Overview:
Shoton is a Tibetan word that literally means yoghurt banquet. Going to Tibet during the Shoton Festival is a great way to see some local activities and soak up Tibetan culture. Try not to be too dismayed at local Chinese bureaucrats overlaying the festival with non-traditional activities.Dates:
August 20-25, 2009 / August 10-15 2010Location:
Drepung Monastery on the outskirts of Lhasa. Many activities take pace at the Norbu Lingka, a park nearby.History:
Originating over 1,000 years ago, the festival has its roots when locals offered monks yoghurt upon the monks’ return from summer meditation retreats. The festival lasts from the first of the seventh month to the fifth of the seventh month in Tibetan calendar.Features:
Due to Chinese influence, this traditional festival is now filled with non-traditional events such as real estate exhibitions and auto exhibitions. But you can skip all of that and focus on the interesting stuff like:
- Revealing the giant thangka (Tibetan Buddhist spiritual painting)
- Tibetan opera performances
- Yak & horse races
- Folk art performances
Getting There:
To get to the festival, first you have to get to Tibet, and that is only possible through a few routes. Read all about getting to Tibet.
Sources: 2008 China's Lhasa Shoton Festival, China Tibet Information Center, Sacred Travel Destinations.
