This study explored the role of background complexity in cognitive and aesthetic responses toward Tibetan cultural landscapes with emphasis upon “Mani stone stacks”—the sacred stone stacks inherent in Tibetan spirituality as well as culture. Ratings of the stone stacks in pictures under simple background (neural gray), complex background (dense natural or village), as well as singularity background conditions indicated how cognitive responses varied as a function of background. Ratings of aesthetic appeal, as well as cultural value, as well as emotional resonance, as well as cognitive responses as evidenced through the use of EEG analysis, varied as a function of background. Additionally, cognitive responses as evidenced through the use of the measures of reaction times as well as accuracy of assessment varied. Findings indicated simpler background conditions (the neutral gray) produced more attention toward the stone stacks with less cognitive work as well as more favorable assessment of aesthetic as well as cultural value. More complex background conditions, like the dense natural or village, demanded more cognitive work, which can interfere with the experience of the stones as meaningful carriers of spiritual as well as cultural value. A no background condition, being less diverting, produced middling levels of attention through the elimination of background richness. Optimizing background complexity can be a factor toward enhanced cognitive as well as aesthetic experience in culturally significant landscapes.