Thangka adorns hillside during Shoton

A painting of the Buddha, or a thangka, that is 37-by-40 meters, is placed on display at Drepung Monastery in Lhasa, the Tibet autonomous region, on Monday. [Photo by Feng Yongbin/China Daily]

Celebrations of the annual Shoton Festival began in Lhasa, the Tibet autonomous region, on Monday.

The seven-day event got underway at Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery of Tibetan Buddhism's Gelug Sect, where a large thangka painting of the Buddha was put on display.

The festival has three main parts: the Great Buddha Display, Tibetan Opera Show and Horsemanship and Yak Race Show.

"I was excited when I was asked to perform Tibetan Opera at the gala. This is the first time I have come to Lhasa to perform," said Losang, 30, from Shannan.

"Farming is my everyday job, and I only perform opera during galas. I am thrilled that the festival provides an opportunity for me to mingle with other Tibetan Opera performers," he added.