Athletes have fully enjoyed the fierce competitions featuring the passion and power of the nomadic lifestyle at the fifth World Nomad Games held in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan.
The games, ran from Sept 8 to 13, have attracted over 2,500 athletes to compete in 21 events, including competitions that nomadic peoples have enjoyed for centuries.
Some unique sport events are gaining global popularities, for example, cowboys from the United States have taken an active part in kokpar competitions.
Kokpar, also known as "goat-pulling", is a traditional game where horse-mounted players battle for possession of a decapitated goat carcass, attempting to throw it into special goals. It's a combination of rugby and horseback riding.
"The 2016 World Nomad Games we were invited by the U.S. embassy and the Kyrgyz. Friends who know friends at the embassy said we can bring cowboys that can play. The horses are bridge between the two cultures," said Scott Zimmerman, a member of the U.S. kokpar team.
Another very popular sport is the power competitions. Similar to Hercules competitions around the world, men compete with the heaviest weights to lift the highest, carry the farthest, last the longest at the nomadic games.
There are five disciplines, including carrying of a 100-kilogram stone, throwing a 10-kilogram javelin and lifting a 130-kilogram log on shoulder.
Chinese strongman Deng Jie did quite well at the games, and hoped more people from his country could show their strength at the future World Nomad Games.
"I also hope that more Chinese people will like strength and sports. China is very strong. I hope to let the world see that China is strong," said Deng Jie.
More traditional folk games are taking place in Astana's Alau Ice Palace sports stadium, such as the Asyk Atu, where athletes try to win by hitting targets from a certain range.
"Asyks" are the dried knee joints of a sheep or a ram. The player who knocks out eight asyks first becomes the winner.
"Every nation should know its history. Sport is not only history, it is also the present and the future, so today we must popularize and teach children many rules that our athletes play. They must be preserved and improved," said Kamchibek Uzakbaev, president of Asyk Atu Kyrgyzstan.
Some of the sports here are seen in many cultures, such as archery and the familiar tug of war, but the games aren't only about physical capabilities, but also intellectual strength, such as board games.
The World Nomad Games take place every two years, and the 2026 version is expected to be held in Kyrgyzstan.
World athletes enjoy fierce, unique competitions at World Nomad Games
China's Mid-Autumn Festival travel market remained stable this year, with tourists favoring local and short-distance trips blending travel with festive reunions and rich cultural experience, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the most important festivals in Chinese culture, is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar and dates back for more than a millennium. As a festival in honor of the moon and harvest, families reunite on the occasion to admire the bright full moon, light lanterns and share the holiday pastry of mooncakes.
Local getaways and short trips were particularly popular during the holiday, with Chinese-style night tours which allow tourists to enjoy the full moon with their families, emerging as a major trend.
These night excursions, featuring moonlit boat cruises, bonfire parties, performances showcasing intangible cultural heritage (ICH), and outdoor concerts, provided visitors with a rich and immersive cultural experience while also becoming a key highlight for promoting local culture and stimulating holiday consumption.
Data from online travel platforms showed a 77 percent surge in searches related to night tours of ancient towns and gardens, while searches for night boat cruises increased by 42 percent.
"ICH performances boast deep cultural significance and unique artistic appeal, while concerts create an immersive experience that emotionally resonates with visitors. The growing trend of tourists dressing in traditional costumes for scenic photoshoots has also taken off, allowing them to express their individuality in creative ways," said Wang Jinwei, a professor at the School of Tourism Sciences of the Beijing International Studies University.
Following the summer vacation's longer and more demanding trips, and ahead of the week-long National Day holiday from Oct 1 to Oct 7, most people used the shorter Mid-Autumn Festival break for time with family and recharge.
The three-hour high-speed rail networks, where travelers can move between cities within three hours — such as the network connecting east China's Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, and Shanghai, or those linking Guangzhou City and Shenzhen City in south China, Chengdu City and Chongqing Municipality in southwest China — saw particularly frequent movement.
Self-driving trips, or combining high-speed rail with car rentals, remained popular among travelers moving between cities within a province or across neighboring provinces.
"As travel expectations rise, more tourists are seeking relaxed and comfortable travel options, as seen during this Mid-Autumn Festival," Wang added.
Local, short-distance, cultural vibes tours lead China’s Mid-Autumn Holiday travel
