Chengguan District Festivals and Activities

There are many different Tibetan festivals making up our list of Chengguan District(Lhasa) festivals and events. Tibetan New Year, the Shoton Festival and the Thangka Festival, when a giant Buddha painting unfurled, are the highlights. Other festivals are associated with Buddhist monasteries and local traditions and customs. Chengguan District(Lhasa) is center of all things Tibetan, so a Lhasa tour, especially one including a minority festival, is the ideal way to experience the culture of Tibet.

Festivals in Chengguan District(Lhasa)

Tibet Shoton Festival(Aug. 21)

Shoton is Tibetan. Sho means ‘yogurt’, while ton means ‘feast’. So the Shoton Festival is the day for eating yogurt. Recently, the main event of Shoton Festival has been Tibetan dramatic operas, so it is called Tibetan Operas Festival.

Tibetan New Year/Losar

Tibetan New Year is the most important festival in the Tibetan calendar, also known as Losar. Losar has rich and interesting activities, including chanting, passing of fire torches, and dancing. However, Tibet is not open to foreigners during the festival.

Monlam Prayer Festival(Mar. 4)

The Monlam Prayer Festival, celebrated from the fourth day to the fifteenth day of the Tibetan calendar, is a festival for Buddhists to remember the miracles Buddha did and pray. You can visit the temples and see thousands of Buddhists worship during the Monlam Festival.

Tibetan Butter Lamp Festival(Mar. 12)

The Tibetan Butter Lamp Festival falls on the fifteenth day of the Tibetan calendar. On that day, locals and Buddhists use Tibetan butter and pigment to make exquisite sculptures to commemorate Shakyamuni Buddha’s great legend.

Activities in Chengguan District(Lhasa)

Visiting Local Tibetan Family

Undoubtedly, you will encounter many Tibetans in Lhasa and you must be curious about their real life. Visiting a local family is a good chance to learn about their lives. Arriving at the local house, you may find the yak dungs piled in the yard. They are stored for fuel. Entering into the house, and you will be warmly welcomed by the family in Tibetan way. You may find it enjoyable to chat with the hospitable Tibetan people. Butter tea and Zanba will be served.  Don't forget to have a taste, or you could consult the owner how to make them.

Watching Princess Wencheng Drama

Princess Wencheng Drama is a large-scale outdoor live-action show played under the starlit sky at night, which presents the moving story of Princess Wencheng’s marriage to Songtsen Gampo. The whole performance of Princess Wencheng consists of five scenes including prosperity of Ancient Tang Dynasty, Buddhist Music of Heaven and Earth, Great Beauty of Tibetan Dance, God of the Plateau and Harmonious Beauty between Tibet and Han. It reveals the long trip of Princess Wencheng from Changan to Lhasa. Combining with the culture, history, folk-custom and natural landscape of Han and Tibet, Prince Wencheng Drama tell this moving story with ancient Chinese dance, Tibetan dance, and Tibetan Opera. Each part presents the truehearted love between Princess Wencheng and Songtsen Gampo, and shows the harmony between China’s Tang Dynasty and Tubo Kingdom. Princess Wencheng Drama becomes a must-see in Lhasa.

Drawing Thangka Painting

Thangka is a Tibetan Buddhist painting or embroidery on cotton, silk or paper. It describes the life of the Buddha, various influential lamas, and other figures. Many Thangka Painting Stores can be found in Barkhor Street where you can take a Thangka painting. Some stores also provide drawing lessons. Therefore, tourists are able to learn how to draw a Thangka painting. This activity is highly recommended to the group of family members. It helps kids learn about the Buddhist art and cultivate their patience.

Take a Kora with Tibetan

If you are Buddhist or you just want to pray for the blessings in Holy City Lhasa, take a kora with the local people. Kora is a Buddhist activity by walking, turning prayer wheels or prostrating around the mountains, lakes, monasteries, stupas or Marnyi Stones in order to save people from any disasters. Among the pilgrimage circumanbulations in Lhasa, Nangkhor, Barkhor, and Lingkhor are major ones.