Tibetan culture celebrated on the prairies

Updated: 2016-07-27
By Li Xiaoxu ( chinadaily.com.cn )

The 17th China Gannan Shambhala Tourism Festival, a significant folk festival for Tibetan ethnic group in Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture in Gansu kicked off on July 17 and will last to the end of July, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Tibetan riders patrol the prairie on horseback. [Photo/Xinhua]

The tourism and art festival will feature an international photography competition, Chinese ethnic minorities' tourism image ambassador contest, folk costume exhibitions, traditional ethnic sports, a thousand horses cruise and prairie bonfire party.

"Shambhala" means "paradise" or "pure land" in the Tibetan language, and the Shambhala festival is an important event for Tibetan people to show off their culture and attract worldwide visitors.

Thousands of Tibetan people perform a traditional dance at the grassland of the Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture in Gansu on July 17. [Photo/Xinhua]

Gannan Tibet autonomous prefecture

The Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture is one of ten Tibetan autonomous prefectures in China. It's located on the northeast edge of the Qing-Tibetan Plateau, ranging from 1,100 to 4,900 meters above sea level. The 395,900 ethnic Tibetan people account for 54.2 percent of the population.

Performers stage a Tibetan drama at the opening ceremony of the 17th China Gannan Shambhala Tourism Festival on July 17. [Photo/Xinhua]

Competitive industries

The good ecological environment of the Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture provides the region with beautiful natural landscapes, rich national characteristics and special folk customs. There are 14 national-level scenic spots in the autonomous prefecture, which receive 2.44 million domestic and international visitors each year.

More information about Gannan

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/gansu/2013-10/17/content_17039837.htm

Edited by Owen Fishwick