″Every July, Mongolia comes alive with the sound of hooves on the steppe. Naadam Mongolia’s most beloved national festival – turns the open grasslands into a stage for one of the world’s oldest equestrian traditions. And from HS Khaan Resort, you have a front-row seat.″
What is Naadam?
Naadgai meaning “games” in Mongolian is a three-day national festival celebrated every year from 11 to 13 July, marking Mongolia’s declaration of independence in 1921. It is sometimes called the “Three Games of Men“: wrestling, archery, and horse racing. Of the three, the horse racing is the most spectacular – and the most deeply rooted in Mongolian nomadic life.
Unlike most horse races in the world, Naadam racing is not about speed alone — it is an endurance test across open steppe terrain, with distances ranging from 15 km to 30 km depending on the age of the horse. The jockeys are children, aged between 5 and 13, dressed in traditional silks and riding bareback across the vast landscape.
The horse racing — what to expect
The races take place across open countryside, not in a stadium. Hundreds of horses are grouped by age — from young foals to mature stallions — and sent across the steppe in waves. Families line the route on horseback and foot, cheering their horses home. The arrival of the lead horses at the finish line is met with chanting, singing, and the splashing of airag (fermented mare’s milk) in celebration.
The Khui Doloon Khudag racecourse, around 35 km southwest of Ulaanbaatar, is the main venue for the national Naadam races — and it sits within easy reach of HS Khaan Resort, making the resort the perfect base for experiencing the festival without the chaos of the city.
The five race categories by horse age:
•Daaga— 2-year-old horses, 15 km race. The most emotional category — small foals, tiny jockeys.
•Shudlen — 3-year-old horses, 20 km race. Speed begins to show.
•Khyazaalan — 4-year-old horses, 24 km race.
•Soyolon— 5-year-old horses, 26 km race. High prestige.
Why HS Khaan Resort is the perfect Naadam base
Imagine waking up to a full breakfast on the riverside terrace, then setting off by private vehicle to the racecourse as the morning mist clears over the steppe. You arrive ahead of the crowds, guided by your driver to the best vantage points along the route. You watch the horses stream past — manes flying, children urging them on — before returning to the resort for a gourmet lunch and a quiet afternoon.
This is how Naadam was meant to be experienced: not fighting through crowds on a city bus, but arriving at your own pace, leaving when you choose, and retreating to comfort at the end of a long, extraordinary day.
