Cultural and Spiritual Wonders of Tibet: A Traveler’s Perspective

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If you want to travel to Tibet and dive into the country’s culture and spirituality, get in touch with our team here at Tibet Shambhala Adventure. We designed our Tibet Festival Tours to give you a firsthand experience of this sacred land’s vibrant traditions. Our team will make sure that you experience Tibet like never before — from witnessing religious ceremonies to enjoying local celebrations!

Join the Shoton Festival

One of the most exciting festivals you can take part in during your travel to Tibet is the Yogurt Festival (called Shoton). Held annually in Lhasa, this centuries-old celebration melds spiritual tradition with entertainment. The name “Shoton” actually combines Sho (meaning yogurt) and Don (meaning banquet), and it started in the 11th century, when religious offerings of yogurt were sent to monks. This humble tradition grew into one of Tibet’s most spectacular festivals over time.

When you travel to Tibet during the Shoton Festival, you’ll see firsthand how the city of Lhasa comes alive. The festival kicks off in August or early September in Norbulingka — the former summer palace of the Dalai Lama — where locals and travelers gather for days of festivities.

The giant Thangka display is one of the festival’s main attractions, and this is a time. On the first day, you’ll see a massive silk Thangka unfurled on the hillside of Drepung Monastery, and another giant Thangka is revealed at Sera Monastery later. These sacred images draw thousands of pilgrims and visitors who seek blessings from the stunning artwork. The sight of these enormous Thangkas against the majestic Himalayan backdrop will leave you speechless!

The Shoton Festival also showcases Tibetan opera and traditional performances. From the second day onward, you can enjoy Tibetan opera at Norbulingka and the Dragon King Pond behind the Potala Palace. These performances are a central part of the festival and run from morning until evening.

Locals gather with family and friends during the festival, spreading out mats and drinking butter tea or barley beer (called “chang” in Tibetan). They watch the opera and spin prayer wheels to create a spiritual and joyful atmosphere. Life in Lhasa feels especially magical during this time! You’ll even see opera troupes from regions like Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, and Yunnan, all performing their best to compete and refine their art.

Celebrate New Year in Tibet

The Tibetan New Year (known as Losar) is one of the most ancient festivals in Tibet, tracing its origins back to pre-Buddhist Bön traditions when locals would hold a spiritual ceremony every winter. They offered incense to appease local spirits and deities — a ritual that later transformed into a Buddhist celebration under Tibet’s ninth king. It’s widely believed that an old woman named Belma — who introduced the lunar calendar — played a huge role in shaping the modern festival.

The festival changed as Tibetans began cultivating land, refining iron, and building bridges — capabilities that were celebrated with what is now known as Losar. The great thing about Losar is that although it shares its timing with Chinese and Mongolian New Year due to the introduction of astrology based on the five elements, it remains uniquely Tibetan, with roots that predate both Indian and Chinese influences.

Losar is celebrated for 15 days. The main festivities take place during the first three days when families make a traditional drink called Changkol (a type of beer brewed from barley). The second day is known as King’s Losar and is a time of grand celebration throughout Tibet — from the cities to the smallest villages. People celebrate with horse racing, folk dances, wrestling, and religious activities. The festival is colorful and filled with the sounds of traditional music, and the air is rich with incense and butter lamps!

If you want to experience Losar at its fullest, Lhasa is the place to be. Pilgrims from all over the region flood the streets to make offerings at temples like Jokang and Drepung. Everywhere you look, Tibetans wear their finest traditional clothes and add vibrancy to the celebration!

Join a mountain trail run in Tibet.

For the adventure seekers among you, we invite you to join us on the Shambhala Roof of the World Trail Run — a 15-day mountain trail race through some of Tibet’s most breathtaking landscapes. Seasoned athletes, as well as casual runners, join this event to experience running on the “roof of the world.”

We first launched the Shambhala Roof of the World Trail Run in 2018, and it quickly gained global attention. Over 100 participants from countries like France, Switzerland, the US, and China took part in the first race. It was such a hit that we ran another race shortly after and attracted even more participants.

If you’re interested in this adventure through the heart of Tibet — or in any of our cultural and spiritual tours — get in touch with our team to book your spot!

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