Butter sculptures gain popularity across Lhasa ahead of Tibetan New Year

A craftsman makes a butter sculpture at a workshop in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 12, 2026. Butter sculptures in vivid shapes of trees, flowers, birds, stars, etc., are gradually gaining popularity in the markets across the city ahead of the Tibetan New Year.

These sculptures, made skillfully with colored butter, convey people's good wishes for the New Year. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

People shop for butter sculptures at a stall in a local market in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 12, 2026. Butter sculptures in vivid shapes of trees, flowers, birds, stars, etc., are gradually gaining popularity in the markets across the city ahead of the Tibetan New Year.

These sculptures, made skillfully with colored butter, convey people's good wishes for the New Year. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

A craftsman makes a butter sculpture at a workshop in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 12, 2026. Butter sculptures in vivid shapes of trees, flowers, birds, stars, etc., are gradually gaining popularity in the markets across the city ahead of the Tibetan New Year.

These sculptures, made skillfully with colored butter, convey people's good wishes for the New Year. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

A craftsman promotes butter sculptures at a stall in a local market in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 12, 2026. Butter sculptures in vivid shapes of trees, flowers, birds, stars, etc., are gradually gaining popularity in the markets across the city ahead of the Tibetan New Year.

These sculptures, made skillfully with colored butter, convey people's good wishes for the New Year. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

A craftsman makes a butter sculpture at a workshop in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 12, 2026. Butter sculptures in vivid shapes of trees, flowers, birds, stars, etc., are gradually gaining popularity in the markets across the city ahead of the Tibetan New Year.

These sculptures, made skillfully with colored butter, convey people's good wishes for the New Year. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

A craftsman makes a butter sculpture at a workshop in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 12, 2026. Butter sculptures in vivid shapes of trees, flowers, birds, stars, etc., are gradually gaining popularity in the markets across the city ahead of the Tibetan New Year.

These sculptures, made skillfully with colored butter, convey people's good wishes for the New Year. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

A craftsman makes a butter sculpture in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 12, 2026. Butter sculptures in vivid shapes of trees, flowers, birds, stars, etc., are gradually gaining popularity in the markets across the city ahead of the Tibetan New Year.

These sculptures, made skillfully with colored butter, convey people's good wishes for the New Year. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

A craftsman shows finished butter sculptures at a workshop in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 12, 2026. Butter sculptures in vivid shapes of trees, flowers, birds, stars, etc., are gradually gaining popularity in the markets across the city ahead of the Tibetan New Year.

These sculptures, made skillfully with colored butter, convey people's good wishes for the New Year. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

This photo shows butter sculptures at a workshop in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 12, 2026. Butter sculptures in vivid shapes of trees, flowers, birds, stars, etc., are gradually gaining popularity in the markets across the city ahead of the Tibetan New Year.

These sculptures, made skillfully with colored butter, convey people's good wishes for the New Year. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

A craftsman kneads butter in cold water to cool and shape the butter at a workshop in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 12, 2026. Butter sculptures in vivid shapes of trees, flowers, birds, stars, etc., are gradually gaining popularity in the markets across the city ahead of the Tibetan New Year.

These sculptures, made skillfully with colored butter, convey people's good wishes for the New Year. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)