Bortala Festivals and Events

Nadam Grassland Festival

Nadam is Mongolian transliteration, meaning "entertainment" or "game", which is originated in Aobao-worshipping. It is a Mongolian traditional festival. Every year in summer and autumn, Bortala holds the festival. During the festival, the Mongolian, Kazak, Uygur, Han, Hui and some other ethnic people dress in ceremonial clothes and reach grassland by riding horses or taking cars from all directions to participate in and watch horse racing, wrestling, archery, equestrian sports competition, etc. Mongolian, Kazak herdsmen often choose the grand and propitious festival to have their wedding. Now, Bortala’s Nadam Grassland Festival is one of the three most grand tourism festival in Xinjiang.

Corban Festival

Time: December 10th of the Islamic calendar
Activities: In the early morning of the festival, Muslims bathe and then wear neat and formal clothes to go to the mosque to attend their ceremonies. Whether in the cities or the countryside squire, grand Meshrep dancing shows are held. Colorful and wonderful decoration is made during the event. And there are all kinds of snacks as well. Except the Muslims, other nationalities like Kazak, Kirgiz, Tajik, Uzbek all have their own activities to celebrate, such as horse racing, wrestling, and other game activities.

Lesser Bairam

It is the end of the month of Ramadan. Ramadan refers to the 9th month of the Muslim year when Muslims do not eat or drink between dawn and sunset. During the Ramadan, Muslims are required to restrain all desires and cut off all the evil thoughts to show their earnest beliefs to Allah. The atmosphere of Ramadan is solemn and majestic. Such a life lasts for a month.