As the annual Shoton Festival is approaching this year, all kinds of speculation over the specific time to celebrate have been generated on the Internet. Some says that the festival will be open on August 13, while others say that it will be on August 15. Besides this, the activity duration is also controversial. After the Lhasa Evening News reporter’s verification, it is confirmed that the Shoton Festival will be held from August 14 to August 20 this year, which will last for 7 days.

It is reported that the Shoton Festival was held from August 25 to September 2 last year with the theme of “beautiful home- happy Lhasa”. In accordance with the principles of “safe, characteristic and thrift", the activities were carried out around the three major traditional ones, including “exhibition of Buddha, Tibetan opera and yogurt drinking”. Nine major activities and 13 sub activities include Buddha exhibition in Drepung Monastery, Tibetan opera performances, Thangka art fair, the Qomolangma photographic exhibition, Tibetan cuisine exhibition as well as  real estate fair and exhibition etc.

According to the staff of Lhasa Shoton Office, Shoton Festival shall continue to bring the rich and colorful folk cultural activities for the general public and tourists this year. At the end of July, Lhasa city shall hold a press conference and specific activity plan of this year will be announced by then.