At around 4,500 meters above sea level, Nagqu’s grasslands are as harsh as they are majestic. Here, yak dung isn’t just fuel—it’s the canvas and clay of a new art movement.
In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Xizang Autonomous Region, local herders have crafted elaborate sculptures and vivid paintings from dried yak dung. What normally warms stoves and cookfires has been transformed into towering installations that dot the plateau, blending creativity with centuries of nomadic tradition.
“This art is a tribute straight from the heart of the plateau,” say the herders, who see their work as a homage to their ancestors and the land they steward. Each sculpture—shaped by hand—echoes the deep bond between people, animals and the earth, while the paintings burst with colors inspired by dawns over the Himalayas.
For young global citizens and digital nomads, the Nagqu installations offer more than a cultural snapshot—they’re a lesson in sustainable innovation. By repurposing yak dung, herders are breathing new life into an age-old resource, showcasing how local ingenuity can spark fresh perspectives on art, ecology and community.
Whether you’re an art lover, a sustainability advocate or a traveler chasing unique experiences, the yak dung art of Nagqu invites you to witness tradition reinvented atop one of the world’s highest plateaus.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
