VI
EN
Khövsgöl Ice Festival
Winter in Mongolia is extremely harsh. There are times when temperatures drop below -50 degrees Celsius, and it's often said that anyone who survives this winter is truly courageous! But for the Mongolians, it's normal, even a source of joy. Every March, people gather on Lake Khövsgöl in Khatgal to celebrate the long, harsh winter.
As the largest freshwater lake in Mongolia, Khövsgöl belongs to the group of special "ancient lakes" because it has existed for over a million years.
A person is ice skating on the ancient lake of Khövsgöl.
Frozen from November to May, Lake Khövsgöl transforms into a magnificent ice rink during the Khövsgöl Ice Festival. Over the two days, a series of events take place around the lake, including chariot races, ice sumo wrestling, archery competitions, bone-throwing games, ice sculpting contests, and more. All of these events unfold in the freezing cold on the thick, slippery ice of the lake.
The festival is made even more special by the participants wearing colorful traditional costumes representing the 21 diverse regions of Mongolia. A bonfire ceremony follows, honoring the region's strong and Shamanistic beliefs, and concealing some of the most unique eating rituals.
* In some countries around the world, such as Mongolia, South Korea, and Russia, there is a strange and mysterious religion called Shamanism. This type of religion was prevalent at the end of the tribal system, with the appearance of Shamans (also known as sorcerers) in society, whose task was to "connect" people with supernatural forces.
How do I participate?
To save time, travelers can choose to take a flight from Ulaanbaatar to Murun, the capital of Khovsgol province. For a more adventurous option, take a local bus from Ulaanbaatar to Murun. In the 12-hour journey, the vast Mongolian countryside will unfold before your eyes. From Murun, a local truck or taxi will take you to Hatgal – a small town on the shores of Lake Khövsgöl – serving as a base from which to begin your exploration.
Additionally, you should hire a guide (available from many tour companies in Ulaanbaatar) to lead you from the capital to the lake area where the festival takes place. A little secret: the trip will be much more enjoyable if you experience the bumpy roads in an old Soviet UAZ vehicle, as it will give you a feeling of being immersed in the wild nature and allow you to see the winding, dusty steppes firsthand. Finally, you should spend a night staying with a local nomadic family to experience their culture and way of life.
