In the southwestern part of China, Tibetans are busy preparing for their new year -- the Losar festival. Their most important celebration of the year starts on Wednesday.

In the southwestern part of China, Tibetans are busy
preparing for their new year -- the Losar festival, photo from Xinhua.

Markets in Lhasa selling festival goods have attracted people from all over Tibet. Butter flowers, a traditional decoration, are best-sellers. They embody blessings for the coming year. Barley Grass is also very popular. Tibetans say it represents good luck for the harvest.

A Lhasa resident says, "the grass symbolizes our wishes for bumper harvests over the year to come. It's of great significance for both farmers and herdspeople."

It's traditional to spend the days leading up to the New Year on shopping. As Lhasa is converted into a gigantic shopping zone, people from across the region of Tibet are pouring in.

A Lhasa resident says, "I want to buy some fruit and other desirable things."

A Lhasa resident says, "Now Lhasa has everything you can name."

Losar is celebrated for 15 days. The main celebrations take place during the first three days.