Derge Printing House

Derge Printing House, a four-storied scripture printing house, was built by Tibetan people in 30 years and finished in 1729. There are 320,000 printing blocks of Tibetan classics, making the House enjoy the most reserved blocks and the most kinds of books. Praised as the “Encyclopedia of Tibetan culture,” there are blocks of scripture, historical texts, and pictorial blocks, including 70% of the ancient books of Tibetan culture. The woodblock printing techniques from Tang and Song dynasties are still used here, including the application of Stellera Chamaejasme, a plant contributing to storing from A’xu Grassland. Because its root is slightly poisonous and can clear heat, the prints produced can be protected from being destroyed by insects or rats, so the prints have been well-preserved for hundreds of years. Derge Printing House is not only a repository of Tibetan culture but also a place providing inner peace. Even though modern printing technology is impacting on the ancient printing tradition, the elderly of Derge County have never thought of replacing handwork with machines. They are still doing this traditional and noble work on a daily basis.