The rhythmic beat of traditional drums echoed through Yushu on July 24 as 2,500 performers transformed the Qinghai Province city into a living museum of Tibetan culture. The annual "Dashing Khampa People" parade – recognized as national-level intangible cultural heritage – saw participants from Yushu and Nagqu in the Xizang Autonomous Region showcase eight distinct cultural elements through horseback acrobatics, vibrant folk dances, and intricate traditional costumes.
Against the backdrop of Yushu's strategic position at the headwaters of three major Asian rivers, the event highlighted preservation efforts since the area's 2017 designation as a Tibetan cultural ecological protection zone. Spectators witnessed rare displays of Tibetan opera and folk sports, while artisans demonstrated centuries-old craftsmanship techniques passed through generations.
"This isn't just a performance – it's a dialogue between past and present," remarked a local cultural official, noting how the event balances heritage conservation with contemporary expressions of Tibetan identity. The parade routes along Yushu's rebuilt urban center, reconstructed after a 2010 earthquake, symbolized regional resilience and cultural continuity.
