Horse-sleigh races, ice sculptures and ice-skating on the frozen "Blue Pearl" of Mongolia.
When Lake Khuvsgul is frozen up to a metre thick, locals gather on the ice for sleigh races, ice sumo, tug-of-war and ice sculpture contests. Reindeer-herding Tsaatan families sometimes come down from the taiga, and shamanic ceremonies bless the lake.
What you'll see
- Horse-sleigh and skating races
- Ice sculptures
- Tsaatan reindeer herders
- Walking on crystal-clear ice
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More festivals
Full calendar →
January–February (lunar calendar)
Tsagaan Sar — Lunar New Year
The "White Moon" family holiday: steamed buuz, greetings to elders and the first sunrise of the year.
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Early March
Thousand Camel Festival
Camel races, camel polo and a parade of Bactrian camels in the Gobi.
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11–13 July every year
Naadam Festival
The "three games of men" — wrestling, horse racing and archery — and Mongolia's biggest national holiday.
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