Editor's Note:
The annual Shoton Festival, or the Yogurt Drinking Festival (Shoton means Yogurt Banquet in Tibetan), one of the oldest and most popular traditional festivals of Tibetans, kicks off at Drepung Monastery in Lhasa on Saturday. As a giant Buddha thangka is hung on the mountain, Tibetan people kneel, pray and offer khata, traditional ceremonial scarves, to the Buddha. Tibetan opera is another traditional way to celebrate this festival, which is being held at Norbulingka, and the opera performance will last for a week. (Photos: Li Hao/GT)
People hang up a giant Buddha thangka on the mountain slope during the 2018 Shoton Festival, at Drepung Monastery in Lhasa, Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on Saturday. (Photo: Li Hao/GT) 
People attend the 2018 Shoton Festival at Drepung Monastery in Lhasa, Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on Saturday. (Photo: Li Hao/GT) 
Aerial view of the opening of the 2018 Shoton Festival at Drepung Monastery in Lhasa, Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on Saturday. (Photo: Li Hao/GT) 
A giant Buddha thangka can be seen during the 2018 Shoton Festival at Drepung Monastery in Lhasa, Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on Saturday. (Photo: Li Hao/GT) 
Tibetans pray during the 2018 Shoton Festival at Drepung Monastery in Lhasa, Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on Saturday. (Photo: Li Hao/GT) 
Devotèes attend the 2018 Shoton Festival, at Drepung Monastery in Lhasa, Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on Saturday. (Photo: Li Hao/GT) 
People eat yogurt during the 2018 Shoton Festival, at Drepung Monastery in Lhasa, Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on Saturday. (Photo: Li Hao/GT) 
Performers wear traditional costume for Tibetan opera at Norbulingka, Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on Saturday. Tibetan opera is a traditional way of celebrating the festival. (Photo: Li Hao/GT) 
A performer dresses up for Tibetan opera performance at Norbulingka, Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on Saturday. Tibetan opera is a traditional way to celebrate the Shoton Festival. (Photo: Li Hao/GT) 
Performers sport traditional costumes for Tibetan opera performance at Norbulingka, Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on Saturday. Tibetan opera is a traditional way of celebrating the Shoton Festival. (Photo: Li Hao/GT) 
Dancers with traditional costumes perform Tibetan opera at Norbulingka, Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on Saturday. Tibetan opera is a traditional way to celebrate the Shoton Festival. (Photo: Li Hao/GT) 
Tibetan opera is performed at Norbulingka, Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region on Saturday. (Photo: Li Hao/GT) 
Children take part in the Shoton Festival at Norbulingka, Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on Saturday. (Photo: Li Hao/GT) 
Visitors with traditional costumes take part in the Shoton Festival at Norbulingka, Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on Saturday. (Photo: Li Hao/GT)
