This is a city of religious ceremonies and festivals. As a visitor, you may observe and even participate in some activities, but be sure to maintain proper respect and distance. If you're in Shigatse during major Tibetan holidays, the Tashilhunpo Monastery stages impressive traditional performances of Tibetan opera, dance and song. During Losar, the Tibetan New Year, performances and parades run through town and celebrations last well into the night. At this time, the monastery also unveils special oversized thangkas (devotional scroll paintings)—some of the few that survived the Cultural Revolution. If you're looking for a good place to relax with a beer, hotels and restaurants are your best bet, with the Tenzin Hotel and Gongkar Tibetan Restaurant being particularly popular among travelers (see Food & Restaurant and Accommodations listings for more).