Mongolia annually celebrates the birthday of Chinggis Khaan on the first day of winter on the traditional Mongolian calendar as a national holiday, also known as National Pride Day. This year, the 845th birthday of the national hero - the “Man of the Millennium”, and a symbol of Mongolian pride and unity - will be celebrated next Monday, October 31. Alcoholic beverages will not be sold on Monday and most markets will be closed for the holiday. Below are some holiday schedules to be aware of:

BORDER CHECKPOINTS TO CLOSE ON MONDAY

All road checkpoints at the Chinese border will be closed on October 31. All border checkpoints must close on national holidays, as specified in Article 4.3 in the intergovernmental agreement between Mongolia and China on border checkpoints and procedures. Railway stations and airports will operate with their normal schedules on this day.

DRIVING RESTRICTIONS LIFTED

The Traffic Police will not enforce license plate driving restrictions on Monday to commemorate National Pride Day. Restrictions will resume enforcement on Tuesday.

WRESTLING TOURNAMENT TO TAKE PLACE

A traditional wrestling tournament is being organized on Chinggis Khaan’s birthday at the Wrestling Palace. The tournament will challenge 128 state and province champion wrestlers to compete to determine the ultimate wrestler in Mongolia.

CHINGGIS FESTIVAL 2016 TO KICK OFF

Genco Tour Bureau JSC is hosting Chinggis Festival at the Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex on October 30 and 31, to promote Mongolia and its traditional nomadic lifestyle, culture, and history on National Pride Day. The event features a tour of the Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex, a horseback riding tour, visits to the Mongolian Empire Museum, the “Script of the Eternal Sky” calligraphy exhibition, other independent art and illustration exhibitions, and a short film about the establishment of the complex. Students of Mongolian State University of Arts and Culture will perform the historic plays “Jamukhiin Uchil” and “Temuujin”, both about the early life of Chinggis Khaan. Participants will also be able to get calligraphy done and compete in a quiz offering a 200,000 MNT prize for the winner and 100,000 MNT for the runner up. Anyone born on October 31 or who has the name Chinggis or Temuujin will be exempt from the day’s entrance and tour fees.