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- Traditional Mongolian Wrestling (Bökh) — Raw, loud, and surprisingly theatrical. Wrestlers wear the distinctive open-chested jacket and briefs, leap into short explosive bouts, and celebrate with ritual dances and songs. No weight classes, huge local pride, and the crowd gets right in the action — great for people-watching and feeling how central strength and ceremony are to the festival.
- Long-distance Horse Racing — Horses run for tens of kilometers across the open steppe, and the sight of dozens of ponies thundering by is something else. Races are about endurance more than style; jockeys are often lightweight riders (sometimes young), so be aware of cultural differences while you watch. For me this is the stand-out — nothing beats the speed, the scenery, and the raw energy of the race
- Traditional Mongolian Wrestling (Bökh) — Raw, loud, and surprisingly theatrical. Wrestlers wear the distinctive open-chested jacket and briefs, leap into short explosive bouts, and celebrate with ritual dances and songs. No weight classes, huge local pride, and the crowd gets right in the action — great for people-watching and feeling how central strength and ceremony are to the festival.
- Long-distance Horse Racing — Horses run for tens of kilometers across the open steppe, and the sight of dozens of ponies thundering by is something else. Races are about endurance more than style; jockeys are often lightweight riders (sometimes young), so be aware of cultural differences while you watch. For me this is the stand-out — nothing beats the speed, the scenery, and the raw energy of the race day (personal favorite).
- Archery with Traditional Gear — Not target archery with modern kit: this uses traditional bows and long-range targets, and there’s a real emphasis on technique and ritual. The rhythms of calling, scoring, and the distinctive leather thumb-protection make it feel ancient and very local. It’s quieter than wrestling or racing but incredibly authentic.
- Morin Khuur, Singing and Dance — The horsehead fiddle and regional singing tie the whole festival together — mournful strings, bright throat-style vocals in places, and dancers in embroidered deels. These performances give the event a musical backbone; they’re the moments when the spectacle becomes emotive rather than just loud.
- Yurts, Food, and Market Atmosphere — Walk the encampments, try airag (fermented mare’s milk), bite into khuushuur or buuz, and haggle for felt hats or silver jewelry. The stalls, food smoke, and impromptu gatherings are where you meet locals, learn the small customs, and get real travel stories. It’s the everyday life of the festival, but turned up loud.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.