A participant competes in camel polo during a camel festival, in Mandalgovi, Dundgovi province, Mongolia, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Bolortsetseg/Xinhua)

ULAN BATOR, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A camel festival was held in Mongolia's southern province of Dundgovi on Sunday to promote tourism and pass on the camel culture to the next generations.

Under the auspices of Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, the camel festival is being organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry as well as the provincial governor's office.

Hundreds of camel herders and camels across the nomadic country participated in the two-day festival held in the provincial capital city of Mandalgovi.

The festival features camel racing, camel polo, camel parade, camel relay races, and an exhibition of camel products.

In 2025, the camel population in Mongolia exceeded 501,000, according to a livestock census.

Dundgovi is located in the south of the Asian country, about 240 km from the capital city of Ulan Bator. ■

Participant compete in camel polo during a camel festival, in Mandalgovi, Dundgovi province, Mongolia, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Bolortsetseg/Xinhua)

Participants competes in a camel racing during a camel festival, in Mandalgovi, Dundgovi province, Mongolia, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Bolortsetseg/Xinhua)

A participant competes in mounted archery during a camel festival, in Mandalgovi, Dundgovi province, Mongolia, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Bolortsetseg/Xinhua)

Participants are seen during a camel festival, in Mandalgovi, Dundgovi province, Mongolia, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Bolortsetseg/Xinhua)

A participant tries to mount a camel during a camel festival, in Mandalgovi, Dundgovi province, Mongolia, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Bolortsetseg/Xinhua)