26th Donggui Naadam Festival Opens in Xinjiang County

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The opening ceremony of the 26th Donggui Naadam Festival was held on 17 July 2026 in Hejing County, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China.

Held under the theme “Bayinbulak Tells Its Story to the World,” the event brought together traditional sports competitions, cultural programs, tourism activities and presentations of intangible cultural heritage sites.

The festival was aimed at preserving and promoting traditional culture, developing the region’s tourism potential and supporting the socio-economic development of rural areas in Xinjiang.

The opening ceremony took place in a festive atmosphere. Accompanied by steppe songs, ceremonial groups and horse-riding units performed at the venue. The audience paid particular attention to the steppe cavalry performance, which featured more than ten horse-riding groups from various villages and livestock farms in the county.

The cultural program continued with concerts showcasing the distinctive features of Mongolian national culture, traditions and arts.

“The Donggui Naadam Festival is not only a cultural event that preserves folk traditions, but also an important platform for demonstrating Hejing’s cultural and tourism potential. The festival has brought together representatives of all ethnic groups and provided new momentum for the integrated development of culture and tourism,” said Hejing County government head Danmurengjiapu Damusurun.

The festival continued until 21 July. Its program included traditional herders’ competitions, including horse racing, archery and the national wrestling style “shaliboer bökh.”

In addition to sports competitions, guests were offered open-air evening concerts, interactive exhibitions of intangible cultural heritage, educational tours of the steppe areas, as well as a fair featuring traditional crafts and local products.

The Donggui Naadam Festival contributed to further promoting the region’s cultural heritage, expanding Hejing’s tourism opportunities and strengthening the role of traditional cultural events in the development of local communities.