A Naadam event featuring traditional folk sports competitions kicked off on Saturday in Hinggan League, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, drawing numerous tourists and boosting summer consumption.
Naadam, usually held in mid-summer and sometimes in winter in pastoral areas of Inner Mongolia, means "games" in the Mongolian language. It often comprises competitions of wrestling and archery, as well as horse racing, also known as the "Three Games of Men."
On the Ulan Mod grassland in Horqin Right Wing Front Banner of Hinggan League, traditional wrestling, horse racing, archery and other competitions were staged one after another. These authentic grassland sports offer a visual feast for tourists from across the country.
"It was truly breathtaking, and everything I saw was new to me. I was especially excited by the horses racing -- thousands of horses galloping all at once -- it was unlike anything I have experienced before," said a tourist.
The Naadam festivities also included a fun sheep-snatching competition, where participants chased sheep within a marked area by hand. Those who managed to snatch a sheep could take the sheep home, offering an immersive experience of folk sports.
Running for seven days, the event features folk performances, mass sports, and nighttime shows, offering tourists a full schedule of daytime competitions and nighttime market tours.
Folk sports events staged in China's Inner Mongolia to stimulate consumption
