Recently, Chinese archeologists have found eight sites of cliff paintings in the Tongtian River Basin in northwest China's Qinghai Province. The cliff paintings are scattered along the river in the source region of the Yangtze River in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai.
The newly-discovered cliff paintings can be dated back to 2,600 years ago. The cliff paintings include humans, vehicles, animals and symbols images. According to Jamyang Nyima, the head of research institute of history and culture in Yushu, the findings will help the researchers study the human history, art, culture and religion for the ancient Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Up to now, archaeologists have already discovered 59 sites of 3,400 cliff paintings along the Tongtian River. Qinghai Province locates at the Three-River Source Region where the Yangtze River, Yellow River and Lantsang River originate. Qinghai has the largest inland saltwater lake in China - Qinghai Lake, which is also the largest natural fish base in northwest China. It has plentiful minerals and forest resources, where is also an area with colorful Tibetan culture.