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2026.02.15 21:06 GMT+8

Barkhor Old Town abuzz with festive treats

Updated 2026.02.15 21:06 GMT+8
CGTN

In Barkhor Old Town in Lhasa, shoppers pick out goods at the Tibetan New Year market, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. /CGTN

People flock to a market in Barkhor Old Town to buy Tibetan New Year goods, Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. /CGTN

A shopper buys kasai, a traditional festive pastry, at the Tibetan New Year market in Barkhor Old Town in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. /CGTN

People pick out intangible cultural heritage butter sculptures in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. /CGTN

Colorful sheep's head decorations, symbolizing good fortune, Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. /CGTN

With the approach of Tibetan New Year – which falls on February 18 this year – a festive atmosphere has descended on the snow-covered plateau of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, with people taking to the streets in search of holiday treats. 

At the Tibetan New Year market in the Old Town of Barkhor in Lhasa, the crowds are laughing and chattering as they choose traditional holiday items such as chema boxes, butter sculptures and colorful decorations in the shape of a sheep's head. One particularly popular item that's an essential part of the Tibetan New Year celebrations is kasai, a traditional pastry symbolizing good fortune.

Kasai sold on a street in Lhasa. /CGTN

Colorful varieties of kasai. /CGTN

Dega on sale in Barkhor Old Town in Lhasa. /CGTN

Dega in Barkhor Old Town, Lhasa. /CGTN

Kasai is made by mixing flour, melted refined butter and powdered milk to form a dough. After being kneaded, the dough is pressed into long sheets using a special machine, ensuring that the pastry is smooth and chewy. The pressed dough is cut by hand into different designs, then fried in vegetable or butter oil. Freshly-cooked kasai gives off a rich aroma and has a similar taste to mahua (fried dough twists). Paired with butter tea or sweet tea, kasai is a source of warmth and comfort on cold winter days.

Beside the classic rectangles and squares, kasai also comes in round or petal-shaped shapes. The petal-shaped ones are often decorated with bright colors and intricate patterns to give them additional appeal. Kasai of different varieties and colors are stacked layer by layer into a towering centerpiece adorned with butter, milk dregs, candies and khatas. Known as a dega, this vivid, festive display really captures the spirit of the season.

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