2nd Int'l Maple Leaf Festival kicks off in Inner Mongolia

By Xiao Xinzhu: 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, October 20, 2017

Liu shihai, the Secretary of Party Committee of Horqin Left Rear Banner delivered a keynote speech of the 2nd International Maple Leaf Festival on Oct. 15, 2017. [Photo by Xiao Xinzhu/China.org.cn]

The 2nd International Maple Leaf Festival kicked off at Wudantala Forest Park of Horqin Left Rear Banner, Tongliao City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on October 15th, 2017.

The festival, jointly hosted by the government of Horqin Left Rear Banner and the Mongolian-language Channel of Inner Mongolia TV, is scheduled to last for three days.

Liu Shihai, the Secretary of Party Committee of Horqin Left Rear Banner delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony, stressing that this year's event was aimed at showcasing the eco-tourism and folk tourism resources of the Banner. "Endowed with abundant maple trees, Horqin Left Rear Banner has been making great efforts in creating its regional tourism and cultural brand for the last five years," Liu said.

Various performances by Mongolian dancing and singing groups in colorful costumes highlighted the opening ceremony.

Located in the southwest of Horqin Desert, the festival venue, Wudantala Forest Park, is 11 km south of 305 provincial highway. Covering an area of 70 square kilometers, the park presents a captivating view as autumn approaches, with its land emblazoned in gold, green and red.

The three-day festival featured various cultural and athletic activities by Mongolian people, including ovoo (sacred stone heaps used as altars or shrines in Mongolian folk religious practice) worship ritual, grassland wedding ceremony, parkour, Mongolian wrestling (known as Bökh) and cycling competitions. It has brought together thousands of locals and international visitors for the breathtaking autumn scene as well as the local Mongolian culture.

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