A fresco in Qutan Monastery, some 100 kilometers away from downtown Xining, capital of southwest China's Qinghai Province. The Tibetan Buddhism monastery built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) is well-konwn for its fine frescoes. (Xinhua Photo)

Grass-covered Riyue Mountain near Qinghai Lake in southwest China's Qinghai Province.

The mountain, where Princess Wen Cheng had a rest on her way from Chang'an, capital of Tang Dynasty (618-907), to Lhasa over 1,300 years ago, is about one hour's drive from Xining, capital of Qinghai Province. Princess Wen Cheng was a daughter of Li Shimin, Emperor of Tang Dynasty, who married Tibetan King Songtsan Gambo in 641. She took with her large quantities of silk fabrics, handicrafts and farm tools to Tibet. Her statue is enshrined on the mountain now. (Xinhua Photo)

Ancient painted potteries are on display at Liuwan Pottery Museum in Liuwan Village, about 80 kilometers away from Xining, capital of southwest China's Qinghai Province on June 21, 2006. The village boasts over 2,000 ancient tombs dating back to the New Stone Age and the Bronze Age. Some 40,000 relics have been unearthed in the village, including over 20,000 painted potteries. (Xinhua Photo)

Editor: Wing