The first floor is used as the workshop of Tibetan incense, and the second floor the showroom. Tibetan paper is usually made in the yard. Since 2007, Yanpo has been engaged in studying and making Tibetan incense for 10 years. In 2017, Yanpo invited his cousin Nyita, who was in Lhasa, to come to Aba, studying to make Tibetan paper.

Yanpo, Nyita and their co-workers dug wolfsbane, a plant widely spread in Tibetan-inhabited regions and the main herbaceous ingredient of Tibetan paper.

When in full bloom, wolfsbane renders a charming scene in the breeze. However, wolfsbane is poisonous and may cause death. For thousands of years, people living on the plateau barely touch it.

The toxicity endows wolfsbane to turn into magic paper, which keeps the Buddhist classics in Tibetan-inhabited regions away from bookworms, rats, etc. After peeling off the surface, workers start smashing the roots of wolfsbane. The root of wolfsbane has three layers, and only the white phloem can be used to make paper after being boiled and mashed.

The making skill of Tibetan paper enjoys a history of more than 1,000 years. Based on the experience of handicraftsmen, the skill has been inherited for thousands of years. Photo shows the pouring process, which decides the quality of paper.

After being dried in the sun, a wolfsbane paper is made. The paper will remain unbreakable even being soaked.

Tibetan incense contains more than 20 kinds of ingredients, including natural spices and medicinal materials, such as agilawood, sandalwood, clove, angelica, cinnamon and saffron. Without any chemical perfume, Tibetan incense smells primitive.

After being grinded, the powder of ingredients is mixed and made into pulpy form. With an ox horn, the mud made of natural medicinal materials and spices is squashed into lines. The process requires the patience of the maker.

The experienced workers can squash out straight Tibetan incenses at a stretch.

Workers pack the Tibetan incense. Tibetans usually use Tibetan incense to prevent insects, clean the air, avoid the flu, etc. As a traditional skill, Tibetan incense making also embodies the inheritance of ethnic culture.

The cut Tibetan incenses are put indoor, in order to be dried in shade.

Enjoying a history of 1,300 years, Tibetan incense is seen in monasteries, local people’s homes, on pilgrim roads, etc.

Yanpo’s Tibetan incense workshop has adopted online and offline marketing, selling products in Tibetan-inhabited regions in Sichuan, Beijing, Qinghai, Gansu, etc.

Tibetan incense and Tibetan paper have witnessed the inheritance on the secret land. In 2017, the Tibetan paper craft developed by Yanpo was included in the national intangible cultural heritage list.