Tibetan Specialties: Caterpillar Fungus, Rugs, Dried Yak Meat, Tibetan Incense, Thangka

Located in the southwestern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Tibet is known as the “Roof of the World” with an average altitude of more than 4,000 meters. It boasts a vast area, rich resources, and splendid culture. That’s why Tibet can become one of the most desired destinations for people from all over the world. Tibet can not only offer majestic natural scenery, but also show tourists its culture and resources with those specialties. If you want to know more about Tibetan specialties and plan to purchase some to mark your Tibet tours, you can get detailed information from the content below.  

Caterpillar Fungus

Known as "Winter Insect and Summer Grass", caterpillar fungus is a traditional precious Chinese medicinal material. It can regulate the immune system, and it is anti-tumor and anti-fatigue. Caterpillar fungus in Nagqu enjoys a good reputation because of the high altitude and cold weather in Nagqu. It is a special medicinal material because it is a worm in winter but it will grow to grass in winter. You want to bring some home, you’d better ask for help from your Tibet travel guide or go to regular pharmaceutical companies.

Caterpillar Fungus

Tibetan rugs

The weaving process of Tibetan rugs enjoys a history of more than 600 years. With is unique weaving, piercing, and knotting method, as well as its color patterns with rich ethnic characteristics, Tibetan rugs are honored as "Three Famous Rugs" in the world along with Persian rugs and oriental art rugs. It is famous for its unique appearance, rich colors, and strong ethnic style. There are three types of Tibetan rugs. One is woven with yak wool yarn and wool thread with a brighter appearance. It feels very soft. The second one is made from fine sheep wool with a simple and plain appearance. The third one is the card pad. Tourists can purchase one if they like because they are very beautiful.

Tibetan rugs

Dried Yak Meat

Tibetan yaks mainly live at places with an altitude of more than 4,000 meters above sea level. Its nutritional value is ten times than ordinary beef with characteristics of high protein, low fat, low calorie, and rich in various amino acids. It tastes much better than other meat. In Tibet, fresh yak meat will be stewed, stir-fried, braised, and so on. But it will be mostly cooked as beef jerky. Yak meat jerky will be the best beef jerky that you’ve ever tried. The cooking methods may vary from place to place in Tibet. But tourists will never forget its flavor.

Tibetan Incense

Tibetan incense is commonly used for Buddhist sacrificial ceremonies, while someone will be used in personal houses to drive bad luck away. When you first walk into a Tibetan monastery, you will notice that there are mixed smells of yak butter and smells of various Tibetan medicinal materials, which allow all tourists to feel the mystery and solemnity of those monasteries. People use Tibetan incense to make pilgrimages and ward off evil spirits as they believe Tibetan incense is a medium for people and the Buddha. The production process contains the essence of Tibetan culture with saffron, snow lotus, musk, and other main ingredients. Besides, Tibetan incense can be used as normal perfumes on clothes and used as a medicine that can tranquilize intelligence, prevent influenza, calm panic, sterilize, and disinfect.

Tibetan Incense

Matsutake

Nyingchi matsutake is the most famous Tibetan specialty and it is also a product of China's National Geographical Indication. Matsutake in Nyingchi is rare and precious because of its thick flesh, rich aroma, excellent flavor, and rich nutritional value. And the superior geographical and ecological environment makes Nyingchi the best place for matsutake to grow without any pollution.

Matsutake

Tibetan Thangka Paintings

Thangka refers to religious scroll paintings that are mounted on colored satin and hung for worship. It is a unique painting art form in Tibetan culture, involving many fields such as Tibetan history, politics, culture, social life, and so on. It is made from natural raw materials, including gold, silver, pearls, agate, coral, saffron, rhubarb, and blue indigo, which can make sure that its bright colors will not fade away after centuries.

Tibetan Thangka Paintings

Tibetan Daggers

Tibetan dagger is a necessary tool for Tibetan people. And it enjoys a high reputation all over the world because of its beautiful appearance and unique handicraft. Those exquisite Tibetan daggers are mostly hand-made by skilled craftsmen. They are forged delicately, engraved carefully with eye-catching colors. The Tibetan script on the daggers and the colorful fringes make them the unique Tibetan handicrafts. But if you are going to purchase a dagger to get home, please make sure they can be taken with you when boarding the train or the plane.

Tibetan Daggers

Tibetan Dzi

Tibetan Dzi is known as a kind of rare jewelry that conveys mysterious legends, which gives it financial value. Actually, it is a nine-eye shale containing components of jade and agate, which is mainly produced in Tibet, Eastern Tibetan, and Ladakh regions. Tourists need to pay more attention when they are purchasing dzi in Lhasa’s streets.

Tibetan Dzi