Nagqu Horse Racing Festival
- by Nance
- Last Updated: 2020-12-28
Nagqu Horse Racing Festival is the greatest annual event in northern Tibet. It has a long history and can be traced back to the 8th century when the Gar family was in power ruling Tibet in the name of the kings of Tubo Kingdom. Affected by
When to go?
Generally speaking, Nagqu Horse Racing Festival is held in August every year with a duration of 5 to 15 days. August is the golden season for tourists to visit the vast and green grassland covered by beautiful little flowers. In this time when the grass is the highest and the weather is best for Tibetans who enjoy outdoor activities. Well in advance of the festival, Tens of thousands of herdsmen which are from various parts of Tibet will pour into the vast grassland. They arrive on horseback still as well as bring with tents and Tibetan food which will supply them a 'home away from home' for the duration of the festival.
What to see and do?
1 Enjoy a feast.
Tibetan attire is one of the highlights of Nagqu Horse Racing Festival. On the day of the festival, Tibetans and their families attended this event in their most gorgeous attire. The charming girls are dressed up to make them full of vitality. The boys are dressed in traditional military attire and proudly show their riding skills to attract huge crowds of local people and pilgrims. The racetrack will be a large ethnic costume catwalk show. In other words, you will enjoy the feast of attire that you had never seen before.
2 Experience a variety of motive activities
After the grand opening ceremony, you can enjoy a variety of activities such as horse racing, yak racing, wrestling, stone lifting and much more. When the horseback events begin, some involved in the sprints, some involved in special riding skills and some involving in bow and arrow feats while on horseback. It’s very interesting and amazing! Wrestling matches are lifting and carrying mini-boulders of increasing size and weight which is also always attracting a lot of crowds. It has become a bright highlight during the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival.
3 Tasting delicious Tibetan food
Of course, you should never miss the chance to taste delicious Tibetan food. The diet in Nagqu which is developed by the geographical environment is a typical Tibetan style on the plateau. As you see, the Tibetan meal is mainly based on animal products. Here, you will be able to taste some of the traditional Tibetan food in different tents such as beef, mutton, buttered tea, yak yogurt, different kinds of noodles and much more. It’s really a paradise for travelers who like various of food.
4 Enjoy singing and dancing
When the night falls, people will hold a magnificent party outside tents. They will sing and dance around the c
For tourists who want to participate in such festive celebrations first-hand, either as a participant or as a spectator, you will experience wild and authentic glamor of Tibet and get to know about the most primitive lifestyle of Tibetan nomads, Tibetan culture, brave Tibetans. Now, the annual Nagqu horse racing festival is around the corner. Don't hesitate, just come and enjoy yourself.
Related Articles
-
What are the Most Significant Tibetan Festivals?
Significant Tibetan festivals include Losar Festival, Saga Dawa Festival, Shoton Festival, etc. Joining a feast is a great way to experience Tibetan culture. -
Saga Dawa Festival
Saga Dawa(also known as Saka Dawa) is considered highly significant in Tibet. It's celebrated during the fourth month of the Tibetan Calendar, for remembering the birthday, enlightenment, and death of Sakyamuni. -
Celebrate Saga Dawa Festival at Mt. Kailash
Saga Dawa is usually celebrated at Mt.Kailash. The famous Tarboche Flagpole, a huge pole that lies on the Kailash Kora route, would be replaced with new prayer flags and raised up again during this festival. -
Galdan Namchot
Galdan Namchot is held every year on October 25 of the Tibetan year for one day, to commemorate the birth & parinirvana (death) of Je Tsongkhapa, also known as "Tsongkhapa Butter Lamp Festival". On this day, temples in Tibet will hold grand offering rituals, especially offering lamps. -
Losar - Tibetan New Year
Tibetan people call Tibetan New Year “Losar”. Losar is the most important Tibetan festival that combines sacred and secular customs - prayer, hanging prayer flags, folk dances, and gatherings. In 2022, Losar falls on Mar. 3. -
Damgxung Horse Racing Festival
Introduction about the Horse Racing Festival in Damgxung, including the name, venue, activities, and opening time to help travelers know more about Tibetan culture and plan a Tibet tour to attend the festival in person. -
Nyingchi Peach Bloosom Festival
With the lowest elevation in Tibet, Nyingchi has the same stunning scenery as Switzerland. Especially during March and April, the peach flowers are blossoming in the mountain. Do you want a journey to the most romantic place in Tibet? -
Tibetan Shoton Festival
The Shoton/Sho Dun Festival is one of the most popular festivals in Tibet. “Sho” means yogurt, “Ton” means banquet. So you can consider it as a feast of eating yogurt. In this article, you can see the history, venue and what to expect from this festival. -
Butter Lamp Festival
The Butter Lamp Festival falls on the 15th of the first month in Tibetan Calendar. It’s a tradition that commemorates all of Buddha’s miracles. You will feel a happy atmosphere during that Festival. -
Gyantse Horse Racing Festival
Gyantse Horse Racing Festival, also known as the Gyantse Damar Festival, was held in April of Tibetan Calendar. Now it's mostly held on July 20 during the slack season. It is the most distinctive folk custom activity in Tibet, with a history of more than 500 years. -
Ganden Thangka Showing Festival
Ganden Thangka Showing Festival is a traditional feast that attracted thousands of pilgrims and visitors every year. Take a journey of discovery and spirituality to the temple and have excellent experience in the holy land of Tibet.
Email response within 0.5~24 hours.
