Immerse yourself in the mesmerizing tapestry of traditions and cultural splendor during the Shoton Festival, a cornerstone of Tibetan heritage. This time-honored celebration, also known as the “Yogurt Festival,” unfolds annually in the heart of Tibet as a captivating fusion of ancient rituals and modern festivities. As the Tibetan calendar transitions to late June and early July, the stage is set for an unforgettable journey into the heart of this vibrant cultural extravaganza.

The Fusion of Ancient and Contemporary Delights

The Shoton Festival, renowned for its significance in Tibetan culture, unites timeless customs with contemporary flair. Once dedicated solely to savoring yogurt, it has metamorphosed into a multi-dimensional spectacle. Commencing from August 29th to September 4th this year, the festival now boasts a symphony of offerings, including the cherished “Buddha Show,” spellbinding “Tibetan Opera,” exhilarating “Horse Racing,” dynamic “Auto Show,” and captivating “Housing Exhibition.”

A Personal Odyssey through Tradition

Embarking on my odyssey to the heart of the festival, I embarked on a journey from Lanzhou to Lhasa on August 27th, a journey that would soon unveil countless enchantments. As I arrived in Lhasa on August 29th, the intoxicating allure of the Shoton Festival embraced me, enveloping me in its spell.

In the embrace of this vibrant event, I found myself drawn to the grandeur of the Buddha Thangka Exhibition. With nearly 300,000 believers and enthusiasts converging from across Tibet, this awe-inspiring gathering unfolded as a breathtaking ode to Tibetan Buddhism. At the hallowed grounds of Drepung Monastery, a colossal Thangka of Sakyamuni Buddha emerged, basking in the first rays of sunlight. The serenity etched upon the Buddha’s countenance resonated deeply with the souls present, invoking a profound sense of reverence.

A Dawn Pilgrimage to Serenity

In a display of devotion, I embarked on an early morning pilgrimage to Drepung Monastery on the 29th. The path was adorned with a tapestry of pilgrims, each harboring their aspirations. The road could not be passed through at 5 o’clock and I set off at 3 a.m. and rushed to Drepung Monastery. Many Tibetan people and tourists had already arrived. Some people stayed on the mountain wrapped with blankets to be closer to the Buddha statue and offer Hada. With our private car, we arrived at Drepung Monastery at half past three. The Buddha exhibition would begin at 8 o’clock, meaning that it would take four and a half hours to wait in the mountains.

Around 7 o’clock, the masters of the Drepung Monastery went up to the mountain with the tools of the Buddha exhibition. The exhibition platform covered more than half of the mountain, and it was more troublesome to display the Thangka with dozens of meters of Buddha statues. There were several groups of people standing in front of the exhibition platform and I could not see clearly. The masters were preparing, covering with a layer of cloth, and tied Thangka with many ropes. In a solemn voice of the Buddha, the living Buddha set off from the Drepung Monastery with the monks carrying the huge white cloth of Thangka.

As dawn approached, the air pulsated with anticipation, and the Thangka unveiling ceremony began. After the living Buddha read a piece of scripture, he began to climb to the top of the platform and the people around him began to chant scriptures and present Hada. After the preparations were completed, as the solemn horns sounded, the Buddha statue began to slowly spread over the platform. When the first sunshine began to shine in the Drepung Monastery, people put their palms together, reciting the scriptures, praying, and casting Hada to the Buddha. The scene was spectacular and sacred. I also prepared a Hada and made a wish.

On the way down the mountain, I saw countless people rushing to the mountains. The exhibition of Buddha Thangka should be the grandest and most sacred ceremony, and of course the ceremony with the most people that I have ever seen. The whole process was exciting, but the process of going downhill was painful. The crowded people were filled with smoke and dust, and it took 2 hours to reach the foot of the mountain. It only took more than 10 minutes if there were not so many people.

Enigmatic Tibetan Opera

In addition to the Buddha Show ceremony attended on the first day, most of the other time, I stayed in the park, watching Tibetan opera. But I couldn’t understand it. I just enjoyed the bustling atmosphere. Tibetan Opera, a mesmerizing enigma of music and movement, became a hallmark of my Shoton Festival experience. While the lyrical intricacies of the performances eluded me, the performers’ expressions and gestures unveiled a world of emotions. The dedication and hard work of these artists were palpable, leaving an indelible mark on my memory.

There were also Tibetans who brought food to the park and enjoyed the Festival and I watched them drink and sing until I found that Lhasa entered autumn, the trees slowly put on new clothes, the ground was covered with yellow leaves, very beautiful…

My hotel was just behind the Potala Palace, so Zongjiao Lukang Park – when the Potala Palace was built, the earth was taken here, and the 6th Dalai Tsangyang Gyatso built it later, it is also known as “Longwangtan Park” to visit in the morning and early evening, like experiencing retirement in advance.

Lingka Festival: A Joyous Symphony of Life

On the third day, we went to Norbulingka for the Lingkha festival. Everyone drank, sang, and danced together for a happy day. Enthusiastic Tibetan friends! Lingka, in Tibetan, is the meaning of the Garden. For example, Norbulingka Summer Palace used to be a garden dedicated to the lofty and noble people in Tibet. However, many Tibetans now spend Lingka festival, it does not have to have a garden. As long as there are dense forests and a meadow, people set up tents and have a lively Lingka Festival.

“Celebrate Lingka Festival” refers to a kind of leisure activity for Tibetan friends. In the warm and sunny weather, they will set up tents, put on carpets in the fields, lay out barley wine and various snacks, drink and sing, and enjoy the fun of nature in the mountains and next to the rivers. Many people have prepared things to eat and drink for the whole day early in the morning, and they come to Norbulingka Summer Palace to find a place where all the family are in a circle and laugh and spend a pleasant day. They come from all over Tibet, carrying tents and blankets, bringing their home-brewed barley wine, buttered tea, etc., and rush to Norbulingka. Find a shade of grass, they can have a good day.

We celebrated the Lingka Festival with a Tibetan boy whom we just met, and he was very welcoming. With his friends, we sang and danced in a circle, so happy, perfect DAY!

The Norbulingka, once the cherished summer residence of the Dalai Lama, now stands as a testament to Tibetan history and beauty. When the summer comes, the Dalai Lama transfers from Potala Palace to Norbulingka. Within its sprawling expanse of 374 rooms, Kesang Pozang, Jinse Pozang, and Dadeng Mingjiu Pozang bear witness to centuries of culture and grandeur.  It is the largest-scale garden with the best scenery and the largest number of historical sites in Tibet. This ethereal realm, now a People’s Park, resonates with echoes of a bygone era.

During the seven days of the Shoton Festival, there was a Tibetan opera performance held every day at Norbulingka and Zongjiao Lukang Park. From about 10 am to 5 pm, many Tibetan people went early in the morning to have a good place and brought food, drink, and listen up until the end. I could never understand what they were singing but experienced some fun through the body language of the performers and the expressions of the viewers. As a layman, I can only feel that they sing very well. And the performers are very hard working.

The Echoes of Joy Throughout Lhasa

In the tapestry of the Shoton Festival, a jubilant melody of laughter and singing resounds through the streets of Lhasa. As a 7-day holiday envelops Tibet, the festival’s vibrant spirit enchants all, bridging the past and present in a harmonious dance of tradition and modernity.

The Shoton Festival, a captivating blend of history, spirituality, and celebration, etches itself upon the soul, an experience that transcends time and resonates long after the final notes of the Tibetan Opera have faded.