The Cultural Relics Bureau of Xizang Autonomous Region announced recently that since the launch of field surveys for the Fourth National Cultural Relics Census, the Lhasa census team has completed the re-investigation of previously recorded sites and the identification of new discoveries across all seven counties and districts under Lhasa's jurisdiction. Following standardized procedures and verification criteria, 82 newly identified sites have been officially recognized as additions to the national cultural relics registry.

The newly documented sites include 20 ancient buildings, 8 ancient tombs, 14 ancient cultural sites, 24 cave temples and stone carvings, 12 modern historical landmarks and representative structures, and 4 other types of sites. Geographically, these sites are distributed as follows: Chengguan District (20 sites), Nyemo County (12 sites), Lhunzhub County (13 sites), Damxung County (9 sites), Doilungdeqen District (11 sites), Quxu County (7 sites), and Dagze District (10 sites).

Among the notable discoveries is the Wenjiangduo Ruins in Tsena Village of Quxu County. This site served as an important administrative and religious center during the Tubo period and later became a significant religious site in the Ü-Tsang region during the Later Diffusion Period. The discovery of numerous glazed bricks and tiles from the Tibetan Empire period, along with a stone stele base featuring a tortoise pedestal and traditional Chinese hip-and-gable roof design, provides clear evidence of extensive material and cultural exchanges between the heartland of the Tibetan Plateau and the Tang Dynasty's central plains, as well as surrounding regions. These findings offer valuable materials for studying the multi-ethnic exchanges, interactions, and integration along the South Asian corridor of the Silk Road since the 7th century CE, while also providing historical evidence for the formation and development of the pluralistic unity of the Chinese nation.

Reporter: Zhao Lang, Changdren, Pema Tseden

Translator: Liu Fang, Zhi Xinghua

Review: Hu Rongguo, Drakpa Wangchen