Tucked away in the picturesque Yading village of Southwest China’s Sichuan Province, a new cultural landmark is taking shape. The Shambhala Cultural Museum is not just another museum; once completed, it is expected to claim the title of the world’s highest-altitude cultural museum. With a projected opening date by the end of September, the museum promises to be a noteworthy addition to the region’s cultural and architectural legacy.
Wang Guiqian, the project manager of China Construction Eighth Engineering Division (CCEED), announced with pride that the museum’s main structure had been topped off recently. Standing tall at an altitude of nearly 3,900 meters, the Shambhala Cultural Museum is set to eclipse the Xizang Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum in Southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region by an impressive 150 meters in altitude.
The architectural design of the museum is a tribute to Tibetan culture. Its shape takes inspiration from the Shankha or the conch shell, one of Tibetan Buddhism’s eight auspicious symbols. Beyond its symbolic resonance, the design harmoniously blends with the museum’s surrounding environment. One side of the structure seems to organically rise from the ground, aligning seamlessly with the contours of the neighboring mountains and forests. In contrast, on the other side, a tranquil pool mirrors the majestic beauty of the snow-clad mountain peaks.
Yuan Hao, Party secretary of CCEED’s Yading Village Project, highlighted the cultural significance of the Shankha-inspired design. Situated in Daocheng county within the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, the choice of this design carries profound meaning. In Tibetan culture, the Shankha stands as a symbol of blessings and beauty.
Despite its grandeur, the timeline for the museum’s construction is remarkably short. With the foundation laid on April 25, the entire project is set to be wrapped up in just 150 days. Spanning three floors, the museum boasts a height of 17.4 meters and offers nearly 3,000 square meters of floor space.
However, such a rapid pace of construction at such high altitudes hasn’t been without its challenges. Yuan shared some of the unique hurdles faced by the construction team. Given the elevated location, safeguarding the health of the workers has been a top priority. This has necessitated rigorous health screenings, daily health tracking, and ready availability of altitude sickness medications. Furthermore, as the museum sits within the national-level Yading Nature Reserve, maintaining top-notch fire safety standards has been critical.
By early August, 83 cultural artifacts were earmarked for display in the museum. Of these, 58 have already been secured, with efforts underway to procure the remaining 25, as shared by the Daocheng Cultural Broadcasting Television and Tourism Bureau.
The Shambhala Cultural Museum is more than just a building. It’s a testament to the broader vision of preserving and rejuvenating Yading village. The overarching initiative involves restoring traditional Tibetan edifices, revising village layouts, upgrading infrastructures, and revitalizing landscapes, ensuring that Yading’s cultural and natural heritage shines brighter than ever.
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