Thonpa is both a living museum of intangible cultural heritage and a secluded haven for relaxation. Visitors can participate in incense making and papermaking experiences, sample Tibetan delicacies such as butter tea and milk curd, and enjoy the Guozhuang dance in the traditional courtyards. Here, there is no excessive commercial hustle and bustle, only the accumulation of millennia-old craftsmanship and the serenity of the valley, allowing every visitor to understand the profound heritage and enduring power of Tibetan culture amidst the fragrant aromas.