Festivals in Shigatse
Shigatse is known as the home of Tibetan opera, and both professional and village opera groups still perform here. Opera is part of almost every big festival in Shigatse, and during festival time there is folk singing and dancing all over the city.
Gtsang New Year (Farmers’ New Year)
People in Shigatse celebrate their own New Year, called Gtsang New Year or Farmers’ New Year, at the start of the 11th Tibetan month, which usually falls in December or January. It follows the old farming calendar and marks the end of the harvest year. Families visit each other, share food and chang (barley beer), and give thanks for the year’s crops.
Buddha Unfolding Festival at Tashilhunpo
This is the most important festival in Shigatse, and it has been held for more than 500 years. For three days, from the 14th to the 16th day of the 5th Tibetan month (usually June or July), a different giant thangka is hung each day on the great thangka wall of Tashilhunpo Monastery: Amitabha, Shakyamuni and Maitreya. Each one covers more than a thousand square metres. Monks chant, and thousands of pilgrims come to make offerings.
Dharma Festival (Horse Race & Archery)
The Dama festival, often written “Dharma festival” in English, is a festival of horse racing and archery. It is still held in many places, and Gyantse’s is the most famous. It used to be in the 4th Tibetan month, with horse racing, wrestling, a display of Buddha images and ritual dances. Today it usually takes place in summer, after the farmers have finished planting.
Linka Festival
“Linka” means a park or garden. Tibetans love to picnic in the parks in summer, with tents, food, games and songs. In the past this happened in the 5th Tibetan month. Today Shigatse’s Linka Festival is usually held around early June, when the fields are green and farmers have a short rest from work.
Gyantse Horse Race Festival
The Gyantse Horse Race Festival is one of the oldest festivals in Tibet. Riders dress themselves and their horses in their best clothes and compete in racing, riding skills and archery from horseback. Many people come to trade and meet friends. It is usually held in summer, and it draws the biggest crowds in the Shigatse region.
Don’t miss: Tibetan opera is performed at most big Shigatse festivals, and it is one of the most authentic cultural experiences you can have here. If your trip falls at festival time, your guide can take you to a performance.
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