Overview
Trip Introduction
ཞོ་སྟོན།The Shoton Festival is one of the most famous traditional festivals in Tibet, widely celebrated in Lhasa. In the Tibetan language, “Sho” is yogurt, and “Ton” is a banquet, which evolved from the original religious culture. Through the years, Shoton Festival has gradually developed into a multi-functional comprehensive cultural event integrating Buddhist cultural activities(Thangka painting unveiling ceremony),cultural performances, tourism, and leisure.Shoton Festival is held on 30th of the sixth month of the Tibetan calendar every year, usually about the middle of Aug, this year, it is on 19th Aug 2020, and will last for about one week. The Shoton Festival starts with the unveiling of the 500-square-meter embroidered thangka painting of the Buddha at Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery, Tibetan opera performance in Norbulingka palace. The Shoton Festival originated in the middle of the 16th century. At that time, the Shoton Festival was a purely religious activity, and now it has gradually evolved into a folk festival combining Buddhist exhibitions, Tibetan opera, entertainment, and religion.
Over the years, Lhasa City has hosted many exciting events. Those who are planning to travel to Tibet can take this opportunity to experience a Shoton carnival. This program has also offered some of the best attractions along the way to Shigatse city, the capital of Tsang region, two of the most significant towns of central Tibet. The journey covering a distance of over 650 kilometers, this will take you from the modern Tibetan capital of Lhasa to pristine high altitude lakes, rivers, glaciers, farming valleys, this trip will offer participants up-close views and cultural beauties of Tibet.
