Naadam festival gets underway in Inner Mongolia

Bokh (Mongolian-style wrestling) competitors at the opening ceremony of the 35th Inner Mongolia Grassland Naadam Festival in Xiliinhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Saturday. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/chinadaily.com.cn]

In the pouring rain the 35th Inner Mongolia Grassland Naadam Festival opened in Xiliin Gol League of North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Saturday.

"Naadam" in Mongolian means entertainment and games. Traditionally featuring Bokh (Mongolian-style wrestling), horse racing, and archery competitions, Naadam celebrations mark one of the most representative folk events of the Mongolian ethnic group.

Bokh (Mongolian-style wrestling) competitors at the opening ceremony of the 35th Inner Mongolia Grassland Naadam Festival in Xiliinhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Saturday. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/chinadaily.com.cn]

Performers dressed in traditional ethnic costumes at the opening ceremony of the 35th Inner Mongolia Grassland Naadam Festival in Xiliinhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Saturday. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/chinadaily.com.cn]

According to He Mingjian, director of the league's bureau of culture, sports, tourism, radio and television, a total of 512 professional wrestlers are attending the festival this year. Tourists can also experience traditional Mongolian games and wrestling, as well as grassland soccer matches.

He said the lush grassland of Xiliin Gol League will host a variety of Naadam events in the following one and a half months to showcase the landscape, culture and delicacies of the league. Apart from traditional competitions, modern activities that young people favor, such as musical festivals and motor racing, will also be held.

 Performers dressed in traditional ethnic costumes at the opening ceremony of the 35th Inner Mongolia Grassland Naadam Festival in Xiliinhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Saturday. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/chinadaily.com.cn] 

Performers dressed in traditional ethnic costumes at the opening ceremony of the 35th Inner Mongolia Grassland Naadam Festival in Xiliinhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Saturday. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/chinadaily.com.cn]