Hohhot Naadam Festival

呼和浩特那达慕

View on map
Sports & AdventureHohhot
DatesDates TBA · Usually SummerCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceEach Naadam sport carries rules specific
Language["zh-Hans"]Currency: CNY
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Hohhot Naadam Festival in Hohhot

Naadam's three traditional games - wrestling, horse racing and archery - are staged near Hohhot at Xilamuren Grassland, the nearest open grassland to the city, typically around the eighteenth day of the fifth lunar month. Each sport follows distinct traditional rules, from untimed wrestling bouts to archery aimed at stacked woven-cylinder targets called surs.

Naadam's full name, Eriin Gurvan Naadam, translates as three manly games - wrestling, horse racing and archery - a trio of sports documented as far back as the thirteenth-century Secret History of the Mongols and recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage in 2010.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Each Naadam sport carries rules specific enough to distinguish it from any generic equivalent: wrestling is untimed and ends the instant a non-hand, non-foot body part touches ground

02

The mystery stays covered

horse racing runs genuine 15-to-30-kilometre cross-country distances with young riders going saddle-less, bootless and sockless to keep horses light

03

The city starts moving

and archery targets stacked woven cylinders called surs, knocked from a three-high wall rather than shot at a flat target face

04

The water draws everyone in

UNESCO listed Naadam as intangible cultural heritage in 2010, and the tradition's documented roots trace to the thirteenth-century Secret History of the Mongols

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The three traditional games - untimed wrestling

Water and renewal

Living ritual

saddle-less cross-country horse racing and sur-target archery - are each performed according to long-documented traditional rules rather than standardised modern athletic formats

The sacred route

Living ritual

and the overall event is recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually Summer

Getting around

For Hohhot Naadam Festival, plan transport around the exact Hohhot venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Layered clothing suited to open grassland weather, which shifts quickly between strong sun and cool wind; sturdy shoes for uneven grass and dirt terrain away from paved paths.

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Hohhot Naadam Festival, stay near the part of Hohhot you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["zh-Hans"] · CNY

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map40.82 N, 111.66 EOpen in Google Maps

Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China

Nearest airportHET — Hohhot Baita
TransportFor Hohhot Naadam Festival, plan transport around the exact Hohhot venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Hohhot Naadam Festival, stay near the part of Hohhot you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Hohhot via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Hohhot, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearLayered clothing suited to open grassland weather, which shifts quickly between strong sun and cool wind; sturdy shoes for uneven grass and dirt terrain away from paved paths.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for China and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Hohhot Naadam Festival?

Hohhot Naadam Festival is listed for Multiple months · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Hohhot Naadam Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Hohhot, China. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLnmg.gov.cn
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually Summer
Source statusOfficial source linked
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Argungu Fishing Festival

Past edition: 11–14 February 2026

Argungu, Nigeria
Photo pending

Bay to Breakers

Past edition: 17 May 2026

San Francisco, United States
Photo pending

Daytona 500

Past edition: 15 February 2026

Daytona Beach, United States
Photo pending

Daytona Bike Week

Past edition: 27 February–8 March 2026

Daytona Beach, United States

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →