HOHHOT, China, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Two desert off-road festivals, Naiman "Group of Heroes" and FB-Life Alxa Hero Festival, kicked off on Thursday at two locations in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Hundreds of racers gathered for the Naiman "Group of Heroes" at the edge of Horqin Sandy Land in Naiman Banner, Tongliao City, in the region's east.

They will compete in a desert off-road tour, U2 desert rally challenge, UTV racing series and other events from October 1 to 7.

Organizers said this year's festival, delayed from June to October due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was the ninth of its kind.

In the Tengger Desert of Alxa League, in Inner Mongolia's west, more than 1,000 vehicles gathered for the annual off-road festival.

A total of 11 activities were scheduled during the five-day festival, such as desert cross challenge, all-terrain vehicle grand prix, and Team-3 challenge series.

The festivals overlap with China's eight-day "Golden Week" holiday.