- Celebrated:Aug. 16, 2023
- Location:Tibet
TheShoton Festivalis one of the most popular traditional festivals inTibet. It celebrates eating yogurt, the Tibetan monks who end their season of meditation, the watching of Tibetan dramatic operas, and Tibetan Buddhism.
It is held annually in the month ofAugust, or late in the sixth month, or early in the seventh month of theTibetan calendar. The Shoton Festival has become a comprehensive celebration that influences the culture ofTibet.
It is a great occasion for bothTibetansand tourists. It has also become a market time, and a time for competitions, performances, and entertainment. Attending the festival gives visitors a special feel forTibetand itsculture.
Seefamous ethnic festivals in China
Venue
During the festival, there are celebrations in the streets, squares, and monasteries inLhasa. The main part of the celebration activities is centered onthe western part of the city of Lhasain Tibet on the grounds of the palace of the Dalai Lama that is calledNorbulingka(罗布林卡).
History
TheGelug Sectof Buddhism has a regulation that between April and June according to the Tibetan calendar lamas may onlypractice Buddhismin monasteries to avoid stepping on and killing tiny living things.
当禁令结束时,喇嘛寺院and laymen offer them sour milk and perform Tibetan operas. After1642, the Gandain Phodrang (Paradise Palace) of theDrepung Monasterybecame the political, religious and cultural center of Tibet.
Tens of thousands of people went there each year to give yogurt to the lamas and to ask for blessings. TheTibetan Operatroupes and wild yak dancing troupes all came to perform. In this way, the Shoton Festival began.
Activities
On the first day of the festival, theThangkais scheduled to be unveiled at theDrepung Monastery. Then the celebrations will begin atNorbulingka.
The residents of Lhasa will gather in the park and celebrate by eatingyogurtand watching theoperas. Professional and amateur Tibetan opera troupes annually gather in the Norbulingka and perform various Tibetan operas.
Along with the Tibetan operas and other religious activities, visitors can also watch yak races, horse races, and dance.
Tangka Unveiled
The prelude of theShoton Festivalis the Buddha exhibition in Drepung Monastery. The tranquil valley becomes excited. With the sound of a horn reverberating through the valley, about 100 lamas will carry the large-scaleThangkaportraying Qamba Buddha (or Maitreya) out of the Coqen Hall of theDrepung Monasteryand walk towards the west of the monastery where a special platform is set up for the Buddha picture exhibition.
Shoton Festival
At that moment, the mulberry smoke rises from all directions, horns resound and scripture chanting starts. The large Thangka will then be slowly opened up. People rush up to offer white hada.
Countless hada fly in front of the Buddha picture forming a great scene. Within two hours, the Thangka will be rolled up again and carried back. People will not see it until the next year.
Eating Yoghurt
In the Tibetan language, the word Shoton meanssour milk banquet. Buddhists go to the mountains to cultivate themselves, and then after the period of cultivation, their family members will go and meet them in the mountains.
On their way home, people drink yogurt, sing, and dance. During the festival, people will gather in the park to celebrate the festival by eating yogurt.
Tibetan Opera
Masks of Tibetan Opera
Another important part of the Shoton Festival isTibetan Opera. One can’t miss it. Starting from the second day of the Shoton Festival, Tibetan Opera is performed from about 11:00 a.m. until dusk every day at theNorbulingkaand at another park near thePotala Palace.
Due to the limited time, the performances are only a distillation of actualTibetan Opera. Real Tibetan Operas may go on for several days. The Norbulingka and other parks of Lhasa are dotted with colorful tents.
Getting there
To get to the festival, you have toget to Tibet. Foreign travelers have to apply for travel permits to enter Tibet. And you are not allowed to travel to Tibet without a tour guide.
Read more aboutTibet permits and how to enter Tibet.
And you should pay attention to the climate and altitude of Tibet. To have a nice and safe trip in such a high-altitude area, you should know what to bring.
Read more aboutwhat to pack for a Tibet tour.
Tour with China Highlights
Interested in celebrating the Shoton Festival? China Highlights offers you the unique opportunity to celebrate the festival as locals do. China Highlights has a special tour to Tibet each year to coincide with the Shoton Festival.
We can help you design to trip to Tibet to experience this festival. See the followingpopular Tibet toursfor inspiration:
- 10-Days Beijing-Lhasa-Shanghai
- 8-Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour
- 7-Days Tibet Tours by Train from Xining
- 4-Days Lhasa Highlights Comfort Tour
You can alsocontact usto create aTibet tourfor you.
