Zhongque Festival

Brief Introduction of Zhongque Festival

Zhongque festival is a traditional festival of Leiwuqi County in Qamdo Prefecture, Tibet. It is with long history and wide influence.

Zhongque Festival means "Sadhana Drubtab Festival" in Tibetan Language. It is held on June 15th in Tibetan Calendar in each year. It is a festival integrating the activities of trade, hiking, performances of song and dance, worshipping holy mountain, etc. The Zhongque Festival started from the year of 1326. Until now, it has over 680 years' history.

Origin of Zhongque Festival

According to legends, in order to celebrate the grant even of Buddhism - completion of Chajiema Great Hall, Wujin Gongbu Master held grand inauguration ceremony to recklessly thank craftsmen of Han nationality, Nepal and Indian who were invited to Tibet and various believers. Buddhism believers came here from everywhere to worship after heard the news. The goods which were used to thank domestic and foreign craftsmen included ox, sheep, hinny and other things, except for gold and silver products, jewelry and some other local special products. Since the distance from Tibet to their hometowns was really very long, craftsmen kept some gold and silver products, jewelry and local special products and sold other things at a bargain price. Consequently, a market was formed. Many local people and merchants gathered there to choose goods. The merchants on Ancient Tea Route found this Business Opportunity. They gathered in Leiwuqi to trade during grand festivals. Later, the custom was accepted through common practice. It gradually changed to a comprehensive festival with religious activity and goods exchange. The Zhongque Festival is with rich trade atmosphere which resulted from the Chajiema Great Hall. It is said that people worshipped the Chajiema Hall during Zhongquejie Festival will realize his wishes in the year.

Celebration of Zhongque Festival

On June 15th in Tibetan Calendar, people will dress gorgeous costumes and take delicious barley wine, bringing along the old and the young, to sacrifice Jiari Holy Mountain and worship various holy relics on the two sides of road. During the festival, except for goods and materials exchange, there are horse racing, tug-of-war, lifting sand bag, as well as performances of Zhuo Dance, Qiangmu Dance, fashion show and other various cultural and sports activities. Now, the celebration ways of Zhongque Festival are with more modern atmosphere. The whole Zhongque Festival is in large scale. The number of participation is very large. In every year, there are over ten thousand people will take part in the Zhongque Festival. Except for local people, merchants and believers in every district of Eastern Tibet, Nagqu Prefecture, Lhasa, Shigatse, Nyingchi, as well as Yushu in Qinghai Province, Ganzi in Sichuan Province, Diqing in Yunnan Province and other districts also come here in succession out of admiration.

If you have Tibet tour in June, you may come across the grand Zhongque Festival in Qamdo Prefecture. There you not only can enjoy the special festival atmosphere, but also can find and buy some special local products for your friends and relatively as tourism souvenirs.