Shoton Festival: Buddha display and Tibetan opera highlight annual festival

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The Shoton Festival has begun in the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region. From giant paintings to opera performances, the festival is using both old and new practices to attract visitors. CGTN's Yang Jinghao reports.

This magnificent Thangka painting of Buddha is only exhibited on a special day – on the last day of the sixth month of the Tibetan calendar.

Despite the rain, tens of thousands of believers flocked to Drepung Monastery to witness a ceremony, and to worship Buddha.

JIGPA TSETEN TIBETAN RESIDENT "I come to watch the ceremony almost every year, as we Tibetans believe in Buddhism. I hope I will be blessed with a safe and wonderful year by showing my sincerity to Buddha."

The unveiling of the massive Thangka, which measures 40-meters long and 37-meters wide, signals the start of the annual Shoton Festival. Believers and tourists alike line up to accept blessings from monks while offering the Hada, a ceremonial Tibetan scarf, to Buddha as a mark of respect.

PAOLA ROSSI ITALIAN TOURIST "It's wonderful and very very particular, because we come from Italy, the culture is very very different, so it's very natural that we feel particular sensation."

YANG JINGHAO LHASA "The Buddha exhibition is of course an important part of the feast. Tibetan opera performances -- combining dance, chanting, and songs, and displaying painted masks -- are another must-see at the festival."

Dating back some 600 years, this unique art form will be performed throughout the week-long festival. A competition has attracted many from across the region, mostly local herds people, to participate.

KELSANG DOLKER TIBETAN OPERA PERFORMER "I've performed Tibetan opera for more than seven years. For me, the most challenging part is the special singing style, but I'll persist and try to make improvements."

Though the art form was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2009 and is still a highlight of the festival, long-time performers are still concerned about how it can be passed down.

TANPA DAJI TIBETAN OPERA PERFORMER "It's a fact that a growing number of young people are losing interest in opera, but I'm confident there will be more excellent successors through our efforts."

With some new and innovative activities being added this year, the festival is expected to become a stimulus for the region's fast-growing tourism industry. Yang Jinghao, CGTN, Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region.