The Tibetan New Year, known as Lorsar, begins today. Tibetans all over China are celebrating. Many of them are in Yushu prefecture in Qinghai Province. Local residents have held their celebration ceremony, despite the busy reconstruction work following a strong earthquake in April 2010.

At over 4,200 meters above sea level, with a temperature at -10 centigrade, surrounded by crystal blue sky and mountains, Tibetans in Yushu prefecture sing and dance, to welcome the traditional New Year.

Many Tibetans in fact live in Qinghai and Sichuan Provinces, outside the Tibet Autonomous region. Here in Yushu, over 95 percent of the residents are Tibetans, and they have already started to celebrate the Tibetan New Year.

The earthquake in 2010 has torn down most buildings in Yushu. While the reconstruction work is still on the way, the New Year celebration in the region was held on a high school ground in Qumalai County. Local Tibetans have traveled hundreds of miles to join the celebration.

"Tibetan new year is the most important time of the year for us. The performers here are not professionals. We are just gathering together to enjoy the celebration."

People have dressed themselves up in traditional costumes. The bright colors and exquisite accessories represent their blessings for the New Year. While I was struggling with the thin air and altitude sickness, the dancers have no problem showing brilliant moves. The children, instead, played a hip-pop style.

"The new year celebration starts today. And we have all prepared traditional food for the New Year. In the next few days, we will visit the elders and gather with friends. "

The new year day is 22nd of February according to Tibetan calendar, and the celebration will last for seven day.