Traditional House in Qiacun Village, Lhasa, Tibet, China

Traditional Tibetan village houses, especially those nestled along the ancient road between Ganden Monastery and Lhasa, reflect a deep harmony with the surrounding landscape.

Built from stone, wood, and earth, these homes often feature flat roofs, thick walls for insulation, and small windows to retain warmth. Their architecture is both practical and symbolic, with whitewashed exteriors and brightly colored window frames that echo the hues of prayer flags fluttering nearby. In villages like Qiacun, these homes form a cohesive visual rhythm, mirroring the contours of the hills and the spiritual cadence of the land.

Qiacun village, located in Zangdog township of Dagze district, has recently become a beacon of aesthetic renewal in the region. As part of a project aimed at building a beautiful and livable village, Qiacun was chosen to pioneer the integration of 3D wall paintings into its traditional architecture. These lifelike murals, carefully designed to blend with the local environment, now adorn the walls of residential buildings, adding layers of visual storytelling and cultural resonance. The paintings depict scenes of daily life, nature, and Tibetan heritage, transforming the village into a living gallery that honors both tradition and innovation.

This artistic intervention has imbued Qiacun with a renewed sense of peace and harmony. The 3D paintings do not disrupt the village’s quiet dignity; rather, they enhance it, offering moments of beauty and reflection to both residents and visitors. As the first village in the autonomous region to adopt this form of public art, Qiacun stands as a model for how aesthetic projects can deepen the livability and spiritual coherence of a place. The murals, nestled among the stone and wood of ancient homes, invite a contemplative gaze—one that sees not only the surface but the soul of the village itself.