The 34th Naadam Festival kicked off in Xilinhot City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Sunday, attracting about 100,000 tourists and locals to attend.

Naadam, usually held in mid-summer and sometimes in winter in pastoral areas of Inner Mongolia, means "games" in the Mongolian language. It often comprises wrestling, archery, and horse racing, also known as the "Three Games of Men."

Immense crowds watched on at the festival's opening ceremony as scores of horseback riders and mopeds took to a grassy field in a show of festive spirit. Traditional dances from the region also livened up the show, as did colorful explosions in the field's background.

This year, the festival will run until the end of August, offering a vibrant array of events such as sports competitions, cultural performances, opportunities to savor local cuisines, and exhibition showcasing the region's intangible cultural heritage.Horse shows, costumed dancing kick off 34th Naadam Festival in Inner Mongolia