Set between emerald hills on the Himalayan plateau, some 3,700 metres above sea level, Yushu's annual equine festival is billed as a showcase of Chinese government support for Tibetan culture.
Women were draped in their finest jewellery, wearing beads of turquoise, yellow amber and red coral over flower-patterned traditional dresses known as chuba. Monks in crimson robes flitted through the crowds.
Set between emerald hills on the Himalayan plateau, about 3,700m above sea level, Yushu’s annual horse festival is billed as a showcase of Chinese government support for Tibetan culture.
The Tibetan people of the area — known as Kham — are famed for their equine skills.
Shows of horsemanship and archery are the festival’s main events, drawing hundreds of spectators.
“You can see the Tibetan fashion show, the jewellery, the nice clothes and dancing,” said one Tibetan spectator. “A lot of Chinese tourists and foreigners come to watch.”
But entry to the stadium for the opening ceremony was by ticket only even for locals, with a cordon and metal gates keeping out some would-be attendees — in contrast to the free access of times past, when the event was held on open grassland.
Women were draped in their finest jewellery, wearing beads of turquoise, yellow amber and red coral over flower-patterned traditional dresses known as chuba. Monks in crimson robes flitted through the crowds.
Set between emerald hills on the Himalayan plateau, about 3,700m above sea level, Yushu’s annual horse festival is billed as a showcase of Chinese government support for Tibetan culture.
The Tibetan people of the area — known as Kham — are famed for their equine skills.
Shows of horsemanship and archery are the festival’s main events, drawing hundreds of spectators.
“You can see the Tibetan fashion show, the jewellery, the nice clothes and dancing,” said one Tibetan spectator. “A lot of Chinese tourists and foreigners come to watch.”
But entry to the stadium for the opening ceremony was by ticket only even for locals, with a cordon and metal gates keeping out some would-be attendees — in contrast to the free access of times past, when the event was held on open grassland.
Just beautiful - all your photo stories are lovely!
Sumptuous color. Awesome equestrian skill.
I wish I could visit there...hanks for the super photos!
Sadly, the Tibetans are among some of the most repressed people in the world! I've just returned from Tibetand was horrified at the strong Chinese military presence in Lhasa. And, what most people don't know is that the Chinese government does not allow Tibetans to have passports! The Chinese are slowly smothering the Tibetan culture by insisting that everyone speaks Chinese, signage is in Chinese....and the museum in Lhasa portrays historical version of Tibet according to China's interpretation.