Sampling a slice of Mongolian culture

A Naadam festival in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region gathers participants from different regions who showcase their archery art and eyecatching costumes; and wrestlers compete for strength and courage and young musicians play matouqin, or horseheaded fiddle. Photos Provided To China Daily

Since the days of Genghis Khan, competitors have gathered each summer to show off their skills in horseback riding, archery and wrestling. Xing Yi and Yuan Hui explore the scene in Hohhot.

Summer is the ideal time to visit the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, not only because the lush grasslands stretch as far as the eye can see, but also because it's a wonderful time to experience Mongolian culture as local people celebrate the traditional Naadam festival.

The festival is celebrated in a number of places. Typically, people from a neighborhood get together, but the gathering can even comprise thousands of people.

One of the places where Naadam - which runs from July 23 through July 29 - is celebrated is Chilechuan, a scenic spot in the Tumd Right Banner, 70 kilometers west of the capital Hohhot.

Naadam, which means game or competition in the Mongolian language, typically features three contests for men - horse riding, archery and wrestling.

The origins of the festival can be traced back to about 800 years, when Genghis Khan (1162-1227) ruled most of the northern Mongolian tribes.

Then, in order to inspect his army and unite the tribes, Genghis Khan used to organize gatherings of soldiers from different tribes to showcase their skills.

Over time, the festival has morphed into a cultural and sports event for locals and tourists.