Lhasa Shoton Festival: Tibetan opera has deep roots among the people

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To Lhasa, the capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, where elite opera troupes are performing to the public during the annual Shoton Festival. The shows include singing, dancing and improvised comedy. Zheng Yibing reports.

Rhythmic and dynamic. Tibetan opera attracts many people in Lhasa and its surrounding areas especially during important celebrations like the Shoton Festival.

ZHENG YIBING LHASA "As with most performers, practitioners of Tibetan dance make it look easy. But off stage, it takes years of grueling practice."

It's included in UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and it incorporates many elements including singing, dancing and acrobatics. Yundansangzhu has been practicing and performing for almost 40 years.

YUNDANSANGZHU TIBETAN OPERA TROUPE LEADER "Tongdong Gyibo, the founder of Tibetan Opera, created this blue mask 600 years ago based on his image and then set a position in every troupe to discipline those who violate the rules."

They practice a lot when they are not doing farm work. And the team members believe the old ways of making costumes are the best ways. For them, it's a deep love.

BAIMA TIBETAN OPERA TROUPE MEMBER "I've loved dancing since I was a child. I learned dancing and singing and I love them. That's why I was selected for this troupe."

A Tibetan opera show can last for hours and even days. It needs a good memory and a superb physique, particularly at this altitude.

YUNDANSANGZHU TIBETAN OPERA TROUPE LEADER "We will have new members soon, and we will pass on our traditional culture to the next generation."

There are more than 150 such troupes in Tibet. For them, performing is a tradition, a need and a love. Zheng Yibing, CGTN, Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region.