Great Festivals in Nyingchi Prefecture

In the long development history of human society, nationalities in Nyingchi Prefecture, Tibet formed their distinctive festivals with rich Nyingchi and religious characteristics. Except for Tibetan New Year Festival and Kongpo New Year Festival, the most representative great festivals in Nyingchi Prefecture are Barqude Songzhu Festival, Wangkor Festival in Lang County, Bome Songzong Horse Racing Festival, Xiba Bearbaiting Festival and Nianggulasu Festival.

Great Festivals in Nyingchi Prefecture – Barqude Songzhu Festival

Barqude Songzhu Festival is a religious activity held by the largest monastery in Nyingchi Prefecture - Barqude Monastery in Lang County in April in Tibetan Calendar. The content of Barqude Songzhu Festival focuses on religious dance. The festival will last for four days. In the first three days, there are performances of religious dance. On the fourth day, there is the ceremony of Living Buddha Touching Head.

Great Festivals in Nyingchi Prefecture – Wangkor Festival in Lang County

"Wangkor" means circumambulate fields in Tibetan language. In the area of Lhasa River and middle stream of Yarlung Zanpo River, Tibetans will hold grand Wangkor Festival in June when crop is mature. On the day of Wangkor Festival, each family will send a person to circumambulate fields with festival clothes after prestigious man in the village. Then, Tibetans will hold various activities to celebrate harvest and thank God for good weather.

Great Festivals in Nyingchi Prefecture – Songzong Horse Racing Festival

The Songzong Horse Racing Festival is held by Tashi Qulin Monastery in Songzong Town, Bome County from May 15th to May 16th in Tibetan Calendar. It is a folk traditional festival integrating religious activities, cultural activities and sports activities. On Horse Racing Festivals, riders will wear Hada, and horses will wear red flower. The equestrianship in the festival is very wonderful. Other local Tibetans will wear national clothes to dance Bome "Guozhuang" in a circle with hand in hand. The scene of thousands people dancing together is very grand and lively.

Great Festivals in Nyingchi Prefecture - Xiba Bearbaiting Festival

The Xiba Bearbaiting Festival in Duoji Country, Bome is held on June 15th in Tibetan Calendar. It is a folk traditional activity held by Xiba Village which is at the foot of a holy mountain. Until now, this festival has over hundreds years' history. The content of this festival is very rich and wonderful, and the style is very special. The whole festival mainly focuses on bearbaiting, suppressing bear and releasing bear, integrating short act, folk song and dance. It spreads the idea of protecting wild animals and keeping the balance of ecology. It fully shows local people's concept of keeping harmony with nature.

Great Festivals in Nyingchi Prefecture – Nianggulasu Festival

The "Nianggulasu" is the transliteration of Tibetan language. Nianggulasu Festival is one of traditional festival in Bon Religion. Until now, it has over 600 years' history. On August 10th in Tibetan Horse Year, local Tibetans from Kasemu, Nichi, Daze, Zipu and other villages and pilgrims from other districts will gather at Kasemu Village to hold religious activities, including sacrificing Buddha, religious dance, dancing folk "Bo" Dance, dancing Yak Dance, etc. All of these activities mainly aim at dispelling evils, celebrating harvest and praying for good weather. In general, the Nianggulasu Festival will last for two or three days.