Traditional horse racing festival in Nagqu showcases ethnic sports, cultural activities

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 7, 2025 shows contestants competing in the 2025 edition of a traditional horse racing festival in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Jiang Fan)

The 2025 edition of a traditional horse racing festival kicked off in Nagqu on Friday. The three-day festival held on the northern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau features sports competitions, art performances, and cultural tourism activities, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors.

Riders attend a blessing ceremony before a competition at the 2025 edition of a traditional horse racing festival in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Sept. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Jiang Fan)

A rider gestures during a blessing ceremony before a competition at the 2025 edition of a traditional horse racing festival in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Sept. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Jiang Fan)

Contestants compete in the 2025 edition of a traditional horse racing festival in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Sept. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

Contestants compete in the 2025 edition of a traditional horse racing festival in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Sept. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Jiang Fan)

Contestants compete in the 2025 edition of a traditional horse racing festival in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Sept. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 6, 2025 shows contestants competing in the 2025 edition of a traditional horse racing festival in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

Contestants wait to compete in the 2025 edition of a traditional horse racing festival in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Sept. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

Contestants wait to compete in the 2025 edition of a traditional horse racing festival in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Sept. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

Contestants compete in the 2025 edition of a traditional horse racing festival in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Sept. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

A horse owner soothes a horse at the 2025 edition of a traditional horse racing festival in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Sept. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

A horse owner leads a horse at the 2025 edition of a traditional horse racing festival in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Sept. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)