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Definitive Guide to Shoton Festival in Tibet for 2025

Sep 29, 2025 11:15 By Lewis

Nothing is more attractive than an experience in the Tibetan tradition festival to feel the passion of Tibetans. In this coming summer, the grand Shoton Festival will be held in Lhasa. It’s exactly an optimum chance to immerse yourself in original Tibetan’s life. The opening ceremony of the 2025 Shoton Festival will start on August 23, and will end on August 29. Many tourists specifically choose to travel to Tibet during this time period so as to better understand the local customs and practices in Tibet. Learn some information about Shoton Festival, so you can set about preparing your travel plan. According to the Tibetan interpretation, Shoton Festival is a festival for eating yogurt, so it is also called the "Yogurt Festival", which means you are sure to amply taste the Tibetan yogurt.

Definitive Guide to Shoton Festival in Tibet for 2025

Buddha Unfolding in Drepung Monastery

Shoton Festival start with the Thangka unveiling ceremony. The monks will slowly carry a huge Buddha Thangka out of Drepung Monastery. Thangka is usually tens of meters long and about ten meters wide. With the sound of Dharma trumpets and chanting sutras, the ceremony will officially begin. The monks and the believers will pray together for blessings. The Thangka is slowly unfolding. The ceremony of Buddha Unfolding is not only a religious activity, but also an important way for the Tibetans to express their respect for the Buddha and pray for auspiciousness.

Definitive Guide to Shoton Festival in Tibet for 2025

Tibetan Opera in Norbulingka

Norbulingka, a royal garden located in Lhasa, is transformed into a Tibetan opera hall during the Shoton Festival. Tibetan opera performance teams come together here to present a wonderful Tibetan opera show for Tibetans and tourists. Walking through the lush forests and pavilions of Norbulingka, you seem to be in a mobile stage, and you may encounter a moving story at every corner.

Celebrate Linka with a Picnic

During Shoton Festival, Tibetans will wear festive costumes, and go to Norbulingka, the Lhasa River or the park to enjoy the natural beauty of the outdoors with family and friends. Everyone will spread carpets or Tibetan rugs under the shade of trees and sit together to enjoy a leisurely time. On this occasion, you can enjoy yogurt, highland barley wine, butter tea, Tibetan snacks, etc. You can sing, dance, and play Tibetan cards on the grass.

Definitive Guide to Shoton Festival in Tibet for 2025

Tips for the Shoton Festival

Thangka unveiling ceremony is at the break of dawn, so you have to get up very early to see the moment of Buddha unfolding. Bring a moisture-proof cushion to make you feel more comfortable during the ceremony. Sera Monastery will also hold unveiling ceremony. Although the scale is not as large as Drepung Monastery, it is easier without climbing mountains.

It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes, pay attention to sun protection and carry rain gear.

The temperature difference between day and night is large, remember to take a thick coat to prevent catching a cold.

Tibetan opera performances will take a long time. It is recommended to take a small portable bench.

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34 Comment ON "Definitive Guide to Shoton Festival in Tibet for 2025"

Jun 21, 2024 2:17
Asked by Ke** from Singapore

Cycling Tour to Mt Kailash

Hi , we are planning a Cycling Trip once Tibet opens for Tourism. The plan is we shall arrive to Kathmandu , travel to the border and enter via Kerung. Can you pls send a day to day Itinerary starting from Kerung - Lake Manasarovar - Darchen - Asthapath. We shall go around Kailash on foot and resume Cycling back to Kerung. We are a Group of 6-8 persons. Thanks Pls send ur reply to Kevin

Jun 21, 2024 2:17
Answered by Tibet Vista

Thanks for your inquiry. Our travel expert will send you a detailed itinerary according to your plan and help you arrange the best trip. Please check your email box.

Jun 21, 2024 12:30
Asked by Debo** from USA

Please can you tell me the prices and dates for the Tibet Luxury Tour.

Also, could you please provide a detailed itinerary - I want to see how many hours are spent on buses/vehicles. Thank you! Deborah

Jun 21, 2024 12:31
Answered by Tibet Vista

Thank you for your inquiry. Travel time by vehicle depends on your route. For tours outside Lhasa, it often involves several hours of driving, with opportunities for short stops in local villages. Our one-on-one travel consultant will contact you to learn more about your plans and provide detailed schedules based on your route.

Jun 20, 2024 6:59
Asked by S** from HongKong

Tibet Tour from HK

May I know if holding Mainland Travel Permit for HK Residents. is it also need to get the visa permit to Tibet and what is the procedure if need to apply? Thank you

Jun 20, 2024 7:00
Answered by Tibet Vista

Dear Shek, Thank you for reaching out and we are here to help. For Hong Kong residents that want to travel to Tibet, a Tibet Travel permit is not required, as long as you have the HKSAR passport, as well as the Home Return Permit (HRP). Officially known as the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, the HRP can be issued to Chinese nationals that are permanent residents of Hong Kong in order to enter mainland China. Cheers!

Jun 20, 2024 2:30
Asked by Na** from USA

Is Kailash Mansarovar Trip open for Indian Passport Holder?

Is it open for Indian Passport Holder?

Jun 20, 2024 2:30
Answered by Tibet Vista

Dear Nayak, Thank you for reaching out! We're here to help. Well, for Indian passport holders who plan to visit Mt. Kailash, you have to book your Tibet tour with a licensed Nepali or Indian travel agency that is authorized by the Foreign Affairs Office of TAR or Pilgrim Center (also known as Tibet-India Pilgrim Reception Center) to get your Tibet Travel Permit and run your Tibet tour. If you are an Indian origin who lives outside of India and have another passport, let's say a US or Canadian passport, in this case, we can help you get the Tibet Travel Permit and other travel documents and arrange the Mt. Kailash tours for you.

Jun 16, 2024 9:40
Asked by A** from Singapore

Enquiry on private tour

We are planning a trip from Hong Kong to Tibet during the 12th to 21st of April. We want a private tour that covers all the scenic places as well as the EBC. Please advise an itinerary along with the cost breakdown. Thanks.

Jun 16, 2024 9:40
Answered by Tibet Vista

Dear Azmi, Thanks for your inquiry. A viable option is to fly from HK to Chengdu and later take Chengdu-Lhasa train to Lhasa. You may enjoy the Lhasa to EBC tour from Lhasa to Gyantse, Shigatse, and EBC, which is the most popular itineraries in Tibet. Our travel consultants will have a detailed discussion with you and give you an accurate quotation. Looking forward to seeing you in Lhasa. Best Wishes.

Jun 15, 2024 11:14
Asked by Na** from Canada

We would like to take the train from Xining to Lhasa

Hello We are a family of 3 (2 adults, 1 child) and would like to visit Tibet again in 2025. We would like to take the train from Xining to Lhasa, then stay in Lhasa and mostly just walk around Barkhor, but also visit 3 monasteries: Sera (by bus), Drak Yerpa (by pilgrimage bus) and Tschokhang. We would like to stay in Lhasa for 10 days total, then leave by plane. Can you arrange a permit for this trip for us (3 Canadians)? Best regards, Brigitte Mueller

Jun 15, 2024 11:14
Answered by Tibet Vista

Dear Nancy, We appreciate your message and are here to help. Of course, it is our great privilege to arrange a private Lhasa family tour for your family and help you secure the Tibet Travel Permit and Xining-Lhasa train ticket to Lhasa. Our friendly travel consultants will discuss with you for more details and help you plan an uplifting Tibet tour. Cheers!
Jun 15, 2024 11:12
Asked by Gr** from Canada

The "Tibet Entry Permit" should be apply

I heard from my friend that says there is difference between the above mentioned are: "Individual Tibet Entry Permit" - Individual Entering Tibet is granted. "Group Tibet Entry Permit" - Anyone from the group is Absent, the whole group is deny entry. May I know which one is the correct facts?

Jun 15, 2024 11:12
Answered by Tibet Vista

Tibet Travel Permit, the required travel document for entering Tibet Autonomous Region, has no distinction between individual and group. . What your friends might have mentioned is the Group Visa, specifically required for entry into Tibet from Nepal. You'll have to apply for the Group Visa at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, and you'll need at least four people in your group. You'll all have to enter and leave Tibet together. But if you're entering Tibet from mainland China, you don't need this group thing. Our travel consultant will contact you with more details and help you arrange your trip to Tibet.
Jun 15, 2024 11:10
Asked by Tam** from Singapore

Sightseeing Potala Palace

I would like to travel to Tibet in September 2024 from Kathmandu. Sightseeing Potala Palace, Jokhang temple and many more.

Jun 15, 2024 11:10
Answered by Tibet Vista

Dear Tamang, We appreciate your message and are here to help. September is a perfect time to travel from Kathmandu to Tibet. You can sign up for our 8-day Kathmandu to Lhasa overland small group tour via Gyirong, EBC and Shigatse. This tour has fixed departures on Sept 6/13/20/27 and you can travel with other global travelers to share the tour cost. Another great option is to fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa and book the 8-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Small Group Tour to admire the majestic Himalayan range and travel across Lhasa and Shigatse, two of the biggest cities in Tibet. For both ways, our travel agents will help you get your Tibet Travel Permit and other travel documents needed and arrange the accommodations, local expert guide, etc. based on your travel preferences and interests. Cheers!
Jun 15, 2024 11:06
Asked by Ka** from Singapore

plan to travel to Mount Kailash

Hi I am Indian residing in Singapore and plan to travel to Mount Kailash in first week of September. I am all by myself and would like to join any travel group. How do i apply for tibet visa? How do i apply for Chinese visa? Could you help me with Travel Itinerary? Regards.

Jun 15, 2024 11:06
Answered by Tibet Vista

Dear Kadam, We appreciate your message and are here to help. If you are an Indian national with a Singapore passport, you can sign up for our 15-day Kailash and Manasarova Small Group Tour that departs on Sept, 1st. Firstly, you need to go to the Chinese Embassy in Singapore and fill out the application form to apply for the Chinese Visa yourself. After you get your Chinese Visa, you are expected to email the photos of your Singapore passport information page and Chinese Visa page to us to apply for Tibet Travel Permit on your behalf. Remember to do this at least 20 days before your departure to Tibet. We will manage to deliver the Tibet Travel Permit to your hotel in the Chinese arrival city. So, you can show the Tibet Permit and board the flight or train to Lhasa. Our expert travel agents will offer you more details and help you plan a seamless Lhasa to Mt. Kailash tour. Cheers!
Jun 15, 2024 11:04
Asked by Nyen** from India

Lhasa potala place visit and monastery visit

Lhasa potala place visit and monastery visit, we are three people and 2 adults and 1 infant 2 Indian Passport and 1 Nepal passport. we have applied for a China visa also.

Jun 15, 2024 11:04
Answered by Tibet Vista

Dear Nyendak, Thank you for reaching out! Well, if you have applied a China Visa, a great option is to email the image of your Chinese visa page to us and we can help you apply for Tibet Travel Permit on your behalf. So, you can fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa for Tibet visit. A recommended tour for you is 5 Days Lhasa and Yamdrok Lake Small Group Tour where you can visit the landmarks of Tibetan monasteries in Lhasa and explore the holy turquoise Yamdrok Lake on a short excursion. Another important thing to consider is that due to the high elevation and thin air in Tibet, do consult a doctor to decide if it is safe to bring the infant to Tibet for travel with you. Our expert travel consultants will discuss more with you and help you plan a perfect Tibet journey. Cheers!

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