
Every summer, herders (牧人) in Inner Mongolia move their animals to new grasslands. This is called “Otor” in Mongolian. It is a very old tradition.
In June, over 1,200 families start the big move. They take their sheep, cows, and horses to summer pastures (牧场). The grass there is fresh and green, and there is plenty of water. The animals walk for many days. Some families travel over 100 kilometers.
The herders live in tents along the way. At night, they cook dinner under the stars. When they arrive, the animals are happy to eat the new grass. By moving often, the grass has time to grow again. The herders say this tradition keeps both the grasslands and the animals healthy.