The Soikang family, self-styled as descendents of the 4th Dalai Lama, had many manors and wealth in Tibet, creating a powerful and distinguished hereditary aristocracy.

Old Lhasa was a paradise for monk and lay aristocrats. According to traditional practice, a summer banquet was held during the Lingka Festival every midsummer. Aristocrats took turn to act as host with ostentation and extravagance. That day, hereditary aristocrats together with their family member gathered in Lingka organized according to their official ranks. When participating in such gatherings, womenfolk showed off their supreme elegance in competition. In addition to dining and wining and disporting themselves, they also called together folk artists to sing and dance. The expense of the banquet was so large that it could dissipate the fortune of a common aristocratic family. For example, when it was Norkangwa's turn to be host in 1947, he could not help complaining. After learning of this, the rich Soikang family donated all the furnishings, utensils and other articles they had used the previous year to Norkangwa, and also assumed all expenditure. For the Soikang family, this was a mere drop in the bucket.