Shoppers browsing and purchasing New Year goods at the festival

In the first light of dawn, the mountain mist had not yet fully dissipated, yet the Dahzi District Public Sports Ground in Lhasa, Xizang, was already buzzing with activity. The 2026 Lhasa Dahzi District Fourth New Year Goods Fair and Convenience Living Festival officially commenced here.

Over 320 stalls spread out like a scattering of stars. The air was thick with a complex aroma—a blend of butter, Tibetan incense, and dried fruits. Intertwined cries of vendors, the sounds of bargaining, and the joyful laughter of children wove together, infusing the market with a vibrant atmosphere. In just seven days, this festive fair attracted approximately 130,000 visitors and achieved total sales of 28.02 million yuan(RMB). This represents not just a leap in figures, but a virtuous cycle of "government sets the stage, merchants profit, and the public benefits."

At the entrance to the sports ground, Tashi Dondrup was showing a staff member his 30 coupon for purchases over 100. "I bought a new Tibetan outfit for my mother and picked up some dried yak meat and Highland barley snacks for the family. It saved me quite a bit," he said happily.

Cheng Chao, Director of the Dagze District Economy and Information Bureau(Commerce Bureau), while assisting citizens with using their consumption coupons, called out: "This time we've distributed over 1.6 million yuan(RMB) worth of consumption coupons, covering dining, retail, and cultural creativity. Everyone, remember to use your coupons when you check out!"

At a yogurt stall, vendor Gyaltsam Dolma was run off her feet. The homemade yak yogurt and butter she brought were in such high demand they couldn't keep up. "Our family participates in the exhibition every year, and it gets more popular each time. Besides our regular customers, I've met many new ones this year," she said. Her rough estimate showed this year's sales were nearly 40% higher than during the previous year's fair.

At the fair's intangible cultural heritage exhibition area, the stall of Silo, inheritor of the Lhasa Cloth Mask Making Technique—an intangible cultural heritage and a representative project of the Xizang Autonomous Region—was completely surrounded by crowds. "I'm so delighted that this traditional craft has gained so much love from young people. Many young folks came to ask about the techniques and the symbolism; some even wanted to try out simple steps of the process." Silo beamed cheerfully.

Pudrom, from Bangdui Township in Dahzi District, brought her homemade highland barley wine, brewed using traditional methods, attracting numerous regular and new customers. Dawa, an entrepreneur born in the 1990s, skillfully combined Tibetan patterns with modern design to create trendy phone cases and canvas bags that became hot favorites among young shoppers. Long lines formed in front of calligraphers' tables, waiting for Spring Festival couplets or handwritten "Fu" characters. The stage, featuring Tibetan opera and folk song performances, drew wave after wave of applause.

Today, New Year shopping has evolved from a household chore fulfilling material needs into a participatory, experiential, immersive festive ritual. Lhoma, strolling with her six-year-old daughter, patiently explained: "This is 'Kasai'—we must have it for the New Year; this is 'Chemar' (the grain bucket)—it symbolizes harvest…" This kind of transmission elevates the New Year Fair far beyond a mere commodity trade show. It has become a public cultural space for preserving ethnic culture, strengthening cultural identity, and creating a festive atmosphere.

As dusk fell, the clamor of the fair gradually faded, yet a warm ambiance lingered. Elderly men and women pulled their small carts loaded with purchases, satisfaction shining on their faces. Children ran and played with newly bought toy windmills. Friends who hadn't seen each other for a while met by chance at a stall, exchanging pleasantries and gifting each other the New Year goods they'd just bought. "It's not just about buying things—it's about 'preparing' for the New Year. Walking around together, picking out items together—that's what really brings out the festive spirit," Sonam Dorje reflected.

When the final string of decorative lights at the Dahzi District Public Sports Ground dimmed, the grand fair concluded as scheduled. But the consumer enthusiasm it ignited, the market confidence it bolstered, and the warmth it left in the hearts of countless business operators and consumers, like melted snow, now gathers strength—a burgeoning new force awaiting the arrival of spring.

Reporters: Lu Lijuan

Translators: Zheng Yujie, Liu Fang

Reviews: Drakpa Wangchen, Phurbu Tsering