Pasang Butri's family members have "gutu" at home in Xigaze, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, Jan 10, 2024. [Photo by Tenzin Nyida/Xinhua]

XIGAZE  -- Locals in Xigaze celebrate the farmers' New Year on the first day of the twelfth month of the Tibetan calendar, which falls on Jan 12 this year. As the festival approaches, families in Xigaze are exuding a cheerful and festive atmosphere.

A family member puts a traditional Tibetan hat on the head of Pasang Butri's granddaughter at home in Xigaze, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, Jan 10, 2024.[Photo by Tenzin Nyida/Xinhua]

Pasang Butri distributes "gutu" at home in Xigaze, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, Jan 10, 2024. [Photo by Purbu Tsering/Xinhua]

Like other locals, the 59-year-old Pasang Butri cooked on Wednesday night for families who gathered at her home and enjoyed a feast of "gutu", a traditional soup dish made of flour, to celebrate the upcoming farmers' New Year. "Gu" in Tibetan means nine, which is a lucky number. "Tu" means "pasta." Nine different fillings like wool, charcoal and chili are placed inside the dough drops, and each of these fillings has a meaning.

Pasang Butri makes "gutu" at home in Xigaze, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, Jan 10, 2024. [Photo by Purbu Tsering/Xinhua]

Pasang Butri makes "gutu" at home in Xigaze, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, Jan 10, 2024. [Photo by Tenzin Nyida/Xinhua]

For the family of Pasang Butri, this is their first time to spend the farmers' New Year in their new home, a newly renovated three-story house. Sitting around a pot of steaming "gutu," families and relatives had a warm reunion dinner together, looking forward to having better days in the upcoming year.

Children of Pasang Butri's family check a note inside a "gutu" dough drop at home in Xigaze, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, Jan 10, 2024. [Photo by Tenzin Nyida/Xinhua]