Festival Tours

Before the 17th century, “Shoton”was a purely religious activity, In the mid-17th century, however, the Tibetan opera performance was added, when the Shoton Festival assumed a fixed form. The largest taboo of Buddhism is destruction of life. Grass and trees grow, and all things revive in summer, so it is almost inevitable to kill insects when monks go out, which violates the “ahimsa”discipline. Therefore, the Gelug Sect provides that, from April to June of the Tibetan calendar, monks must stay in their monasteries to cultivate themselves. It is called “settlement in summer”, lasting until the end of June. On go downhill. People will reward them by preparing sour milk, holding a banquet in the field and performing Tibetan opera. This is the origion of the Soton Festival.

The Shoton Festival of Drepung Monastery is held on July 1st every year in the Tibetan calendar. During the period, there are numerous of visitors to the Buddha exhibition is very large, which can be crowded.

Visitors to the exhibition of the Buddha at Drepung Monastery should pay attention:

Traffic control Since 0 a.m. before the festival begins, all vehicles will not be allowed to pass through the streets within 5 kilometers below the Drepung Monastery. You can take the free bus in the designated places.

If you want to be close to the show, you need to start off early to get the best seats.

Because you have to climb a mountain, it also takes a long walk to take the bus. Therefore, recommended to wear comfortable sneakers or hiking shoes. In case of rain, please bring along the cold clothes and raincoats.

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Saga Dawa Festival in Tibet will be opening on 17th June 2023, lasting for 1 month. You can choose to travel during these time which will allow you to experience the atmosphere of Saga Dawa Festival. However, the main circuit for pilgrimage will be filled with pilgrims.

2023 Horse Race Festival will be held during August 10th – 15th in the solar calendar. From end July – beginning of August under the Tibetan calendar each year, the Qiqqing Horse Race Festival will be launched in Nagqu area. During the art show on opening ceremony, thousands of people perform the Tibetan dance Guozhuang at the same time, created extraordinary lively scenic. Nowadays, the number of foreign guests who would like to come to participate in the festival is keep on increasing.

Reflected under the background of blue sky and white clouds, the tourists may enjoy galloped on the grassland, shot arrows and watched colorful performances on the grassland in northern Tibet during the day. In the evening, people gathered around the bonfire and dance the Tibetan Guozuang altogether. Nagqu in summer, the grassland is always full of laughters and joy, people gathered to share the pageant of horseback.

In addition to art and equestrian performances, the Horse Race Festival will also carry out material exchange, livestock and handicraft products and other activities. At this time, there will be many shops with the dazzling of handicrafts, the tourists may browse the unique goods in northern Tibet, while enjoying the equestrian competition.

In August, the temperature in Nagqu area can reach up to 21℃ during the daytime, hence already in the rain season, the oxygen content is considered superior during the year. However, the weather conditions are still not very stable, advice the tourists bring warm clothes and moisturizing skin care products, or drink more water every day, to protect their skin.

The opening ceremony of Tibet Shoton Festival will be held on August 8th, 2023 (which is the 30th day of the sixth month under the Tibetan Calendar) under solar calendar. The festival will last for one week, and ends on August 15th. There will be unfolding giant painting of the Buddha during the opening ceremony in Drepung Monastery. Before the 17th century, “Shoton” was a purely religious activity. In the mid-17th century, however, the Tibetan opera performance was added, when the Shoton Festival assumed a fixed form. Besides the original Tibetan opera performance, performances by literature and art troupes of Tibet, and other countries are also offered, making the occasion more boisterous.

The major activities during the Shoton Festival period:

1. The giant painting of Buddha display in Drepung Monastery: The Buddha painting display will be held on the very first day of Tibet Shoton Festival (the 30th day of the sixth month in the Tibetan calendar which is equal to the solar calendar of August 8th, 2023. Tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world came to watch the lively Buddha painting.

2. The giant painting of Buddha display in Sera Monastery: In addition to displaying the Buddha painting in Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery will likewise hold the same ceremony during the day.

3. Tibetan opera performance in Norbulingka, hence nowadays it has become hubs of entertainment with dancing, singing, music and festivities. Initially, it is the summer residence during the reign of the Eighth Dalai Lama.

4. Lingka Festival: It is actually like the activity of outside picnic. Local Tibetan would gather with their relatives and friends to sing, dance, and drink together. The activities in Norbulingka are considering the highlight and the most swinging place during the Sholton Festival.

The Buddha exhibition will be held on the 1st day of the seventh month in Tibetan calendar in Drepung Monastery. At that time, huge crowds of people came to see the unfolding of the giant painting of Buddha. For those who have plans to attend, please take note of the traffic restriction. Since midnight, vehicles are not allowed to pass through the streets within 5km of Drepung before the ceremony start. However, you may take the free bus from the appointed venue.

If you wish to take a closer look at the unfolding of the Buddha painting, have to depart very early, to be able to seize the most advantageous position.

As you have to climb up to a mountain, and to walk a long way before you can take a bus. Therefore, you need comfortable sports shoes or hiking shoes. It might rain, thus you need to wear warm clothing and bring a raincoat.