Tens of thousands of Tibetans have flocked to the Yalong River valley in Shannan prefecture in China's southwest Tibet Autonomous Region for the Yalong Cultural Festival. 

(Tibetans from various prefecture ride into YalongRiver valley.)

The three-day festival, which ended Monday, was held at the Yalong River valley in Shannan prefecture, the birthplace of the Tibetan ethnic group.

During the three-day cultural festival, symposiums on Yalong culture, trade fairs and folk art shows drew huge crowds of people from different ethnic groups.

According to legend, Tibetans were the descendants of a supernatural monkey and a fairy.

It was in Shannan, where this ethnic group founded the ancient Tubo Dynasty.

(Yalong festival is many Tibetans' must-go event.)

(Dance to celebrate the festival)

(CRI.com August 25, 2004)