Experience Losar Feb 2027: Tibetan New Year & Monlam Festivals

Losar, the Tibetan New Year, is a vibrant celebration that invites you to experience a rich tapestry of culture and tradition. While it’s a time for family gatherings indoors, it also offers a unique opportunity to venture out and witness stunning customs, such as Cham dances and Thankha displays, alongside the warm-hearted people in the monasteries of each village or region. This celebration, known as Monlam, allows you to join in the festivities and immerse yourself in the joyous spirit of Losar and Monlam, where every moment is filled with color and life. Embrace the excitement and create unforgettable memories during this special time!

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About the Monlam

This festival is called Monlam Chenmo in Tibetan. Monlam means “to pray,” and Chenmo means “great”—so together, it’s “The Great Prayer Festival,” a time filled with hope, joy, and renewal. You’ll find it happening just about everywhere across Tibet during this time of year, and the places listed below are truly the best of the best for experiencing its vibrant spirit.
Monlam Chenmo is both a deeply spiritual celebration and a lively social gathering, taking place alongside the uplifting Tibetan New Year festivities. It lasts for over ten days, and even though it’s a tradition that goes back hundreds of years, it’s still wonderfully alive and thriving in many parts of Tibet. The places where this unique culture remains strongest—and most joyfully celebrated—are Rebgong in Qinghai, Luqu in Gansu, Taktsang Lhamo, and Ngawa in Sichuan province.

 
Rebgong is the heart and soul of Amdo’s culture, and it kicks off Monlam earlier than anywhere else in the region. All across Rebgong, you’ll find countless communities and monasteries, each holding its own Monlam celebration on different days. If you really want to soak it all in, you could spend days here just hopping from one spectacular festival to another. Each monastery puts on three unforgettable days of Monlam: on the first day, a giant Thangka is unveiled; on the second day, there’s a procession honoring the future Buddha; and on the third day, the courtyard comes alive with Cham—the sacred masked dances.- dances

Then comes the Mangja—the public tea offering at Gonmar Monastery. Picture this: ladies carrying steaming hot milk tea in wooden buckets straight from the monastery kitchen, offering it to anyone in the courtyard, tourists included. Just remember to bring your own cup! Along with the tea, you’ll also get a taste of local, homemade bread. Right after the Mangja, the real fun begins—everyone gets ready to catch Sitok (fruits and sweets). Some men climb up to the roof and toss the Sitok into the crowd. Suddenly, a sweet rain of treats falls right over your head, and everyone scrambles to catch as many as they can, as fast as they can. It’s such an exciting, joyful moment for everyone involved.

blowing Dongchen; the bighorn  

Now, the highlight of the festival: the Giant Thangka display. We’re talking about a sacred tapestry about 30 meters high and 20 meters wide—absolutely massive! Most monasteries celebrate Monlam over three days: the first day is dedicated to the Thangka display, the second day features a grand procession of Buddha Maitreya (the future Buddha), and the third day brings the Cham, or masked dances.
But the Thangka display itself is something to behold. Before it is unveiled, a solemn ritual ceremony takes place. Then, about a hundred young boys lift the enormous Thangka onto their shoulders and carry it slowly toward the display wall. As they walk, they chant mantras together—not too loud, not too soft, just a gentle, steady hum that fills the air. It’s a moment that feels both powerful and peaceful at the same time.

Now, the highlight of the festival: the Giant Thangka display. We’re talking about a sacred tapestry about 30 meters high and 20 meters wide—absolutely massive! Most monasteries celebrate Monlam over three days: the first day is dedicated to the Thangka display, the second day features a grand procession of Buddha Maitreya (the future Buddha), and the third day brings the Cham, or masked dances.
But the Thangka display itself is something to behold. Before it is unveiled, a solemn ritual ceremony takes place. Then, about a hundred young boys lift the enormous Thangka onto their shoulders and carry it slowly toward the display wall. As they walk, they chant mantras together—not too loud, not too soft, just a gentle, steady hum that fills the air. It’s a moment that feels both powerful and peaceful at the same time.make a circle before the audiences arrive. 

There are many local kings, each with their own loyal guards. The guards are armed with arrows and long swords, marching proudly toward a big courtyard where the other kings are waiting to join them. Their sacred duty? To protect the monastery and the Dharma itself.
As the day draws to a close, something truly powerful happens. All the guards and the kings escort the monks and mask-dancers in a grand procession to throw the Torma. The Torma is made from tsempa (roasted barley flour) and shaped like a triangle. It’s not just any offering—it’s meant to gather up all the bad spirits, negative energy, and misfortunes of the entire year.
Finally, the Torma is consumed by a large, crackling fire. At the same moment, local people light up firecrackers all around. The air fills with smoke, sound, and a shared sense of release—as if the whole community is breathing out together, ready to welcome a fresh, clean new year.

The New Year events bring all the monks together, and of course, they also reunite with their families and relatives. For months beforehand, the monks train hard as musicians and dancers, pouring their hearts into every step and every note. When the big day finally arrives, the dancers put on their Cham masks and special garments—each outfit carefully made just for them. Every masked dancer, or Cham-pa, represents something sacred: a spirit, a deity, an oracle, a protector of the Dharma—each one with its own story and meaning.
And the music? It’s all live—nothing electronic here. The Cham dancers move to the deep, vibrating rhythm of the giant horn, its low notes shaking the air and guiding every gesture. It’s raw, powerful, and deeply spiritual—a performance that feels less like a show and more like a prayer in motion. to the rhythm of the big, vibrating horn.  

And let’s not forget the girls—they dress up in their beautiful sheepskin garments, adorned with their finest jewels, glittering like stars against the winter air. But the monastery isn’t just a place for sacred rituals and Monlam festivals. It also becomes a lively meeting point for young boys and girls. Between the prayer horns and masked dances, shy smiles are exchanged, glances linger a little longer, and hearts begin to flutter. In many ways, the festival is just as much about community and connection as it is about devotion point for young girls and boys.

The Tibetan  guards in Luqu

Men and women alike show up in their absolute best—dresses and robes adorned with sparkling jewels, every detail carefully chosen. Sheepskin garments are especially popular during the cold winter months and on special occasions like the New Year. There’s something truly beautiful about seeing everyone dressed up, not just to look good, but to honor the celebration and their community. The whole courtyard becomes a living tapestry of color, texture, and tradition.

Monlam Chenmo Programs for 2027

Details

10 Feb – Xining (2,200 m)
Arrive in Xining by flight from Beijing or another Chinese international airport. Upon arrival, you will meet your Tibetan guide and driver, who will escort you to the hotel for rest and acclimatization. Overnight stay at the hotel.

11 Feb – Drive to Rebkong (Tongren)

Embark on a scenic drive to Rebkong (Tongren), with meaningful stops along the way. Visit the stunning Shakhyung Gonpa, a significant Gelukpa monastery located 40 km off the main road, offering breathtaking views of the Machu River. Experience the warmth of local culture by visiting a monk’s home and gaining insight into their daily life. Upon arriving in Rebkong, the cultural heart of Amdo Tibet, you will discover traditional arts such as Thangka paintings, brocade work, and clay sculptures. Enjoy an overnight stay in this vibrant town.

12 Feb – Rebkong: Celebrations at Sangeshong Yagotsang (Wutun)

The rituals begin in the morning, and the Cham (masked dances) start around 10:00 am, continuing until approximately 6:00 or 7:00 pm. Spend the full day observing the Cham Dance. Once the Cham concludes, a Torma throwing ceremony will take place, which occurs at the end of the rituals and includes a large bonfire. Overnight stay in Rebkong.

13 Feb – Gonmar

The atmosphere in Gonmer is quite different from other places. The monks gather for their assembly early in the morning, and local people begin arriving around 9:00 am. Community members—from children to the elderly—come to the monastery courtyard carrying baskets of bread and buckets of milk tea. Everyone present, including tourists, is welcomed and offered tea and bread. This communal meal is soon followed by a ritual ceremony, during which monks dressed in their yellow hats and traditional garments begin the proceedings.

Afternoon – Sangeshong Mamgo Monastery

In the afternoon, at Sangeshong Mamgo Monastery, the giant Thangka (approximately 25×35 meters) is carried to the display area by hundreds of young boys from the village. People rush toward the display area and wait for the unfolding and unveiling of the Shalthang Chenmo (Great Thangka). Overnight stay in Rebkong..

14 Feb – Wang Gya Monastery and Kyangkya Village

In the morning, drive to Wang Gya (Bon) Monastery to observe the Norbu Gaskyil ceremony. In the afternoon, continue to Kyangkya Village to witness the Lurol Festival, a ceremonial dedicated to water spirits (Naga). These two locations feature ceremonies that are distinctly different from those found elsewhere. Overnight stay in Rebgong.

15 Feb – Labrang

Drive to Labrang, which is one of the largest Gelukpa monasteries in Amdo. It was founded by the First Jamyang Shalpa. Distance: 110 km. Overnight stay in Labrang.

16 Feb – Taktsang Lhamo

Visit Kirt Monastery and Lhamo Monastery for sightseeing. Overnight stay in Taktsang Lhamo.

17 Feb – Ngawa (Aba)

Today is also a scenic landscape journey. You will see the first bend of the Machu (Yellow River) and pass through very sparsely populated areas inhabited by Tibetan nomads. Along the way, you will cross the borders of three provinces: Gansu, Qinghai (Golog region), and Sichuan. Ngawa, located in Sichuan Province, is home to approximately 90% Tibetan inhabitants, who maintain a rich cultural identity. It is considered one of the region’s best destinations. Distance: 180 km. Overnight stay in Ngawa..

18 Feb – Ngawa (Cultural Visit)

Today is dedicated to cultural exploration. Ngawa is home to many monasteries representing different Buddhist schools, including Gelukpa, Bon, Nyingmapa, and Jonangpa. Most notably, this day falls during the most special event of the year: the New Year celebration. It is a festival for everyone—from the poor to the rich, nomads to farmers, monks to laypeople, and even animals to spirits. Everything they have is put on display during this Monlam Chenmo (Great Prayer Festival) period. Nowhere else in Tibet as a whole has preserved such living culture so vibrantly. It is a truly marvelous place to be.

Today, both Kriti Monastery and Gonmang Monastery display their giant Thangkas (Buddha images, approximately 25×30 meters in size), crafted from silk, on enormous walls. Thousands of monks and pilgrims gather to witness the displays. Overnight stay in Ngawa.

19 Feb – Ngawa (Festivities and Masked Dances)

Local residents dress in their finest clothing, jewelry, and other available adornments. Men on horseback line the hillsides leading to the site where the main offering takes place. Masked dances are performed at both Kriti Monastery and Gonmang Monastery. The day concludes with the Torma throwing ceremony, which is the most exciting event of the day. Overnight stay in Ngawa.

20 Feb – Ngawa (Butter Scripture Display)

Today features an evening event known in Tibetan as Methok Khyodpa — a butter scripture display. This distinctive Tibetan art form is made entirely from dri (yak) butter. During the day, you will have the opportunity to visit several monasteries and surrounding villages. Overnight stay in Ngawa.There is also interest antiquary market at the heart of the town.

21 Feb – Ngawa (Final Day of Monlam Festival)

Today marks the last day of the Monlam festival. You will visit a distinctive monastery called Nangzhig Monastery, which is a Bon monastery. Bon is the pre-Buddhist religion of Tibet and has been practiced in the region for approximately 5,000 to 6,000 years. Today, the Bon Cham (masked dance) and Torma throwing ceremony will be performed. Your visit to Ngawa concludes with remarkable and exhilarating experiences. Overnight stay in Ngawa..

22 Feb – Drive to Chengdu

Drive towards Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province. Overnight stay in Chengdu.

23 Feb – Drive to Chengdu International Airport and Departure

Drive to Chengdu International Airport for departure.

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