The Great Naadam Festival in Ulan Bator - Nomadays

Mongolia

The Great Naadam Festival in Ulan Bator

The great Naadam festival held in Ulan Bator is the most awaited and favoured event of the Mongolian people. The first day you will attend the opening ceremony in the stadium, then attend competitions of wrestling, also archery, and the very interesting ankle bone game. The second day, will bring you out of the city for the main event all the Mongolian people wait for : the horse races.

Extremely popular games, great atmosphere full of colours, this is the event to not miss in Ulan Bator between the 11th to the 12th of July

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Day 1Opening ceremony and first competitions

Day 1Opening ceremony and first competitions

  • The Naadam festival is the biggest and most joyful celebration for Mongolians. It takes place each year on the 11-12th of July. The festival originated from the era of Khunnu Empire and was originally organised as a competition to test the skills of Mongolian Warriors between tribes. The festival comprises the "Three Manly Sports": wrestling, horse racing and archery.

    During this first day, we will enjoy from the stands of the stadium the colourful show given for the game's opening ceremony. It will then be time to see the beginning of the Mongolian wrestling competition. In the aisles of the stadium, we also witness the archery and ankle bone shooting competitions.

Meal and accommodations
Lunch: Local restaurant
Accommodation: Hotel Nine
1h-40km
Khui Doloon Khudag
1h-40km
Khui Doloon Khudag

Day 2Horse races

Day 2Horse races

Ulan Bator - Khui Doloon Khudag

  • Early in the morning we will drive to the Khui Doloon Khudag race field to enjoy the horses' races. The best horses from across the country meet in Ulaanbaatar for these races crucially important. Mongolian people train horses in their very nature, and win the race in Ulaanbaatar bring them immense glory. We are witnessing the first race.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: Hotel Nine
Lunch: Local restaurant
Accommodation: Hotel Nine