Horse Racing Festivals in Tibet: Gyantse, Damxung and Nagchu
Every summer the nomads and farmers of Tibet put on their best clothes, saddle their finest horses and gather for the horse racing festivals. Three are the most famous: Gyantse in the farming country of the south, Damxung on the grassland north of Lhasa, and Nagchu, the biggest of all, on the high plateau of northern Tibet. All three fall in early August.
When Are the Horse Racing Festivals in Tibet?
In early August. The Nagchu horse racing festival opens every year on 10 August. Gyantse and Damxung set their dates each summer, and in recent years both have been held in the first half of August — Gyantse ran from 3 to 8 August in 2024, and Damxung opened on 8 August in 2020. We confirm each date as soon as it is announced.
| Festival | Where | What happens | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gyantse Horse Racing (Dama) | Below the old fortress of Gyantse, Shigatse region | Horse racing and archery from horseback, yak racing, warrior dances, stone lifting, a barley food fair and a market; a giant thangka and masked dances at the monastery | Early August — set each year by Gyantse county, 5–7 days |
| Damxung Horse Racing (Dangjiren) | The racecourse in Damxung, on the grassland north of Lhasa | A 12 km endurance race for young riders, trotting races, archery, stone lifting, songs and dances, and a busy nomad market | Early August — 3 days of racing |
| Nagchu Horse Racing (Qiangtang Chaqing) | The Gesar racecourse in Nagchu, northern Tibet, about 4,500 m | The biggest: 13 kinds of speed races, picking up a khata scarf from the saddle at full gallop, Gesar epic singers, grassland concerts and a tent city several kilometres long | Every year on 10 August — 3 main days |
Which Horse Racing Festival Should I See?
One is enough — choose by your route. The festivals are alike: horses, riders in their finest clothes, archery and a market. If your trip goes to Everest, Gyantse is on the way. If you love the open grassland and nomad life, go north to Nagchu, the biggest and most colourful of the three. Damxung is the closest to Lhasa, on the road to Namtso Lake.
Our Horse Racing Departures 2027
- Friday 30 July 2027 — Gyantse Horse Racing Departure. Our Everest group tours on this date reach Gyantse on 3 August. If the racing day moves, we rearrange our nights in Shigatse so you are in Gyantse on the day. See the departure
- Thursday 5 August 2027 — Nagchu Horse Racing Departure. Seven days: three days in Lhasa, then north through Reting to Nagchu the day before the opening, so you see the whole first morning on 10 August. 7 Days Nagchu Horse Racing Tour
Our promise. If your trip is in Tibet during both the Gyantse horse race and the Damxung or Nagchu races, we make sure you see at least one of them. We don’t put two horse races in one tour — one is the highlight, two would feel the same.
Tips for the Horse Racing Festivals
- Spend a few days in Lhasa first. Nagchu lies at about 4,500 m and Damxung at about 4,200 m, higher than Lhasa.
- Book early. The few hotels in Nagchu and Damxung fill up weeks before the races.
- Bring a warm layer and rain gear. August days are sunny on the grassland, but the wind is cool and it often rains at night.
- Ask before you take photos of people, and keep a safe distance from the race track.
See also the Tibetan festival calendar and Summer Holidays in Tibet. Questions? Send us a free inquiry — we answer within 12 hours, Monday to Saturday.
Frequently asked questions
When is the horse racing festival in Tibet?
In early August. The Nagchu horse racing festival opens every year on 10 August. Gyantse and Damxung set their dates each summer, and in recent years both have been held in the first half of August.
Which is the biggest horse racing festival in Tibet?
Nagchu, on the high grassland of northern Tibet. Nomads come from all over the region, and a tent city several kilometres long grows up around the Gesar racecourse.
Can I see more than one horse racing festival?
We don’t plan two horse races in one tour, because they are alike and one is the highlight. But if your trip is in Tibet during both the Gyantse race and the Damxung or Nagchu races, we make sure you see at least one of them.
Can foreign travellers visit the horse racing festivals?
Yes. You travel with our guide and vehicle, and we arrange all permits for your route.
How high is Nagchu?
About 4,500 metres, higher than Lhasa at 3,650 metres. Spend at least three easy days in Lhasa before going north.
We answer within 12 hours, Monday to Saturday.