National Sports Stadium (Naadam)
Үндэсний төв цэнгэлдэх хүрээлэн
The main venue for the opening ceremony and wrestling of the annual National Naadam Festival in July, with parades in traditional dress, archery and lively Bökh wrestling.
The National Sports Stadium was built in 1958 and is rarely open to visitors outside events. Around 11 July each year, however, the National Naadam Festival makes it the focus of all Mongolia. The opening ceremony features cavalry in full dress, the entrance of the Nine White Standards and large-scale song and dance performances. This is followed by Bökh wrestling. Nearby, archery and knucklebone shooting take place, while horse racing is held on the grassland outside the city. Opening ceremony tickets are in high demand and prices rise during peak season, so book through a travel agency in advance, and reserve accommodation early too.
Opening hours
Open during Naadam festival (dates depend on the year's schedule)
Nearby sights
- Tumen Ekh Folk Song and Dance Ensemble
- Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan
- Choijin Lama Temple Museum
- State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet
- Sükhbaatar Square
- Zaisan Memorial
- State Department Store (Ikh Delguur)
- National Museum of Mongolia