Fabric tents are generally trapezoidal or A-frame shaped, supported by a crossbeam and two wooden posts; larger tents may have more posts. The tent has a retractable skylight at the top for ventilation, light, smoke extraction, and heat dissipation; when closed, it provides protection from wind and rain and warmth. A fabric door at the front opens and closes easily. The interior area of a typical tent is 20 square meters, but larger ones can reach 200-300 square meters, accommodating hundreds of people.
Fabric tents are primarily handmade from white cotton cloth, available in various shapes such as axe-shaped, hipped, square, and hexagonal. Smaller tents are often used for resting during journeys, while larger ones are used for summer picnics, festivals, and celebrations.
There is also a beautiful hexagonal white fabric tent, trimmed with black, blue, and brown fabric borders. The fabric is printed with auspicious patterns, such as the Eight Treasures or lotus and cloud throne designs, and the four corners are embroidered with various patterns. An inner layer of colored fabric is added. This type of tent is tall, exquisitely crafted, and can accommodate over twenty people.
The interior layout of the tents is culturally distinctive: In the center, a three-legged stove made of stone or an iron brazier naturally divides the tent in two; the right side is for men and guests, and the left side for women. A Buddha statue is placed behind the stove or above the men's seating area. Inside the tent, rows of leather bags, wool bags, and wooden boxes containing grain, salt, and ghee are neatly arranged and covered with long wool blankets, creating a tidy and elegant appearance. White cloth tents are elaborately decorated, often using black and blue cloth cut into various patterns such as checks, scrollwork, cloud patterns, and the Eight Auspicious Symbols, sewn onto the tent's surface and four corners. The front edge of the tent is draped with symbolically significant red, yellow, and blue fabric.
