Shoton began centuries ago as a feast at which lay people offered yoghurt to monks emerging from their summer retreat. Over time it grew to include Tibetan opera, or Ache Lhamo, and today it is Lhasa's best-known festival. It runs for about a week from the end of the sixth Tibetan month, which usually means August in the Western calendar, sometimes early September.
On the first morning, crowds climb the hill behind Drepung Monastery in the dark. As the sun rises, monks carry out and unroll an enormous thangka of the Buddha across a framework on the slope, revealing it for a few hours while pilgrims throw khata scarves and offer prayers. Juniper smoke drifts over the crowd, and families share yoghurt and tea. It is a striking sight but a crowded one, with steep paths and tight security.
For the following days, opera troupes perform in the Norbulingka park, the Dalai Lamas' former summer palace, and families picnic under tents in the gardens. Hotels and Potala tickets are in high demand during the festival week, and dates are published only a few months ahead. Check current status before you travel.
Tips
- Start the climb to Drepung around 4–5 am with a headtorch; the thangka unveiling happens at sunrise.
- Book hotels and Potala tickets as early as possible for festival week; prices rise sharply.
- Carry your passport for security checks and keep valuables close in the dense crowd.
Questions travellers ask
When is the Shoton Festival in Lhasa?
Shoton begins on the 30th day of the sixth Tibetan month and lasts about a week, which usually falls in August and occasionally early September. Exact dates are published a few months ahead. Check current status before you travel and book Lhasa hotels early for that week.
Where is the thangka unveiled during Shoton?
The giant thangka is unveiled at dawn on the hillside behind Drepung Monastery, about 8 km west of central Lhasa. Crowds climb up in the dark to see it as the sun rises. The thangka is displayed for a few hours and then rolled up again.
Why is it called the yoghurt festival?
Sho means yoghurt and ton means feast or banquet. The festival began as an occasion for lay people to offer yoghurt to monks at the end of their summer retreat. Families still eat yoghurt during the festival, alongside picnics and Tibetan opera in the Norbulingka.
Can foreigners attend Shoton Festival?
Yes, foreigners on a permitted Tibet tour with a licensed guide can attend the thangka unveiling and the opera at Norbulingka. Expect very large crowds and security checks. Tibet tour permits are in high demand during the festival, so apply early through your agency.
