The Bathing Festival is in the early part of the 8th Tibetan month. This festival lasts for seven days. During this period, the Chishan Star appears. Men and women, old and young, go bathing in nearby rivers and lakes. Legend has it that those who take a dip in the river water at this point…

Nagri in western Tibet is home to dozens of holy lakes and mountains in Tibet such as the Mt. Kailash and the Mapam Yumco Holy Lake ( or Manasarovar Lake). The region still remains mysterious and untouchable for its high elevation and remote location. However, its splendid landscapes, typical customs and the strong atmosphere of…

The Shoton (Sour Milk Drinking) Festival takes place in the early days of the 7th Tibetan month. This turns out to be the most lively festival of the year. During celebrations, the Lhasans visit lingka woods. On the 30th day of the 6th Tibetan month, the Buddha Painting Displaying Festival is held in the Zhaibung…

As a worldwide fever of bestseller adaptation keeps rolling, Hollywood was attracted to “The Tibet Code”. On June 7, 2013, Dream Works Animation — makers of “Kung Fu Panda”— announced they were teaming up with the China Film Group, a state-owned company, to make “The Tibet Code”. The movie will be an adaptation of a…

The Festival of the Ritual Walk Around Holy Mountains is held on the 4th day of the 6th Tibetan month. Called “Zhuba Ceshi” in Tibetan, the festival marks Sakyamuni’s first effort to turn the Wheel of Dharma. On this day, young men and women in Lhasa go visit mountainous monasteries in the northern suburb. They…

Mina Qiangmu is one of the oldest Tibetan dances. As one of the regional intangible cultural heritage of Tibet Autonomous Region, Mina Qiangmu is gaining more attention regarding its preservation and development. Demo Monastery, located in Nichi Village of Nyingchi County, is the major cradleland of Mi-nyag Qiangmu and Demo Qiangmu, a religious “holy dance”.…

Tibetan costumes carry an unique record of its time-honored history. The study on Tibetan costumes will enhance research on the historical and cultural development of Tibetan ethnic group. Historical records show that the essential characteristics of modern Tibetan costumes took shape as early as 11th century, BC. With the intercommunication between different tribes and ethnic…

Cobblestones adorn the bed of Nyangchu River when the water falls. Dondrup Tenpa, 24 years old, picks up these stones which he treasures very much, cleans them carefully and puts them into a bag. These hand-sized, flat and rounded pebbles will be carved by Dondrup Tenpa with exquisite images of Budda and eight auspicious symbols,…

The Sagya Dawa Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the fourth Tibetan month. Legend has it that Sakyamuni, founder of Buddhism, was born, entered into monkhood, and passed away on this day. In memory of the Buddha, Buddhist followers take ritual walks, worship Buddha, give alms to lamas, and abstain from eating meat.…

The Grand Summons Ceremony is held from the 4th to the 25th day of the first Tibetan month. Lamas from the Zhaibung, Sera, and Ganden Monasteries gather mainly in the Jokhang Monastery in Lhasa for the recitation of Buddhist sutras, examinations for the Buddhist academic degree of Geshi, alms given by various benefactors, religious rituals,…