Monlam Festival (New Year's Festival, Losar) in Repkong (Tongren)

Tongren is called “Repkong” in Tibetan and means the golden valley where the dream comes true. In 2009, Repkong art was added to the list of World Intangible Cultural Heritage. With strong religious art style and folk style, the Repkong art is characterized by painting, sculpture, pile embroidery and so on.

There are 35 Tibetan Buddhism monasteries that are presented by Longwu Monastery. Among of them, Longwu Monastery, Upper Wutun Monastery, Lower Wutun Monastery, Nianduhu Monastery and the Gomar Monastery are national cultural heritage site and boast strong Tibetan Buddhism Culture.

The Monlam Festival originates from the prayer festival that was held in 1409 by Buddhist master Tsongkhapa in the Jokhang Monastery in Lhasa. It lasted 15 days from the evening of January 3rd to January 17th.

Repkong Monlam Festival is held in Repkong (Tongren) County that is known as the “Homeland of Thangka”. There are main programs:

“Thanksgiving Breakfast” in Gomar Monastery
Thangka Festival in Gomar Monastery (unfolding of the Thangka with Buddha image)
Maitreya procession in Lower Wutun Monastery
Mask dance (Cham) in Lower Wutun Monastery
Mask dance (Cham) in Gomar Monastery

China Tours Including Monlam Festival (New Year's Festival, Losar) in Repkong (Tongren)
https://www.tibet-tours.com/656-Monlam-Festival-Tour-in-Tongren-Langmusi-Luqu-Zhuoni-Xiahe-2021.html
https://www.tibet-tours.com/755-Monlam-Festival-Tour-in-Tongren-Langmusi-Luqu-and-Aba-in-Amdo-2021.html

Photo by Prof. Hans Foerst