heymongolia
Culture & religion

Danshig Naadam & Tsam dance

A Buddhist festival reviving the old Khalkha tradition: masked Tsam dances by monks, plus wrestling, archery and horse racing.

Danshig Naadam revives a festival held in the time of the Bogd Khan, combining Buddhist ceremonies with the three manly games. The highlight is the Tsam, a ritual dance in which monks in large painted masks act out the victory of the Buddhist protectors over evil.

It takes place on the same open steppe at Khui Doloon Khudag used for the Naadam horse races.

  • When: Usually late July or early August
  • Where: Khui Doloon Khudag, west of Ulaanbaatar
  • Region: Ulaanbaatar

Tips

  • Check the year's dates locally
  • The Tsam dance is the part not to miss

Tours for Danshig Naadam & Tsam dance

  • TSAMBAGARAV SNOW-CAPPED MOUNTAIN & BEAUTIFUL LAKES OF WESTERN MONGOLIA (11 days · Several regions · Gobi Girl (Ikh Goviin Okhin) · from $3,035)
    An 11-day private trip from Ulaanbaatar to western Mongolia's big lakes and the snow-capped Tsambagarav mountain, with hiking, fishing and lakeshore camping.
  • Danshig Religious Festival & Gobi Desert Tour 2026 (12 days · Gobi Desert · Ayan Travel Mongolia · from $1,890)
    A 12-day trip combining the Danshig religious festival with Tsam masked dances near Ulaanbaatar and a loop through Hustai, Kharkhorin and the Gobi.
  • Best of Mongolia Danshig Naadam 2026 (Several regions · Juulchin Tourism)
  • Altai & Eagle Festival | Small Group Tour | 12 Days (12 days · Altai & the west · Eternal Landscapes Mongolia)
    A 12-day small-group trip in Bayan-Ulgii with a community eagle festival in Altai, stays with Kazakh families, and visits to Altai Tavan Bogd lakes and Tsambagarav.
  • Eagle Masters and Nauryz Celebration (8 days · Altai & the west · Wild Mongolia Partners · from $6,000)
    An 8-day small-group March trip to Bayan-Ulgii to stay with a Kazakh eagle-hunting family and take part in Nauryz spring celebrations near Tsambagarav.
  • In the Company of an Eagle Hunter (9 days · Altai & the west · Wild Mongolia Partners)
    A 9-day private trip flying to Ulgii to spend time with a Kazakh eagle hunter near the Tsambagarav Mountains, including hands-on workshops and local nomadic games.
  • Merveilles de l’Ouest (17 days · Several regions · Cheval des Steppes (Taliin Aduu) · from $2,690)
    A 17-day small-group trip across western Mongolia, through Zavkhan and Khovd to Bayan-Ulgii, with a two-day Tsambagarav trek and a Kazakh eagle hunter visit.
  • Golden Eagle Festival (6 days · Altai & the west · New Milestone Tours · from $1,850)
    A 6-day trip flying to Ulgii for the Golden Eagle Festival, with lakes and rock art around Tsambagarav and homestays with Kazakh and Uriankhai families.

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