Xiariha Stone Scripture Courtyard

　　Located about 20 kilometers northeast of the county town, in a place called Xiariha, there is a square stone scripture courtyard constructed from scripture stones. It stands 2 meters high, 1 meter wide, and has a perimeter of 320 meters. The total volume of the stone scripture wall is approximately 1,736 cubic meters, with about 488 cubic meters of stone slabs. It covers an area of 64.6 square meters. Engraved on these stone slabs are 7,108 volumes of the Tibetan "Kangyur" (one of the two main parts of the Tibetan Buddhist canon), 200 volumes of the "Damdu" (Liberation Sutra), 324 Buddha statues, and one central Deke'er Chöten (stupa). The courtyard faces south and is oriented to the north. The west wall is 86.4 meters long, with 62 niches on the outer side and 88 on the inner side; the north wall is 76.4 meters long, with 62 niches on the outer side and 54 on the inner side; the east wall is 80.4 meters long, with 58 niches on the outer side and 55 on the inner side; the south wall is 79.4 meters long, with 79 niches on the outer side and 50 on the inner side. In total, there are 243 niches on the outer side and 217 on the inner side, making a total of 640 niches. Each niche is 0.6 meters high, 0.7 meters wide, and 0.4 meters deep. A scripture recitation ceremony is held once a year during the fourth lunar month. One person from each household is required to attend. The ceremony involves 50 monks chanting scriptures while the public circumambulates the “Gora,” creating a spectacular scene.