Recently, the 2015 Yarlung Cultural Festival was opened in Tsethang Town, Lhoka Prefecture of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), Chinanews.com reported.

The festival, themed as "Tibetan origins and destiny – happy Lhoka", aims to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of TAR.

More than 11,500 spectators packed into a local gymnasium to watch the opening ceremony.

Tibetan artists from 12 local folk art troupes performed majestic dance and melodious songs to express praise and blessings for their hometown-- Yarlung.

The performances were divided into four sections, including "Happy Legend", "Happy Years", "Happy Heyday" and "Happy Singing".

A number of activities are scheduled to be carried out during the festival, such as exhibitions on Lhoka's social progress, investment and trade fairs, song and dance performances, and ethnic handicraft fair.

The festival is said to last for a week.

The opening ceremony of the Yarlung Cultural Festival [Photo/Chinanews.com]

The opening ceremony of the Yarlung Cultural Festival [Photo/Chinanews.com]