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 . 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 ' . As a means to preserve the skill for future generations , the local government has also begun issuing monthly salaries of 300 - 500 yuan to falcon masters to encourage them to pass down their skills . Scroll down for video . A falconer holds his hunting eagle aloft during the annual festival held in the remote mountainous region of Xinjiang Uygur , China . Members of the Uygur , Kazak and Kirgiz ethnic groups have practiced the ancient tradition for generations . Every year falconers gather to compete in Akqi county , of Kezilesu Kirgiz autonomous prefecture , northwest China . A falconer holds his eagle prior to the beginning of the festival where participants compete in a range of competitions designed to test the ability of their hunting eagle . Hunters wear traditional costumes , complete with fur coats made of marmot , fox or wolf skins which have been caught by their eagles . 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 . The training and handling of the large birds of prey follows a strict set of ancient rules that local eagle hunters are attempting to preserve . The tradition of hunting with the huge eagles is said to have been started by the nomadic Khitans from Manchuria in northern China around 940AD . The eagles soar through the air at speeds of up to 200mph as they race to reach their keeper first , during annual festivals . Their hunting prowess is also tested as they chase meat pulled along by the horses . Other activities held during the competition include horse racing , archery and Bushkashi , which is a goatskin tug of war on horseback . It also sees awards handed out for Best Turned Out Eagle And Owner , Best Eagle At Hunting Prey and Best Eagle At Locating Its Owner From A Distance . The hunters wear traditional costumes , complete with fur coats made of marmot , fox or wolf skins which have been caught by their eagles . The more extravagant the coat the more respected the hunter is . Falconers travel one of the area 's remote roads on horseback on their way to compete in the annual festival . The well-trained eagles can fly through the air at speeds of 200mph as they race to reach their keeper first during the annual festival . Trained eagles , such as those pictured , are able to catch dozens of pheasants a day which their keepers can then sell at local markets . Two falconers travel side-by-side on horseback before their eagles are let loose in a race across the isolated region .
Amazing images show eagle hunters gathering for annual falconry festival in China 's remote Xinjiang Uygur region . The tradition of using birds of prey to hunt game goes back generations among communities in the isolated area . TL;DR A group of Chinese men are hunting eagles with falcons and other raptors at a remote mountain range near China's border with Kazakhstan, officials said.