NAKCHU HORSE RACE
August,
as the most important festival in North Tibet during the golden
season on the grassland, thousands of herdsman throng to Nakch
riding fine horses, and carring the local products. They form
a city of tents south of Nakchu town. There will be thrilling
horse race, archery and demonstrations of horsemanship. Song and
dance troupes from all parts of Tibet willaddto the fun.
During the month of August over 10,000 people will cross high
passes of more than 4000 m(13123 ft) by foot, horse and jeep to
make their way to Nakchu Racecourse, to run their horses, eat,
drink and enjoy themselves during the annual horse festival holiday.
This racecourse, at 4500 m(14763 ft), is undoubtedly the highest
located racecourse in the world. Crowded along the hillsides are
white tents housing monks, pilgrims, nomads, and city dwellers
who come from Lhasa and all over Hor, the urban and farming communities
of northern Tibet. During this time of festivities and dance,
everyone dresses in their finest and most colorful clothing and
adorns themselves with chunks of gold and turquoise jewelry. After
the races, we 
will
camp by Lake Namtso-Chukmo, Tibet's largest saltwater lake, which
is also considered one of its most sacred. Seventy km long and
30 wide, it takes pilgrims 18 days to complete a korla, or a circumnavigation,
around the lake. Lake Namtso-Chukmo is also home to migratory
birds between April and November; if we are lucky, we may be able
to see the rare black-necked crane.
Exhibition of strength during the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival
Song and dance performance during the Horse Racing Festival held
on the Nagqu Grasslands
Tug-of-war during the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival
Tibetan equestrians at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival
