Nadam Festival

Nadam is a time-honoured festival of the Mongolian people, its name in Mongolian meaning "entertainment" or "games," growing out of Mongolian sacrifice and gathering traditions and usually held in July and August when the grass is lush. It is inscribed on China's national ICH list and is one of the most important festivals of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the grasslands around Baotou.

Nadam centres on the "three manly skills" of wrestling, horse racing and archery, with some events adding horse-catching, Mongolian chess and modern sports such as track and field, tug-of-war and basketball, alongside trade markets, performances and traditional Mongolian food, all in a fervent, open-air atmosphere.

Nadam carries the traditional sport, trade and folk entertainment of the Mongolian people, an important vessel of steppe cohesion and cultural identity, and holds real value for the study of Mongolian history, society and festival culture.

The grasslands around Baotou, such as Xilamuren and Damao Banner, hold Nadam gatherings each summer, the main venues for visitors to watch and take part.