This photo taken in July 2023 shows an engraved stone discovered on the northern shore of Gyaring Lake in Maduo County, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Xinhua)

XINING, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- China's National Cultural Heritage Administration announced on Monday that an engraved stone, discovered on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is the only known Qin Dynasty (221 B.C.-207 B.C.) engraved stone still preserved at its original site and the one located at the highest altitude during the historic period.

The stone is situated on the northern shore of Gyaring Lake in Maduo County, northwest China's Qinghai Province, at an altitude of about 4,300 meters.

The finding holds significant historical, artistic and scientific value, according to the administration. Emperor Qinshihuang of the Qin Dynasty unified China for the first time. ■

This photo taken on July 25, 2025 shows the Qin Dynasty engraved stone discovered on the northern shore of Gyaring Lake in Maduo County, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Xinhua/Du Xiaowei)

This photo taken on July 25, 2025 shows the Qin Dynasty engraved stone discovered on the northern shore of Gyaring Lake in Maduo County, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Xinhua/Du Xiaowei)

A press conference is held by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li He)

A press conference is held by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li He)

This photo taken on July 25, 2025 shows the Qin Dynasty engraved stone discovered on the northern shore of Gyaring Lake in Maduo County, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Xinhua/Du Xiaowei)

An aerial drone photo taken on July 25, 2025 shows a view of the northern shore of Gyaring Lake, where the Qin Dynasty engraved stone was discovered, in Maduo County, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Xinhua/Du Xiaowei)

An aerial drone photo taken on July 25, 2025 shows a view of the northern shore of Gyaring Lake, where the Qin Dynasty engraved stone was discovered, in Maduo County, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Xinhua/Du Xiaowei)

This photo taken on July 25, 2025 shows the Qin Dynasty engraved stone discovered on the northern shore of Gyaring Lake in Maduo County, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Xinhua/Du Xiaowei)

A press conference is held by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li He)

This photo taken in July 2023 shows an engraved stone discovered on the northern shore of Gyaring Lake in Maduo County, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Xinhua)