People visit a giant thangka exhibition in the Sera Monastery of Lhasa, the Xizang autonomous region, marking the start of the annual Shoton Yogurt Festival on Saturday. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

Celebrations marking the traditional Shoton Festival, or Yogurt Festival, began in Lhasa, capital of the Xizang autonomous region, on Saturday.

The monasteries of Drepung and Sera in Lhasa held grand ceremonies to display giant thangkas, religious images embroidered in silk, on the monastery hillsides, signaling the start of the festival.

A child tastes locally produced yak yogurt in Lhasa, the Xizang autonomous region on Saturday, marking the start of the annual Shoton Festival of Lhasa. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

In the early hours of the morning, thousands of locals and tourists braved the rain in long lines to worship and view the giant thangkas. Local residents presented white khada — a traditional Tibetan scarf symbolizing purity and auspiciousness, to the sacred artwork when they arrived at the site.

The Shoton Festival is considered one of the most important festivals in Lhasa. During the festival, local residents spend time together in the gardens or in various outdoor places, consume yogurt and watch Tibetan opera performances and horse racing.

Activities held during the festival also include Buddha image exhibition ceremonies, Tibetan opera performances, picnics in the Norbu Lingka Park, equestrian events, and exhibitions and sale of local products.

People trade yogurt in Lhasa, the Xizang autonomous region on Saturday, marking the start of the annual Shoton Festival of Lhasa. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

A Tibetan opera is held in Norbu Lingka Park in Lhasa, the Xizang autonomous region on Saturday, marking the start of the annual Shoton Festival of Lhasa. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

People enjoy picnics in Norbu Lingka Park in Lhasa, the Xizang autonomous region on Saturday, marking the start of the annual Shoton Festival of Lhasa. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]