Experience the “China’s Horse Racing Capital” on the Bends of the Yellow River
Welcome to Maqu—the “First Bend of the Yellow River” and the undisputed “Horse Racing Capital of China”. Nestled in the heart of the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, this remote grassland county along the Gansu-Sichuan-Qinghai border hosts one of the most authentic and exhilarating equestrian celebrations on the Tibetan Plateau.
The Maqu Horse Racing Festival, held annually from August 13 to 17, transforms the vast, lush grasslands along the Yellow River into a sea of colour, sound, and thundering hooves. Unlike the larger, more commercialised festivals elsewhere, Maqu offers an intimate and authentic window into Tibetan nomadic culture—a gathering where local herders and their families come to celebrate their heritage with pride and passion.
Maqu County itself sits at an average elevation of 3,500 meters, where the Yellow River makes its dramatic first major bend after leaving its source, creating a landscape of stunning beauty—vast wetlands, rolling grasslands, and distant snow peaks that seem to stretch into infinity. This is the land of the Amdo Tibetans, renowned for their horsemanship and their deep connection to the grasslands they have roamed for centuries.
Here, you will witness riders performing feats of extraordinary skill—snatching hada scarves from the ground at full gallop, demonstrating precision archery on horseback, and competing in races that test both speed and endurance. But the festival offers far more than racing: you’ll see traditional Tibetan wrestling, archery competitions, folk songs and dances, and perhaps most movingly, the gathering of nomadic families who have travelled for days to be here, dressed in their finest costumes and heirloom jewellery.
This journey begins and ends in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province, and takes you through the breathtaking landscapes of the Gannan Tibetan Plateau—from the monastic splendour of Labrang to the wetlands of the Yellow River’s first bend. Whether you’re a culture enthusiast, a photographer seeking authentic subjects, or simply a traveller in search of one of the Tibetan Plateau’s most genuine celebrations, the Maqu Horse Racing Festival promises an experience you will treasure forever.
Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights
Start/End City: Lanzhou, Gansu Province
Festival Dates: Annually, August 13–17
Physical Rating: Moderate (High altitude, some walking)
Max Altitude: Approx. 3,500m (Maqu County) · Best Season: Mid-August (festival period)
Highlights
- Experience "China's Horse Racing Capital": Witness the most authentic equestrian celebration in the heart of the Amdo Tibetan Plateau, where local herders compete with pride and passion.
- Stand at the First Bend of the Yellow River: Visit the dramatic point where the Yellow River makes its first major turn after leaving its source, creating one of the most beautiful wetland landscapes on the Tibetan Plateau.
- Witness Traditional Equestrian Feats: Marvel as Amdo horsemen snatch hada scarves from the ground at full gallop, demonstrate precision archery on horseback, and compete in thrilling speed races.
- Immerse in Nomadic Culture: Walk among thousands of traditional Tibetan tents pitched across the grasslands, where families gather in their finest costumes and most treasured jewellery.
- Discover Labrang Monastery: Explore one of the six great seats of the Gelugpa order, home to over 1,500 monks and a living centre of Tibetan Buddhist learning.
- Experience the Sangke Grassland: Journey through vast alpine meadows dotted with yaks and sheep, with opportunities to visit nomadic families.
- Taste Authentic Tibetan Cuisine: Sample traditional foods like tsampa, yak butter tea, and Tibetan noodles in local settings.
