A large amount of mural paintings from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) were discovered in a monastery in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Qinghai Province.

Experts say it's rare to see so many well-preserved mural paintings of the Ming Dynasty in such a remote and mountainous area.

The newly-discovered mural paintings were finished in the Range Monastery in Xiaosumang Town, Yushu County of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, according to Gama Tuga, director of local administration of cultural relics.

The Range Monastery was established in 1617 by Chaiqin Living Buddha, who belonged to the Karma Kargyu Sect of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

The grand sutra hall of the monastery built in the same year is a three-story building, 20 meters long, 18 meters wide, and 10 meters tall. On its walls were painted Buddhist stories, monk images and Gurus, and Dharmapalas of the Kargyu Sect.

The paintings cover an area of about 400 meters square, according to Gama Tuga. The flowing lines and bright colors are characteristic of religious paintings of early Ming Dynasty. Despite some natural and man-made damages, the main body of the Range Monastery and its paintings are in good condition.

These mural paintings are of great value for the research on traditional Tibetan culture and history of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Administration of Cultural Relics of Yushu Autonomous Prefecture has now set up a detailed record of the frescoes and other cultural relics in the Range Monastery and intensive research is underway.

(Xinhua News Agency March 25, 2009)