A collection of duplicates of ancient thangka is currently on show at the Shanghai History Museum. [Photo provided to China Daily]

　　A collection of precious duplicates of ancient thangkas and contemporary artworks from Tibet's Sakya county, some of which are being exhibited to the public for the first time, are currently on show at the Shanghai History Museum and Shanghai Xuhui Art Museum.

　　"Tibetan culture is an important part of traditional culture in China and thangka is a representative art form of Tibet," said Zhou Qunhua, director of the Shanghai History Museum, at the opening ceremony of the exhibition on Saturday.

　　Tibetan thangkas are traditional paintings done on cotton, silk or paper and usually themed on Tibetan religion, history, politics, culture and life. The materials used by thangka artists include treasured metals such as gold, natural mineral pigments, as well as plant-based colors.

　　Today, the art form, which was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006, continues to develop in the Tibet autonomous region, as well as other areas where the Tibetan ethnic group can be found, such as Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan and Gansu provinces.