Established in 2001 by the Shigatse municipal government, the festival aims to celebrate the cultural heritage of Himalayan communities and promote sustainable tourism.
[1][2][3] The week-long festival, typically held in September, features Sherpa and Tibetan traditional dances, throat singing performances, and Buddhist rituals honoring mountain deities.
Key activities include guided treks to Everest Base Camp, exhibitions of Thangka art, and debates on alpine conservation.
[6][7][8] UNESCO recognized the festival's role in safeguarding intangible heritage in 2019, citing its documentation of oral histories from elderly Sherpa guides.
[9] However, critics argue that commercialization risks diluting sacred traditions, with luxury tour operators dominating recent editions.