In pics: Dege Sutra Printing House in China's Sichuan-Xinhua

A worker checks woodcut printing blocks at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

The printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Sichuan were listed in this May as documentary heritage on the Asia Pacific regional register of UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 2, 2024 shows the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

This photo taken on Nov. 2, 2024 shows woodcut printing blocks housed at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

This file photo taken on June 11, 2019 shows workers airing woodcut printing blocks on a roof at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

A worker prints with a vintage woodcut printing block at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

Workers print with vintage woodcut printing blocks at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

Workers proofread newly made prints at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

A worker revises a woodcut printing block at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

A worker carves a woodcut printing block at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

A worker proofreads newly made prints at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

This photo taken on Oct. 3, 2021 shows workers cleaning and maintaining woodcut printing blocks with traditional techniques at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

This photo taken on Nov. 2, 2024 shows a yard inside the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

A worker prepares papers for printing at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

This photo taken on May 16, 2017 shows workers soaking paper for printing outside the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

A worker airs fresh prints at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

A drone photo taken on Nov. 2, 2024 shows the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

A worker prepares paper for printing at the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.

People visit the Dege Sutra Printing House in Dege County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 2, 2024. Built in 1729, the Dege Sutra Printing House preserves in good condition 325,520 woodcut printing plates containing significant Tibetan classics dating back to the 11th century. The majority of the blocks were carved between the 18th and mid-20th centuries.