Songtsen Cultural Tourism Festival Brings Together Tradition, Technology and Rural Products

# Pasang Lhamu

The second Songtsen Cultural Tourism Festival has been held in Maizhokunggar County of Lhasa City in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, bringing together centuries-old cultural heritage, plateau landscapes, traditional arts, sports and modern tourism.

The festival featured technology-based presentations, displays of intangible cultural heritage, traditional sports competitions, plateau cuisine, rural cultural exchanges and tourism promotion activities.

According to the organisers, the event sought to present ancient culture alongside contemporary lifestyles while showcasing Maizhokunggar’s cultural identity, natural environment and development momentum. It is also expected to improve the quality of local tourism, support rural revitalisation and expand markets for distinctive local products.

Shen Fengli, secretary of the Maizhokunggar County Party Committee, said at the opening ceremony that Songtsen culture served as the festival’s central theme, while golden rapeseed flowers were promoted as a major attraction.

He invited visitors to explore ancient routes with a history spanning more than a thousand years, sample local beverages and cuisine, and enjoy traditional opera and modern dance performances.

The festival created a cultural dialogue between history and the present by combining traditional arts with contemporary performances. The Qinhuai District Cultural Centre and the Xiaohonghua Art Troupe from Nanjing performed jointly with the Songtsen Art Troupe.

Cultural teams from partner counties and districts also appeared on the same stage, strengthening ties through artistic and cultural exchanges. Organisers said the event further developed the spirit of regional cooperation and cultural interaction that has continued for three decades.

Separate exhibition and sales areas were established for traditional clothing, intangible cultural heritage items and specialised agricultural products. Maizhokunggar rapeseed oil, locally produced yak meat and traditional incense were among the products that attracted considerable visitor interest.

Organisers said the display and sale of local products alongside cultural activities helped convert cultural appeal into economic opportunities. The initiative is expected to support heritage preservation, tourism promotion, local industry and income growth among rural residents.

The festival presented a multidimensional model linking culture, tourism and local industry. It aimed to promote local identity, improve living standards and open new development opportunities by integrating traditional heritage with modern tourism.

According to the organisers, cultural festivals of this kind will inject new vitality not only into Maizhokunggar but also into the broader tourism development of Lhasa City.