标签： Asia

The frozen grasslands of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region have undergone a remarkable transformation, with traditional summer equestrian activities now creating a vibrant winter tourism economy. Across Xiliin Gol League and Ulaanqab city, the thunder of galloping hooves echoes across snow-covered plains as Mongolian herders have successfully adapted their cultural traditions to the harsh winter months.

The recently concluded third Winter Mongolian Horse Super League final, held alongside the Ice and Snow Naadam Festival, represents a strategic reinvention of Mongolian cultural practices. These winter events, running from January through April, have effectively eliminated the region’s traditional tourism offseason, bringing unprecedented economic activity to previously dormant winter landscapes.

At the heart of this transformation lies a sophisticated breeding program that has developed the ‘new Xiliin Gol horse’ – a crossbreed combining the cold-resistant genetics of local Mongolian mares with the speed and power of imported British thoroughbreds. This innovative breeding approach allows the horses to withstand temperatures of -30°C without supplemental feeding while achieving competitive racing performance.

The economic impact has been substantial. Local herder Buhe reported that his yurts are now fully booked throughout winter, with visitors flocking to experience traditional Mongolian culture, including camel caravans, horse racing, wrestling, and sampling local delicacies like fermented mare’s milk.

Supported by significant policy initiatives, including 12 national-level horse protection zones and seven conservation farms, Inner Mongolia’s equine industry has undergone a comprehensive modernization. The region, home to approximately 800,000 horses, has seen imports of over 2,000 high-quality international breeds while simultaneously conducting genetic research to identify and preserve key genes related to cold tolerance and endurance.

According to Erhenbatu, farm manager at Inner Mongolia Grassland Thoroughbred Horse Breeding Co., premium ‘new Xiliin Gol horses’ now command prices up to 80,000 yuan ($11,530), with record sales reaching 220,000 yuan for exceptional specimens.

This cultural and economic renaissance represents a successful model of traditional practices adapting to modern tourism demands while preserving genetic heritage and creating sustainable winter economies in previously marginalized regions.

Nestled in the mountainous terrain of Shanxi province, the remote village of Xiadongzhai has captured national attention through its preservation of an extraordinary cultural tradition. The ancient practice of Paomapai—a breathtaking bareback horse-riding ceremony—has transformed this community of approximately 200 residents into a focal point of cultural heritage conservation.

On March 4th, corresponding with the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, the village erupted in vibrant celebration as participants honored the Year of the Horse through daring equestrian displays. Forty-five-year-old Dong Jinxiang, a truck driver by profession, led this year’s procession with exceptional skill, maintaining perfect balance without saddle or stirrups along ancient narrow paths that echo the region’s historical significance.

The origins of Paomapai trace back to the late Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD), when the area served as a critical military corridor connecting Shanxi, Hebei, and Henan provinces. Military messengers, pressed by wartime urgency, developed the technique of riding without saddles to maximize speed and efficiency. Over centuries, this practical military necessity evolved into a cherished cultural tradition, now boasting over a millennium of continuous practice.

Recent years have brought significant recognition to this unique heritage. In 2021, Paomapai achieved designation as a national intangible cultural heritage, followed by its inclusion in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024 as part of the broader ‘Spring Festival—Chinese New Year Celebrations’ project.

The ceremony follows meticulously preserved rituals beginning with the sounding of ceremonial gongs. The first gong prompts villagers to spread ash and sand to level pathways, the second signals mounted ‘lamp officials’ to inspect the route, and the third initiates the main event. The celebration features drum troupes, yangge dancers, and traditional shehuo performers, creating an immersive cultural experience that connects contemporary participants with ancient traditions.

Dong Jinxiang, who began riding at age 14, represents the continuity of this cultural legacy. ‘This year marks my first time leading the charge,’ he remarked. ‘It means greater responsibility and improved fortune.’ His succession of previous messenger Dong Huping demonstrates the intergenerational transmission of knowledge that sustains this living heritage.

The international recognition and subsequent media attention have provided Xiadongzhai with unprecedented visibility, showcasing how ancient traditions can thrive in modern contexts while maintaining their historical authenticity and cultural significance.

In the war-ravaged northern Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City, a powerful symbol of resilience emerges daily just before sunset during Ramadan. A sandy field, once buried under the rubble of homes destroyed by Israeli military operations, now hosts the revived ‘Neighborhood League’—a grassroots football tournament providing a crucial sense of normalcy for Palestinian youth.

The players, many competing barefoot due to the scarcity and high cost of sports shoes, clear the pitch themselves amidst uneven terrain and scattered debris. Spectators form human boundaries along the edges, while shattered walls serve as makeshift stands. The tournament follows a distinctive format: five-player teams (one goalkeeper, four outfield players) compete in two 30-minute halves. A team scoring two goals before regulation automatically wins, with penalty kicks deciding tied matches.

For 20-year-old Hamdi al-Shamali, the games represent more than sport. ‘Playing football is a way to feel a sense of freedom,’ he explained. After two years of suspension due to war, destruction, displacement, and economic hardship, he and his peers spent long hours clearing broken concrete and transporting beach sand to level the ground. ‘This place was full of broken concrete and debris,’ al-Shamali recalled.

The emotional significance runs deeper than competition. Eighteen-year-old Samer al-Kahlout, who lost both brothers in an Israeli airstrike, finds returning to the field emotionally challenging. ‘Everything reminded me of them,’ he shared. Yet through courage, he now plays in their memory: ‘Football is no longer just a game for me. It is a way to release what is inside. I dedicate every goal to my brothers.’

Sixteen-year-old goalkeeper Othman Harara, who lost a hand when his home collapsed during the conflict, guards the goal with a single glove and quick movements. His participation carries profound meaning: ‘Playing football shows that we are still here.’

Elder residents like Tawfiq Abu Assi, who has followed the tournaments for years, draw hope from the spectacle. ‘When I see the young people playing despite the difficulties,’ he observed, ‘I feel that Gaza is still alive.’ Amidst overwhelming loss and trauma, this simple football league becomes an act of psychological healing and community defiance.