Entering the ancient town of Jiegu in Yushu，the first impression is one of color. Rich ethmc use of bright colors is to be seen in the temples, shops, houses, vehicles and clothes. The Ti- betan-populated area of Qinghai is called Amdo but Yushu is an exception, as for long years it had close ties with western Sichuan and with Chamdo of Tibet, and was part of the Khampa area. The and with Chamdo of Tibet, and was part of the Khampa area. The men here are tall and handsome, known as "Khampa Real Men."

"Khampa Real Men'are famousfor and are inseparable from Yushu song and dance, which dates back for generations. A living Buddha in the Jyegu Temple was a huge artistic talent who alone created more than 100 types of songs and dances. Due to Yushu's closeness to TIbet, Sichuan and Yunnan, its artists have absorbed the outstanding achievements of Tibetan song and dance in those regions, making Yushu song and dance the most exciting items at the Khampa Art Festival.

At the turn of July and August,when the Batang grassland about five kilometers outside the old town is lush,green and strewn with wild flowers of every color, people begin setting up tents and settlingin. Herdsmen come from Sichuan. Yunnan and Tibet，and in no time the grassland is dotted with hundreds of  white tents, looking like a city of tents. They are gathered there for horse racing, singing and dancing--the Khampa Art Festival.

The festival provides young people with an opportunity for courting. All the riders wear Tibetan robes with fur trimming and high boots. At the waist is a Tibetan sword, a hunting gun or bow and arrows. Tibetan girls wear Tibetan robes with otter fur trim and heavily decorated hats. The luxury clothes and ornaments have been handed down from generation to generation to be worn on festive occasions. Their beautiful clothes and voices are very attractive to boys, who try to win favor with the girls by their superb riding skills and dazzling dance steps.