Summer livestock migration begins on Inner Mongolia grassland(1/5)

A herder cracks his whip while driving his horses toward the summer pastures on the Ar Horqin Grassland in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on July 1, 2026. (Photo: China News Service / Chen Feng)

The annual summer livestock migration kicked off on the Ar Horqin Grassland in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on July 1.

Known as "Otor" in Mongolian, the traditional practice sees local herders move their livestock from winter pastures to summer grazing grounds with more abundant water and grass. This year, over 1,200 herder households are relocating 85,000 head of livestock in an orderly migration expected to last three days.

A herder splashes milk to bless his family's livestock before the summer migration on the Ar Horqin Grassland in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on July 1, 2026. (Photo: Bao Yibo)

A herder swings a pole to guide sheep toward the center of the pasture on the Ar Horqin Grassland in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on July 1, 2026. (Photo: China News Service / Chen Feng)

A herder rides a motorcycle while driving horses and sheep toward the summer pastures on the Ar Horqin Grassland in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on July 1, 2026. (Photo: Yuan Yuan)

A herder rides a motorcycle while driving cattle toward the summer pastures on the Ar Horqin Grassland in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on July 1, 2026. (Photo: Jin Jiang)