Shangri La New Year Festival Losar

Early in the morning we go to Songtsanlin Monastery of the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) School, one of the most important Buddhist centers in Yunnan, inhabited by approximately 700 monks. The Tibetan New Year Festival will take place on the 4th of March 2007. Countless believers gather at the monastery to pray for good fortune. Afterwards the statue of Maitreya (Buddha of the future) will be carried in procession around the monastery. Have dinner in a restaurant serving excellent Tibetan food. This day is the centerpiece of the trip - a real insider's tip not many people know about so you will meet very few other tourists. Furthermore you gain an insight into the unique and fascinating culture of Tibetan Buddhism in Northern Yunnan as your guide will explain the festivities to you and describe the actual situation of Buddhism in China.