Desert Nadam kicks off in Naiman Banner

An opening ceremony for a Desert Nadam kicks off at Baogutu desert tourist area, in Naiman Banner, Tongliao city, in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region on June 6. [Photo/people.com.cn]

An opening ceremony for a Desert Nadam -- a local festival involving sporting, cultural and other events -- was held at the Baogutu desert tourist area, in Naiman Banner, Tongliao city, in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region on June 6.

Baogutu desert is the closest desert to Beijing and rated by many as the largest and most beautiful desert in Northeast China. It is the birthplace of U2 cross-country motor racing and contains ancient cultural relics and remains.

The birthplace of the Desert Nadam, a series of activities such as Naiman cross country competitions (various competitions for motorcycles and off-road vehicles and Mongolian traditional competitions), Naiman wedding festivals and a Naiman international photography exhibition were organized for the event from June 6 to 11.

The Desert Nadam aims to make use of the diverse tourism resources with the unique ethnic features of the Baogutu Desert Tourism Area, to enable tourists and outdoor sports enthusiasts from all over the country to come and enjoy the desert scenery and experience the colorful culture of Naiman Banner.

In recent years, Naiman Banner has continuously promoted the integration of national fitness with its characteristic tourism, folklore and cultural activities.

It has developed its holistic cultural tourism, improved its tourism infrastructure, optimized its tourism-related services, enhanced the cultural aspects of tourism, and strived to promote the Desert Nadam as one of the four major nadams in region.

According to local media reports, in order to enhance participation in and the entertainment of the Desert Nadam, a series of activities – including campfires, a food festival, a low-altitude flying show and desert waster-splashing festival – were organized this year.

At the same time, Naiman Banner's characteristic agricultural and sideline products, ethnic tourism products and local cultural and artistic works went on display during the event.

Contestants in a motocross competition await the starting gun on June 6. [Photo/people.com.cn]