Kangxung Village, Shigatse, southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, is known as “the village of butter sculpture”. In recent years, Kangxung Village has striven to develop traditional handicraft of butter sculpture. At present, the number of people who can make butter sculptures has reached more than 300, with an annual output value of 3 million yuan RMB. Butter sculpture originated from Tibet and was introduced to the Tar Monastery, also known as Kumbum Monastery, in the early 17th century. Many monasteries in China make butter sculptures, but those of Tar excel in technique and scale. The development of butter sculpture acts as not only an industry but also a kind of cultural heritage. With more people's attention, it is hoped that the beautiful flowers of butter sculpture will melt people's hearts, rather than melt away. 

Photo shows that butter sculpture skills competition is underway at Kangxung Village in order to improve handicraftsmen’s manual skills.[Photo/Wang Jie]