Lamas prepare for the butter sculpture exhibition on Feb. 17 in Kumbum Monastery, a prominent monastery in northwest China's Qinghai Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

A lama stands in front of a crafted butter flower on Feb. 17. [Photo/Xinhua]

Vivid butter flowers made by monks of Kumbum Monastery. [Photo/Xinhua]

A lama watches the butter sculpture on Feb. 17. [Photo/Xinhua]

An annual exhibition of butter sculptures, the grandest of its kind in the country, was held on Feb. 17 in Kumbum Monastery, a prominent monastery in Qinghai Province, attracting about 150,000 pilgrims and visitors.

Butter sculpture, barbola and mural painting, all of which are unique Tibetan artworks, are the renowned three artistic treasures of the Kumbum Monastery.

In 2006, butter sculpture was added onto the first batch of national-level intangible culture heritages list.