Artists stage shows at the opening ceremony of the 2nd China Horse Culture Festival and the First Inner Mongolia International Horse Culture Expo, which is held at Inner Mongolia Ethnic Minority Mass Culture and Sports Activity Center in Hohhot, capital of North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on the night of Aug 18. [Photo/people.com.cn]

The opening ceremony for the 2nd China Horse Culture Festival and the First Inner Mongolia International Horse Culture Expo was held at Inner Mongolia Ethnic Minority Mass Culture and Sports Activity Center in Hohhot, capital of North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region on the night of Aug 18, marking the start of an exciting eight-day horse pageant.

With a slogan of "share with the world", local ethnic Mongolian artists demonstrated the region's rich culture and the uniqueness of Mongolian horse customs to audiences using traditional Mongolian instruments and song and dance performances, during the opening ceremony.

Drones provided a modern touch, with large number taking to the air to create a light display depicting images connected to the region.

Children in traditional Mongolian clothing from a local choir sing the patriotic song Me and My Motherland in Chinese and Mongolian at the opening ceremony, Aug 18. [Photo/people.com.cn]

At the same time, to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, a local choir sang the patriotic song Me and My Motherland in both Chinese and Mongolian.

According to local media reports, more than 50 activities in eight categories, including horse events, contests, performances, and exhibitions will take place during the eight-day pageant.

A man shows off his equestrian skills at the opening ceremony on Aug 18. [Photo/people.com.cn]