Dongba Palace is an art centre in the town of Lijiang (fig.), which promotes the unique Dongba culture, as well as that of other local ethnic minorities, including also the Naxi. In the local Naxi language, the word dongba is said to mean ‘wise man’ and refers to the monks and deities of the Bön religion, whom play a major role in the Naxi culture.

Hence, the building is on the outside decorated with depictions of dbu rgyan (fig.), ritual crowns worn by monks of the Bön religion, as well as in certain sects of Vajrayana Buddhism (fig.).