The activity of camping out in the lingka (woods) along the Lhasa River is called "playing in the lingka" or the "lingka festival." According to tradition, the lingka festival starts from the Sa-kya Dawa festival, on the 15th day of the fourth month by the Tibetan calendar, reaches its climax at the Incense Festival, on the 15th day of the fifth month, and the Xodoin Festival, on the first day of the seventh month, and ends at the Bathing Festival, early in the eighth month.

The activities at the festival are varied and colorful, centered on worshipping the gods and recreation.Every time the festival comes round, the Tibetans dress in their best clothes and rush to the lingka in Lhasa. The roads are crowded with automobiles, bicycles and horses carrying people, food and cooking facilities to the woods. Every family set up a tent in the woods. Most of the tents are white, with simple decorations. People set up cooking facilities, chairs and tables, on which they place all kinds of food, dishes and beverages. They sing, dance, tell stories, play games and drink day and night. Sometimes, they watch films, artistic performance and Tibetan opera. Many take part in sports competitions. In recent years, these activities have become more and more colorful; color TVs, videorecoders, karaoke machines and electronic games have all moved into the tents.


When
Mid of the fourth month to early days in the eighth month(Tibetan calendar).

Where
Lingka

Tip
The fifth month by the Tibetan calendar is the best season for lingka.

Link
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