• Observed: Aug. 10, 2022
• Area: Tibet

The Nagqu Horse Racing Celebration is the most amazing yearly occasion in western China’s Nagqu Prefecture, the biggest prefecture in Tibet Independent District, otherwise known as Tibet, and without a doubt, the most fabulous yearly occasion in all of northern Tibet.

August is the brilliant season on the immense meadows of Nagqu Prefecture and when the grass is tallest and the weather conditions is generally obliging to the individuals who partake in nature.

Well ahead of the celebration, Tibetan herders and their families start to stream into the seat of the prefecture – additionally called Nagqu – from different pieces of Tibet.

They show up riding a horse actually, carrying with them the tents and the decorations which will give them a ‘usual hangout spot as long as necessary.

Over the long haul, the stream turns into a constant flow, the stream ultimately a flood.

Culture of Nagqu Horse Racing Festival

When the tent is raised, life starts to assume the likeness of ordinariness, but, touched with the fervor of the get-together of such countless landsmen and the expectation of the impending contests.

At night, the scene turns out to be nearly picture-postcard untainted, with the beams of the sunset creating long shaded areas from the tents and illuminating the undulating rushes of the ocean of grass, smoke ascends from the stack openings of tents as dinner is made, youngsters are playing alongside herds of sheep that are crouched intently together for wellbeing, and ponies should be visible drinking from the lake somewhere far off, or munching on the delicate shoots of dew-soaked grass close by.

More established young men and young ladies exploit the party to meet and tease, moving the Tibetan Guoxie (“Town”) dance. Moving in Tibetan culture is a weird blend of the mysterious and the upbeat.

Moving is constantly joined with singing, and, likewise with the Guoxie dance, some of the time with the stepping of the foot to keep the beat. There are two or three popular Tibetan platitudes in regards to routine: “Tibetans who can walk can likewise move”, and “Tibetans who can talk can likewise sing.” Clearly, most Tibetans are great at both strolling and talking…

The celebration of the Horse Racing Festival

Opening Ceremony

Upon the arrival of the initial service, individuals of the town of Nagqu and those from adjoining towns fill the celebration grounds from each of the four bearings as the energy elevates.

Flagpoles are marked on a mission to check limits, their beautiful banners shuddering against the immense blue sky. Then the horseback occasions start, some including runs, some including exceptional riding abilities like hiding oneself on one side of the pony, inclining in the direction of the ground to establish a lance or to pull up a flagpole, and so forth, and some including bow and bolt accomplishments while riding a horse.

There are likewise wrestling matches – which generally draw in huge groups – and there is obviously bunches of moving, and as the day slows down, a lot of eating, drinking, and fun.

Horse Races

After the day of the initial service, various more coordinated, longer-term occasions happen. These incorporate horse races, yak races, pulls of war, what could be compared to a weight training competition (i.e., lifting and conveying small scale rocks of expanding size and weight), and, again as the day wears out, eating and drinking as well as moving and singing exhibitions, or the arranging of Tibetan dramas.

These different exercises occur over the space of as long as 7 days, however at least 3 days, contingent upon the quantity of members (the more prominent number of members the more it takes to hold every occasion).

To some random occasion – with the exception of maybe for moving and eating, in which all partake – some will take part while others will appreciate it from a good ways, i.e., as observers.

The horse racing celebration will be held around August, however the date isn’t fixed. So kindly reach us to check the specific date before your visit arranging.

What’s more, during the celebration, lodgings are normally difficult to book. For guests who might want to notice such merry festivals direct, you are proposed to book lodgings as soon as could be expected.