File photo from http://www.chinatibetnews.com/ shows folk artists from Nagqu Prefecture in the north of Tibet Autonomous Region narrating the "Epic of King Gesar".

File photo from http://www.chinatibetnews.com/ shows Parga, an excellent national-level folk artist, narrating the "Epic of King Gesar". 

Thanks for its rich cultural heritage, Nagqu Prefecture is one of the most popular areas where the "Epic of King Gesar" thrives.

The Gesar culture was listed as one of the first national intangible cultural heritage in 2006. To better develop and advance the Gesar culture, the Nagqu Art Center specially set up a Gesar Performing Troupe early in 1988.

Since 1999, the Nagqu prefecture government has attached more importance to protecting the narrative art represented by Gesar and developing the Gesar Performing Troupe. Besides, an exclusive database for Tibetan folk artists has been established to standardize the personnel management.

With extensive efforts, the group of Gesar artists have grown vigorously, which is expected to play a bigger role in  carrying on the  time-honored cultural heritage. 

File photo from http://www.chinatibetnews.com/ shows part of the collection of MTV discs and books on the "Epic of King Gesar" published by the Nagqu Artistic Center.

File photo from http://www.chinatibetnews.com/ shows medals won by the Nagqu Artistic Center.