On May 7, 2026, the Genghis Khan Mausoleum Tourist Area in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, hosted the Spring Intangible Cultural Heritage and Cultural Tourism Series—the 512 Bökh Elite Competition. A total of 512 Bökh wrestlers competed on the same stage, showcasing their strength and skills.
The event took place at the Nadam venue within the 5A-level scenic area. In the morning, wrestlers dressed in colorful silk belts entered the arena in sequence, waving their strong arms and following the rhythm of the vigorous Eagle Dance. On the field, pairs of competitors engaged in intense bouts, demonstrating both power and technique in their offensive and defensive transitions, thrilling the audience. Around the arena, cheers and shouts from spectators created a lively and passionate atmosphere.
Bökh is a traditional Mongolian sport and entertainment activity, ranking first among the three major Mongolian sports. It is an essential core event in both the Obo sacrifice and the Nadam Fair. In 2006, Mongolian Bökh was included in the first batch of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative List by the State Council of China.
One of the participants, Irugletu, stated that the greatest significance of competing in this Bökh contest was to let more people appreciate the unique charm of Bökh, one of the three manly arts of the Mongolian people.
One of the event organizers, the Hanggin Banner People’s Government of Ordos, noted that this activity not only enriched the spiritual and cultural life of people from all ethnic groups but also built a solid platform for inter-ethnic communication and integration, injecting sustained momentum into the high-quality development of the local economy and society.
