Festivals

This festival attracts nomadic Tibetan horsemen - or Khampas, and visitors from all over to Litang plain. There are exciting Tibetan pony races in which the riders and traders compete for the honor of owning the best horse. There are also performances, food and craft stalls and other sporting competitions for entertainment.

This week-long celebration is held to honor Lord Buddha with joyful festivities. Early in the morning, the people gather at Drepung monastery to watch the unveiling of a huge embroidered Thangka of Buddha. This is followed by picnics, games and opera performances in ‘The Jewelled Park’ and at night, there are great bonfires and parties.

Yushu (or Gyêgu) was a town ideally situated as a center for trade and was historically the home of the richest Tibetans in the country. Every year this festival celebrates the wealth of the area with a carnival of colorful tents. Visitors flock to see exciting horse races and beautiful folk dance performances.

This is one of the most important events in the Buddhist calendar, for which pilgrims from all over Tibet try to make the journey to Drepung Monastery. This day commemorates the first sermon given by Buddha regarding the four noble truths and because Buddhists believe that their actions on this day will be multiplied many times, they meditate.

One of Tibet’s greatest temples, Ganden Monastery is the destination for thousands of Buddhists and tourists every year for this special day. People gather early, to pray, pay homage to the holy relics and gather on surrounding hillsides to see the great unveiling of an enormous handwoven tapestry depicting Buddha.