Join a Real Ice and Snow Naadam Festival! Winter Carnival by the Morgerle River

If your trip coincides with New Year's Day or the Spring Festival, don’t miss the most thrilling event on the grasslands—the Ice and Snow Naadam! This is definitely a highlight activity to enhance your travel experience. 🎉 Complete Guide to the Ice and Snow Naadam Family Experience What it is: Naadam is a traditional sports festival of the Mongolian ethnic group. The winter "Ice and Snow Naadam" adds more snow-based events, creating a lively atmosphere. What to watch (core events): Horse and Camel Racing: Riders dressed in colorful ethnic costumes gallop across the snowy plains, the sound of hooves like thunder—this is the most exciting part. Bokh (Wrestling): Mongolian-style wrestling, a contest of strength and skill. Watching the wrestlers’ eagle-like entrance will surely captivate children. Archery: The quiet beauty of precision. You can observe competitors calmly nocking arrows and aiming in the cold wind. Snow Herding and Horse Training: Showcasing the Mongolian people's superb horseback skills, thrilling and exciting. Folk Performances and Rituals: Includes ethnic songs and dances, costume displays, and traditional fire and ovoo (sacred stone heap) ceremonies, rich in cultural atmosphere. What to play (visitor participation): Usually, there is a visitor experience area at the venue, such as snowmobiles, camel sledding, and snow tubing, allowing children to fully enjoy the snow. 🗓️ How to Plan Your Trip to Encounter Naadam Check the dates: The festival dates vary each year. Follow official announcements from the "Hulunbuir Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism" or the "Hailar District Tourism Bureau" in advance. It generally takes place from late December to February. Arrange your itinerary: Naadam usually starts in the morning and lasts most of the day. It’s recommended to stay the night before in Hailar or Chen Barhu Banner (near the venue) and head to the site early in the morning. What to wear: This is an outdoor standing event, so be sure to dress for extreme warmth! Use foot warmers, hand warmers—dress as if you’re going to Antarctica. 🏨 Accommodation Options During Naadam During Naadam, hotels like Muyun Mountain Top may be fully booked or closed. A reliable choice is to return to Hailar city for lodging, such as "Hulunbuir Hotel" or "Baifu Yue Hotel," which offer guaranteed quality and many dining options. Booking in advance through Trip.com is key. 🔥 Sample One-Day Naadam Tour Itinerary Morning: Depart from Hailar to the Naadam venue (location may change yearly, check announcements). Watch the opening ceremony and main events like horse racing and wrestling. Noon: Enjoy a simple meal provided by herders at the venue (such as mutton soup, steamed buns), or bring your own snacks. Afternoon: Participate in snow entertainment activities and watch folk performances. Afterwards, visit the Morgerle River viewing platform to see the winter sunset. Evening: Return to Hailar and celebrate this thrilling day with a feast. This is not just a sports event but a window into the spirit of the nomadic people. Let your children feel the power, courage, and joy—it will be the most vivid highlight of your journey.