Ahead of the Losar New Year festival, business is booming in Lhasa, Tibet autonomous region, as Tibetans gear up to celebrate one of their most important holidays.

 

Stalls were swamped as people prepared to usher in the Year of the Rabbit on Losar New Year, which will fall on Feb 21 this year. Residents thronged one of the biggest wholesale markets in Lhasa, the Tromzikhang Shopping Mall, making purchases. Stalls selling yak meat, wooden bowls, butter, candy, dried fruit, prayer flags and handmade pastries could be seen everywhere.

 

Local products from elsewhere across the region are being sold in different markets. Chile powder from Chamdo, mutton and cheese from Shigatse, dried yak jerky from Nagchu and pork from Nyingchi are popular items on people's shopping lists.

By DAQIONG and PALDEN NYIMA in Lhasa