(This text material comes from chinadaily.com.cn. Forreference only. )

Since the daysof Genghis Khan, competitors have gathered each summer to show off their skillsin horseback riding, archery and wrestling. Xing Yi and Yuan Hui explore thescene in Hohhot.

Summer is theideal time to visit the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, not only because the lush grasslands stretch as far as the eye can see, but also because it's awonderful time to experience Mongolian culture as local people celebrate thetraditional Naadam festival.

The festival iscelebrated in a number of places. Typically, people from a neighborhood gettogether, but the gathering can even comprise thousands of people.

One of the places where Naadam - which runs from July 23 through July 29 - is celebratedis Chilechuan, a scenic spot in the Tumd Right Banner, 70 kilometers west ofthe capital Hohhot.

Naadam, whichmeans game or competition in the Mongolian language, typically features threecontests for men - horse riding, archery and wrestling.

The origins ofthe festival can be traced back to about 800 years, when Genghis Khan(1162-1227) ruled most of the northern Mongolian tribes.

Then, in orderto inspect his army and unite the tribes, Genghis Khan used to organizegatherings of soldiers from different tribes to showcase their skills.

Over time, thefestival has morphed into a cultural and sports event for locals and tourists.

As for theNaadam held in Chilechuan, nearly 1,000 competitors from around the region takepart in the traditional Mongolian sports events.

"We brought80 horses and 30 riders to compete," says Nars, the chairman of the horseassociation in Uxin Banner in Ordos, a prefecture-level city west of Hohhot.

In the past,people usually rode to the nearest pasture for Naadam, but nowadays they travelto different regions to compete for prizes and honor.

"There aremore places which celebrate Naadam now compared with 10 years ago. Next month,we will attend a Naadam in Ordos," says Nars, whose team drove seven hoursto attend the Chilechuan Naadam.

For Nominquluu,a 54-year-old Mongolian bow maker, Naadam is very important to preserve theMongolian tradition of archery.

"Withoutthe competition, the festival cannot be called Naadam," he says.

TraditionalMongolian archery requires a bow which is very different from its moderncompatriot. It is made from a bull's horns and hardwood or bamboo without suchparts as an aiming device or a shock absorber, and it requires more strength touse.

"Mongolianbows had disappeared after the 'cultural revolution' (1966-76), and so had theskill of traditional bow-making." says Nominquluu, who went to Mongolia tolearn the lost craft in 2005, before becoming an active promoter of the skill.

As for othersports there is traditional Mongolian wrestling. Called bokh in the locallanguage, it symbolizes strength and courage.

One of itsdefining features is the dance that the combatants perform as they enter orexit the arena. The dance has both physical and spiritual aspects; it helps thewrestlers show their respect for nature and their opponents, while providing agood warm-up.

Meanwhile, atChilechuan, a Mongolian prayer ceremony is performed before the start of allcompetitions.

Erdeneqad, 51,who works at the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan, performs the ritual before a tablethat holds roast lamb, dairy products and parched rice.

During theritual, a group of seniors utter chants which praise the feats of Genghis Khan.

"Noteveryone can perform this ritual," says Erdenegad.

"Therituals require people with special training."

The openingceremony of the Naadam at Chilechuan also saw a grand pageant of 600 ethnicMongolians wearing traditional costumes, and a performance by Chinese,Mongolian and Russian singers.