article_snippet: These incredible pictures show the ancient art of falconry as it is still practiced in the harsh mountainous region that straddles the border between Russia, China and Kazakhstan.
article_snippet: The traditional hunting method is a prominent part of the culture in the autonomous Xinjiang Uygur region, where falconers gather every year to compete in a place known as the 'Village of the Falcon'.
article_snippet: A falconer holds A falconer hunting eagle aloft during the annual festival held in the remote mountainous region of Xinjiang Uygur, China .
article_snippet: Every year falconers gather to compete in Akqi county, of Kezilesu Kirgiz autonomous prefecture, northwest China .
article_snippet: A falconer holds A falconer prior to the beginning of the festival where participants compete in a range of competitions designed to test the ability of participants hunting eagle .
article_snippet: Since November 2010, falconry - which is predominately practiced by the Uygur, Kazak and Kirgiz ethnic groups - has been listed by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
article_snippet: Falconers travel one of the area's remote roads on horseback on their way to compete in the annual festival .
article_snippet: Two falconers travel side-by-side on horseback before Two falconers are let loose in a race across the isolated region .
highlights_snippet: Amazing images show eagle hunters gathering for annual falconry festival in China's remote Xinjiang Uygur region .
  