Tibetan costumes in Gesang Metok contest

The Fourth Gesang Metok Tibet Tourism Image Ambassador Contest held at Dec, 8, 2012 in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

At a competition segment, contestants presented costumes of Tibetan ethnic group as photos show.

Tibetan clothing reflects features of Tibet's unique environment, history and culture. Tibetans live on a high and cold plateau surrounded by snow-covered mountains. Much of Tibetan dress has been passed down from ancient times. Economic and cultural exchanges that have been transpiring for generations are reflected in changes in Tibetan clothing.

Tibetan costume often depends on geographic area and economic status. In cold northern Tibet, herdsmen usually wear fur robes. In Shannan Prefecture, where the climate is warmer, farmers often wear tweed (a kind of wool produced in Tibetan rural areas). People in Lhasa wear silk clothing are summer and fur robes in winter. In ancient times, honored heroes wore tiger skins and cowards were forced to wear fox skins as punishment.

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