Junba Fishing Village is also known for its distinctive and open marriage customs. Unlike many traditional societies, marriages here are based entirely on mutual choice, without parental or family interference. Young people often meet during festivals or social gatherings and decide their future together.
Once a couple agrees to marry, elders from both families meet three times to discuss arrangements. The wedding date is finalized during the third meeting, marking the formal beginning of the celebration.
Wedding Rituals Filled with Blessings
On the wedding day, the groom’s family decorates the courtyard with colorful prayer flags, Hada scarves, Chemar, Five Grains, and other symbols of good fortune. Early in the morning, prayers are offered at the local Gongka Temple for the couple’s happiness and safety.
Along the bride’s journey, the groom’s family sets up three welcoming points, offering drinks and presenting Hada to show respect. When the bride arrives—often in a decorated vehicle known as the “flower sedan”—her companions sing traditional songs praising her virtues. Inside the home, songs honor the house itself, from beams and pillars to rooftop prayer flags, turning the wedding into a deeply spiritual and joyful event.
Visiting Junba Fishing Village: A Cultural Gem Near Lhasa
Junba Fishing Village is located about 50 kilometers from Lhasa city and only 3 kilometers from Qushui County town, making it an easy and rewarding cultural excursion. Modern roads have replaced the village’s former isolation, once accessible only by cowhide boats crossing the Lhasa River.
- By car: Take the airport expressway from Lhasa, exit at the Junba junction, and follow signs toward the village
- By bicycle: Ride along National Highway 219, turn at Qushui Bridge, and continue toward Junba
The smooth highways and scenic surroundings make the journey as enjoyable as the destination.
The Last Traditional Tibetan Fishing Village
Junba stands as the only Tibetan village where fishing has been a way of life for generations. Its traditions preserve a rare fishing culture in a region where most Tibetans historically avoided eating fish. From daily river life to ceremonial dances, Junba offers an authentic look at a vanishing way of living shaped by water and craftsmanship.
Traditional Crafts and Leather Artistry
Around 70% of Junba families are involved in traditional handicrafts. Small family workshops produce cowhide boats, barley flour bags, tea bags, and leather goods. Items such as “Xasongma” leather boots, worn by high-ranking monks, and “Damaru” drums, sometimes made from fish skin, showcase the village’s refined skills.
To protect and promote this heritage, villagers established the Junba Fishing Village Leather Processing Cooperative. In 2010, Junba’s leather craftsmanship was officially recognized as a regional intangible cultural heritage, further strengthening its cultural identity.
Culinary Heritage: The Famous Junba Fish Sauce
Junba Fishing Village is especially famous for its traditional fish sauce, a signature local delicacy. Fishermen carefully debone and mince large river fish, then mix the meat with salt, chili, and green onions. The result is a vibrant red sauce with a rich aroma and unforgettable taste.
This unique culinary tradition was also listed as a regional intangible cultural heritage in 2010, making Junba not only a center of fishing culture but also a rare destination for experiencing authentic Tibetan fish cuisine.