A traditional Tibetan folk festival with horse riding and archery performance kicked off in Gyangze, Shigatse Prefecture of southwest China's Tibet on August, 18, Xinhua reported.

The annual Dhrama Festival is scheduled for the entire following week when all the local people dress themselves up and assemble for various activities. Most expected include horse-racing, yak-racing, stone-bearing racing, tug-of-war and firewood party, bringing endless joy for both local people and travelers.

Originated over 600 years ago, the Dhrama Festival was initially a horsing-racing and toxophily competition to celebrate the completion of the Palkor Monastery and a tower. People believed that running horses would take away the doom or whammy.

In 2008, the Dhrama Festival was inscribed on China's national folk-custom festival list.

Local residents are dancing at the opening ceremony of the Dhrama festival on August, 18, 2011. [Photo/China Tibet News]

The figure ‘60’ is presented by people on parade during the opening ceremony, celebrating the 60th anniversary of Tibet's peaceful liberation. [Photo/China Tibet News]