Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 kicks off in China’s Xizang

Horse racers parade during the opening ceremony at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)

Champion rider and horse are congratulated after winning the invitational 12,000m walking race of famous horse at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)

Horse racers compete during the invitational 12,000m walking race of famous horses at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and a trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Champion rider and horse compete during the invitational 10,000m speed race of a famous horse at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and a trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)

A horse racer competes during the invitational 10,000m speed race of a famous horse at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and a trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

A rider performs during the opening ceremony at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

A rider falls while performing hada collecting during the opening ceremony at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)

Champion rider and horse competes during the invitational 12,000m walking race of famous horse at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)

Champion rider and horse cross the finish line during the invitational 12,000m walking race of famous horse at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Na Yuqi)

Horse racers compete during the invitational 10,000m speed race of famous horse at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)

Horse racers compete during the invitational 10,000m speed race of famous horse at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Horse racers compete during the invitational 10,000m speed race of famous horse at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

A woman performs during the opening ceremony at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

A rider performs during the opening ceremony at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)

Horse racers compete during the invitational 12,000m walking race of famous horse at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

A rider performs during the opening ceremony at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and a trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)

A horse owner leads a horse at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)

Horse racers compete during the invitational 10,000m speed race of famous horses at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and a trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Artists perform during the opening ceremony at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)

A rider performs horseback archery at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)

Champion rider and horse competes during the invitational 12,000m walking race of famous horse at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Na Yuqi)

Horse racers compete during the invitational 12,000m walking race of famous horse at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Na Yuqi)

A rider performs traditional horse stunts during the opening ceremony at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)

Horse racers compete during the invitational 12,000m walking race of famous horse at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)

Champion rider and horse cross the finish line during the invitational 10,000m speed race of a famous horse at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and a trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)

Champion rider and horse crosses the finish line during the invitational 10,000m speed race of a famous horse at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and a trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Na Yuqi)

Riders perform during the opening ceremony at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances and a trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

Artists perform during the opening ceremony at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances, and a trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

Riders perform during the opening ceremony at the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival 2026 at Gesar Racecourse in Nagqu, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2026. Featuring traditional equestrian contests, ethnic sports performances, and a trade fair, the event kicked off here on Monday, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors.

Reference Link:- https://english.news.cn/20260811/8a42e2096bbb4a1fa1a2332b8e03985f/c.html

Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan Founder & Chair, Global Silk Route Research Alliance

Zamir Ahmed Awan is the founder and Chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance, a think tank in Islamabad. He studied engineering at Shanghai University in the 1980s, and years later he went back to China as Pakistan's science counsellor in Beijing, from 2010 until 2016, working on science and higher education cooperation between the two countries.…