Shoton Festival kicks off in Lhasa

A giant Thangkas of Buddha is unveiled during the Shoton Festival at Drepung Monastery in Lhasa, southwest China's Tibet autonomous region on August 10, 2010. The Shoton Festival begins June 30 on the Tibetan calendar, and lasts a week. It is also known as the Yogurt (Banquet) Festival since locals customarily eat Tibetan yogurt during the gala. "Sho" means yogurt and "ton" means banquet in Tibetan. It has also helped boost Lhasa's tourism in recent years. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]