First privately owned museum opens in Tibet

A privately-owned museum featuring ancient weapons and cultural relics from Tibet, the first of its kind in the region, opened Friday in Maldrogungkar county.

The Chojor Ancient Weapons Museum, is in Gyama town, which is about 70 kilometers from the regional capital, Lhasa. The town is also known as the birthplace of the famous seventh century Tibetan king, Songtsan Gampo.

The museum is named after its founder, Chojor, a native Tibetan farmer.

Chojor has spent more than 30 years collecting more than 1,600 items now on display in the museum. They include pottery, bronze ware, ethnic costumes, everyday items, religious cultural objects and ancient weapons.

"It has been my dream to see a museum of ancient weapons and cultural relics born in Tibet," Chojor said.

Initiated in 2012 with an investment of more than 10 million yuan ($1.61million), it is ranked as one of the three key projects of Lhasa.

"I have never seen many ancient weapons like this in my life. It is our honor to see so many historical relics," said Dorje, a villager of the county's Gyama Trikhang village.

The 52-year-old said he was very happy the museum was fin the same town that is the birthplace of the King Songtsan Gampo, and he said it has educational value for future generations.

The museum will be open from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm in the summer and 10 am to 6 pm in the winter, Chojor said.

"The ticket price is not decided yet, and it is free for tourists for the next couple of weeks," he said.