LHASA, June 20 (Xinhua) -- An art museum dedicated to stone carvings has opened in the city of Xigaze in southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region.

The museum, the first of its kind in Tibet, features more than 60 original stone carving works and reproductions, 30 rubbings, as well as over 20 stone carving crafts, showcasing the art form in Tibet from the seventh to the 19th century.

"In Tibet, stone carving art is widespread and has a long history," said Kalwang, an official with the Xigaze cultural bureau. "With great historic, artistic and scientific value, these splendid stone carving works are a window into the traditional and ethnic culture of Tibet."

The opening of the museum is the culmination of years of efforts by Tibet’s art researchers on surveying, collecting and preserving artworks of stone carvings.

"Most of the stone carvings in Tibet were engraved on slates or precipices and were vulnerable to damage and erosion," said Kalwang. "We opened the museum to raise people’s awareness on preserving stone carvings, hoping to keep the art form alive."