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Culture Resources

Culturally speaking, this area has the most abundant cultural resources in China. Of the 40 world heritage sites in China, 11 sites are located in this area including 5 cultural heritage sites and 1 mixed cultural and natural sites. From this area, several major rivers originate and flow through this area. They have produced a number of civilizations such as Yellow River Civilization, Yangtze River Civilization and Tibetan Civilizations. This area has been serving as an important bridge between China and Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia countries. The world famous Northern Silk Road went through this area with hundreds of cultural relics. Another important route of trade in this area is Tea Horse Trade Route between Tibet and Yunnan and Sichuan. This area has shown strong influence of three major religions in the world, Buddhism, Islam and Taoism. And this area has the most colorful ethnic minority culture in China and can be called a natural museum of architecture and costumes. In the following we are going to give a little bit more information about cultural resources in this area.

	Yellow River Civilization
	Originating in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Yellow River is the second-longest river in China and the sixth-longest in the world. The Yellow River is called "the cradle of Han Chinese civilization", as its basin is the birthplace of ancient Chinese civilizations and was the most prosperous region in early Chinese history. Typical sites in this area are the Terracotta Warrior and Shaanxi history museum.
	Yangtze River Civilization
	As the longest river in China and the third-longest in the world, Yangtze River also originates in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The Yangtze drains one-fifth of China's land area and its river basin is home to one-third of China's population. The discovery of Sanxingdui Relics Site and Jinsha Relics Site in Sichuan Province made lots of Chinese archaeologists believe the existence of another parallel Han Chinese Civilization, namely Yangtze River Civilization represented by Sanxingdui Relics Site and Jinsha Relics Site. These two sites are also mentioned as ancient Shu Culture.
	Tibetan Civilizations
	The longest river in Tibet and highest river in the world, the Yarlung Tsangpo River is regarded as the birthplace of Tibetan culture and cradle of Tibetan civilization. The specific geographic and climactic conditions have made Tibetan culture unique, mysterious and diverse. You can always find places that show different aspects of Tibetan Buddhism, art, literature,music, architecture and costumes with strong local characteristic.
	Northern Silk Road
	The Northern Silk Road is the most well-known trading route between China and middle east kingdoms. It originates in Xi'an and extending north of the Taklimakan Desert to reach the ancient kingdoms of Parthia, Bactria and eventually Persia and Rome. Enormous amounts of cultural heritage have been left by the merchants from different countries with different religious background, the tribes and Chinese troops.The most remarkable ones are Dunhuang Grottoes and Jiaohe City Ruins.
	Tea Horse Trade Route
	This route is called "Tea-Horse Trade Route", referring to the route taken by horse and tea traders in ancient times between the hinterland of China and Tibet, and as far as India and west Asia. The tea horse route brought about another type of trade, the exchange of culture, religion and ethnic migration. The tea horse road passes through some of the most ethnically and culturally diverse areas of China.
	Taoism Sites
	As the only religion born in China, Taoism has exerted a big influence to the formation of Chinese Culture. It is almost impossible to understand Chinese culture without understanding Taoism. As the birthplace and flourishing place of Taoism in China, Taoism has very strong presence in Sichuan and neighboring provinces. Famous sites, Qincheng Mountain (World Cultural Heritage Site), Heming Mountain and Qinyang Palace.

	Ethnic Minority Culture
	The high mountains and high-elevation plateaus has preserved most parts of this area from access of outside world in ancient times. So little was known about the ethnic minority groups who lived in the depth of mountains in western China. More than 90% of Chinese minority groups can be found here. The following table shows the information about ethnic minority people in relevant provinces. Please note that the facts are based on the official release from Nation-wide Census in 2001