Larema Slate Tibetan Village

Larema Slate Tibetan Village

Larema Slate Tibetan Village is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Larema Slate Tibetan Village is located in Larema Zazong Village. The origins of the Tibetan village are unclear, but in the highland pastoral region, it’s no wonder Tibetan nomads chose to settle here — a flat area surrounded by mountains on three sides, with lush grasslands and towering sacred mountains. Once they made this choice, they could never bear to leave. Today, nearly 200 herding households live here. One can imagine that many years ago, faced with the harsh climate of the plateau and tired of a nomadic life of constant movement, the herders longed for a peaceful haven. So, they built a settlement here. But lacking building materials and with the local soil unsuitable for making tiles, they resorted to quarrying slate to build their homes — a choice born out of necessity, yet one that inadvertently created their unique architectural style.

Many places in the Tibetan region have houses built with slate, but few have such a concentrated and unified collection as in Larema. Slate shelters the Larema herders from wind and rain throughout their lives. The ruggedness and firmness of the slate have shaped the bravery and boldness of the men, while the vibrant warmth of the grasslands has nurtured the gentleness and diligence of the women. Over centuries, slate has gradually been elevated in the hearts of the herders, revered almost like a divine spirit glowing with spiritual light, enshrined within their lives and amid the sea-like flower fields of the grasslands. Today, the countless slate stupas, exquisitely carved slate Buddha statues, and heartfelt devotions in Larema all bear witness to the local herders’ centuries-long reverence for slate.

As time passes, the ancient slate Tibetan village by the Zazong River continues to shelter the enduring Tibetan people. Year after year, it is now regaining vitality and moving toward the future, with broad streets illuminated by bright lights, convenient transportation connecting the herders with the outside world, and fast communication linking their hearts to every corner of the globe. Yet beneath the grey-blue slate lies a modern and well-lived life.

Protected Area: With the perimeter edge of the Zazong Monastery’s main hall as the baseline, extending 800 meters east, 1000 meters south, 500 meters west, and 1000 meters north.

Construction Control Zone: Extending 100 meters east, 500 meters south, 50 meters west, and 500 meters north from the protected area.

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units