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Although climatically speaking, Inner Mongolia belongs to a moderate monsoon climate,
you will still find it relatively dry, especially in the western regions. This autonomous
region can get bitterly cold in the winter and scorchingly hot in the summer, so watching
the weather forecasts before arrival is particularly worthwhile. The area is well known for the sharp temperature distinctions that separate the day
from the night, with the disparity often as large as 10 degrees C. It is therefore a wise
move to take warm clothes even in the heat of summer. Winter runs from December to March
and is a time when inhospitable winds and snow rage the land, and when the grasslands are
a sea of rusty brown - not ideal travelling weather. Generally the best time to visit is
between July and September, although from June until March temperatures can sometimes be a
little too stifling. Naadam Festival:
If you are in Inner Mongolia for cultural reasons, then the best time to visit is
definitely during the Naadam festival period. The Naadam festival is an ancient festival,
a part of the Mongol tradition stretching back in time with links to the Aobao
festival. The aobao"s are ancient stone piles that can be found all around Inner
Mongolia, especially on the grasslands.
The festival is a carnival of all things Mongolian, with many of the traditional sports
that should make the great Khans souls beam with pleasure. Among those activities most
commonly practiced are horse & camel racing, wrestling,
archery, singing and rodeo competitions.
The prizes for these festivities vary from region to region, ranging from trinkets &
skinny goats to fully equipped horses.
The festival is held on different dates every year, according to the traditional Chinese
calendar. Generally it is about the middle to the end of August when things kick off,
although it is worth asking nearer the time for exact dates. Probably the best place for
foreigners to experience Naadam is in Hohhot, where there is a
better chance to both participate and feel the more lively atmosphere. Most of the
activities are held in the Horse Racing Grounds
in the northern section of town. |
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