Butter sculptures gain popularity in Lhasa ahead of the Tibetan New Year

A craftsman shows finished butter sculptures at a workshop in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

LHASA, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Butter sculptures in vivid shapes of trees, flowers, birds, stars, etc., are gradually gaining popularity in the markets across Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, ahead of the Tibetan New Year.

These sculptures, made skillfully with colored butter, convey people's good wishes for the New Year.

People shop for butter sculptures at a stall in a local market in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 12, 2026. (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. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

A craftsman makes a butter sculpture at a workshop in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

A craftsman makes a butter sculpture at a workshop in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

A craftsman makes a butter sculpture in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

A craftsman makes a butter sculpture at a workshop in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

This photo shows finished butter sculptures at a workshop in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 12, 2026. (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. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)