Across China: Tibetans celebrate double New Year

Some Han residents like Tibetan couplets, too.

"I have been here for ten years and has many Tibetan friends. This year, I chose Tibetan couplets so that my Tibetan friends understand my wishes when they come to greet me," said a resident surnamed Xiong in Lhasa.

Qamba Sangye, a Tibetan teacher who wrote Tibetan couplets for sale for the first time, said the couplets were about health, harmony, prosperity and safety.

"Some couplets highlight the Tibetan-Han friendly feelings," he said.

This year is the Year of Dog in the 12-animal Chinese zodiac. In Tibetan culture, the dog is also revered as a positive image representing loyalty and integrity.

Dogs are close friends of people on the plateau, said Cedain Zhaxi, a professor at Tibet University.

In Nyingchi, a plate with diverse food items is offered to dogs by villagers who believe the animal can predict the luck for the coming year.

"It is actually the government's good policy which has brought us a good life," said Urgyen Cering, Communist Party chief of a village.