Pannysylvania Magazine

“Join hands, sing along — I’ve fallen in love with Xilin Gol tonight…” The freedom and ease conveyed by the song have struck a chord with social media users. The 36th Inner Mongolia Tourism Naadam opened on July 18. Running through the end of August, the event series is using new formats to create fresh culture and tourism experiences.

Performers appear at the opening ceremony of the 36th Inner Mongolia Tourism Naadam on July 18.

Naadam, a traditional Mongolian festival, is usually held in July or August, when the grasslands are lush and cattle and sheep are in prime condition. In 2006, it was inscribed on China’s first national list of intangible cultural heritage and continues to serve important cultural and sporting functions.

Rows of distinctive yurts showcase cultural resources from Inner Mongolia’s 12 leagues and prefecture-level cities, as well as Xilin Gol League’s 13 banners, counties, county-level cities and districts. Arranged in a semicircle across from the competition grounds, the yurts vary in style and are grouped by locality.

At the main exhibition area, visitors can learn about local specialty industries and cultural development through on-site presentations and buy cultural and creative products that catch their eye. The food-tasting and merchandise sections are combined, allowing visitors to move seamlessly from sampling local flavors to making purchases. At intangible cultural heritage workshops, representative inheritors offer detailed explanations and hands-on guidance, bringing visitors into close contact with distinctive traditions. Across the vast grassland venue, the varied yurts bring visitors’ expectations of the grasslands to life, offering a quick window into local character and inspiring further travel.

Cultural and creative products are displayed inside Erenhot’s yurt pavilion at the Naadam venue on July 17.

Laughter fills the air as crowds gather outside Erenhot’s yurt pavilion in Xilin Gol League to take photos. Internationally renowned for its dinosaur fossils, Erenhot has brought its signature attraction to the Naadam with a dinosaur-themed costume photo area. Children climb onto model “dinosaurs” and romp through a “forest” of “dense trees,” while visitors stream through without pause.

Visitors take photos at a dinosaur-themed costume area set up by Erenhot at the Naadam venue on July 17.

“We want to take Naadam visitors directly to China’s northern gateway and introduce outbound travel products, creating stronger links between Erenhot and the festival’s culture and tourism offerings,” said Han Lizhi, deputy director of the Erenhot Bureau of Culture, Sports, Tourism, Radio and Television.

The 36th Inner Mongolia Tourism Naadam opens in Xilinhot, Xilin Gol League, on July 18.

Beyond displays from across the region, the Naadam offers a wide range of hands-on activities. Visitors can try classic Mongolian games such as daseri and shagai, or slow down to experience Mongolian embroidery and leather carving. Guided by representative inheritors of intangible cultural heritage, they can explore distinctive traditions in depth and experience the appeal of Mongolian culture.

At an Erenhot yurt pavilion on July 18, an autonomous-region-level representative inheritor of intangible cultural heritage shows visitors how to play a traditional game.

The Naadam also offers a four-event contest for visitors, a family Naadam and a sheep-head eating race, among other participatory activities. Visitors can unwind and enjoy themselves as they join in. Today, Naadam is no longer solely a stage for professional competitors; it has become an inclusive celebration built around diverse experiences and sustained interaction.

(Hu Jingdan)

Media Contact
Company Name: Naadam Festival
Contact Person: Zhang Fan
Email: Send Email
Phone: 0479-8165018
City: Xilinhot City
Country: China
Website: https://www.xlgl.gov.cn