Unlike other traditional Tibetan festivals, the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival is a unique event that allows you to experience the true lives of Tibetan nomads. Held every summer on the vast grasslands of northern Tibet, it features various exciting activities like horse racing, Tibetan music and dance performances, open-air markets, and more.

To help you plan a smooth trip to enjoy the thrilling event, here we’ve gathered all useful information about the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival. Read to know when it is celebrated, what to see and do during the festival, how to get to Nagqu, what nearby attractions to explore, and more insider tips.

What is Nagqu Horse Racing Festival? When is It Celebrated?

The Nagqu Horse Racing Festival is the grandest traditional festival in northern Tibet, with a history dating back to the 8th century. Deeply rooted in Tibetan nomadic traditions, the festival is a great event to showcase herdsman's riding skills and celebrate community life.

The festival begins on August 1 in the solar calendar each year and lasts for 5 to 15 days. August is in the summer season of Tibet and is a perfect time to visit Nagqu, where the grasslands are at their greenest, and the weather is at its most pleasant.

Early before the festival, many nomadic families from different regions of Tibet have already arrived on this vast grassland. They come on horseback, bring food and set up tents, making the place a temporary home.

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What to See and Do during the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival?

The Nagqu Horse Racing Festival is not just about horse races. It also offers many interesting cultural experiences and exciting outdoor activities to meet all kinds of travelers.

Horse Racing

The most thrilling highlight, of course, is the horse racing. The riders, who are often young herders grew up on horseback, dress in colorful traditional Tibetan clothing and race across the open grasslands. They perform a series of horsemanship skills, like archery or catching scarves at full speed, earning cheers from the watching crowds.

Tibetan Singing and Dancing Performances

Throughout the festival, you can enjoy traditional Tibetan music, dancing and singing. Local Tibetans wear their finest traditional Tibetan costumes, gather together to sing and dance. It is the moment to join them and share in the pure joy and happiness.

Tibetan Open-Air Market

There is also vibrant open-air market, where you can buy some unique Tibetan handicrafts and goods, like handmade jewelry, prayer flags, yak wool blankets, horse gear, etc. Don’t forget to bargain for the best price!

Visiting Tibetan Nomadic Camps

The Nagqu Horse Racing Festival also offers you a chance to visit nomadic families in their tents. You can visit different tents, sit and chat with locals, while enjoying delicious Tibetan food like Tibetan butter tea, Tsampa, yak yogurt and yak meat.

Other Interesting Activities

In addition to the horse racing, the festival also holds other interesting competitions like wresting, yak race, long jumping, stone raising, etc. These activities also attract many local participants, and add more fun and excitement to the whole festival event.

How to Get to Nagqu for the Horse Racing Festival?

Nagqu is located about 320 kilometers northeast of Lhasa. To get there, you can either take a train or travel overland from Lhasa.

Get to Nagqu by Tibet Train

Nagqu is the second-to-last stop when one travels to Lhasa by Tibet train. Therefore, you can take the return trip of the Tibet train from Lhasa to Nagqu. It takes about 3 to 5 hours to reach Nagqu Railway Station, and offers stunning scenery of northern Tibet en route.

Get to Nagqu by Overland

You can also travel overland from Lhasa to Nagqu following the G109 Highway, one of the four main roads leading to Tibet. The journey takes about 7 hours to cover a distance of about 330 kilometers. Along the way, you can also take a side trip to holy Namtso Lake, if you have more time.

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Where to Stay in Nagqu during the Horse Racing Festival?

Owing to its remote location, Nagqu offers a limited collection of hotels, but they are able to offer you a comfortable overnight stay with clean rooms and basic facilities.

However, during the horse racing festival, when many locals and tourists flock to the region, many hotels can get fully booked and the prices tend to be quite high. So, it is suggested to book your tour and reserve the accommodation in advance.

Besides, you can also stay overnight in the nomadic tents of local Tibetans. This offers you a chance to experience the real Tibetan nomadic life, and get insight into local culture.

For tourists who have booked your Tibet tours with us, we will arrange the most suitable accommodation according to your preference. Just contact us to tell us your interests and travel ideas.

What Nearby Attractions to Explore Near Nagqu?

Besides attending the horse racing festival in Nagqu, you can also visit many natural and cultural wonders around the region.

Namtso Lake

Located between Lhasa and Nagqu, Namtso Lake is one of the Three Holiest Lakes in Tibet. Known as the “Heavenly Lake”, it is famous for its turquoise lake water, snow-capped mountains, and strong Buddhist atmosphere.

August is one of the best times to visit Namtso Lake. You can travel from Lhasa to this sacred lake, spend a night there and explore its famous sites like the Stone Elephant Gate. Then the next day, continue your journey to Nagqu for the horse racing festival.

Changtang Grassland

Located in Nagqu, Changtang Grassland is the largest natural grassland in Tibet. It boasts a diverse landscape of Gobi deserts, plateau lakes, and mountains, being a paradise for wild animals and plants.

The grassland is home to the Changpa nomads, who set up tent camps here and herd yaks and sheep. When visiting this grassland, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the Tibetan nomadic culture.

More Tips for a Smooth Nagqu Horse Racing Festival

1. Obtain the necessary travel documents before you go. You will first need to obtain the Tibet Travel Permit and Chinese Visa before you enter Tibet. Contact us earlier before your trip, and we will help you to arrange all the required Tibet travel documents.

2. Pay attention to altitude sickness when visiting Nagqu, since the region sits at a higher altitude of over 4500 meters. The best choice is to acclimatize in Lhasa (3650 m) for a couple of days before you leave. Avoid rushing around, drink plenty of water, and also take it slow.

3. Pack warm clothing and dress in layers when you attend the horse racing festival. Owing to the high altitude, Nagqu in summer can still be cool, especially at night. Bring a warm coat, windproof jacket, thermal layers, as well as sun protection items like hats, sunglasses, etc.

4. It is recommended to show your respect and honor when attending the festival. Ask for permission before photographing, even though local Tibetans are always friendly. Bring some gifts to show your politeness when you visit the nomadic families in their tent camps.

Conclusion

The Nagchu Horse Racing Festival is not just a sporting event, it is also a rare chance for you to learn about Tibetan’s nomadic spirit and traditions. Besides watching the thrilling horse racing, you can also enjoy Tibetan dancing and singing, visit local nomadic tents, buy handicraft in open-air markets, etc.

If you are planning a summer visit to Tibet, take the chance to witness this grand festival celebration! As the leading Tibet tour operator with years of experiences, we are here to make your journey smooth and worry-free. Feel free to contact us or book your tour with us today!