The Mount Qomolangma Cultural Festival will be held from Sept 29 to Oct 2 in Xigaze City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

Some 4,000 meters above seal level, Xigaze boasts five peaks each with an altitude of over 8,000 meters, including Mount Qomolangma, the world's highest.

Dubbed "an ocean of songs and dances," Xigaze is known for its unique Tibetan culture. It is also the seat of Zhaxilhunbo Monastery, residence of the Panchen Lamas.

The cultural festival has been held twice in Xigaze. Soinam Shidar, deputy commissioner of the Xigaze Administrative Office, said that the festival would help publicize the area.

The festival will include performances, commercial activities, picture exhibitions and tourism promotions.
 
(Xinhua News Agency September 11, 2003)