Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Sacred Drago Buddhist Site Allegedly Turned Into Horse Racing Track
In a place called Tibet, there is a county named Drago.
People there had a special place with a statue of Buddha that was very important to them.
Some groups say that holy place has been changed into a track for horse racing.
The groups use satellite pictures and stories from people who saw it to show this happened.
The track is now called the Drago County Red Army Cavalry Division Racecourse.
The people making these claims think the change is part of a bigger plan to reshape Tibetan culture and identity.
The Chinese government says its actions in Tibet are meant to keep the region stable and help it grow and modernize.
Because the two sides disagree, people around the world are talking about religious freedom and preserving old cultures.
Advocacy groups allege that a revered Buddha statue site in Drago (Drakgo) County, Tibet, has been transformed into a state-backed horse-racing venue.
Satellite imagery and eyewitness accounts cited by rights groups show the location now hosts the Drago County Red Army Cavalry Division Racecourse.
The racecourse reportedly replaced what was once an important Tibetan Buddhist landmark.
Rights groups argue the development reflects a broader effort to reshape Tibetan identity.
China has defended its policies in Tibet as promoting stability, economic development and modernization.
- Who
- Advocacy and rights groups on one side, and the Chinese government on the other.
- What
- Allegations that a revered Tibetan Buddhist Buddha statue site in Drago County was turned into the Drago County Red Army Cavalry Division Racecourse.
- When
- Not specified in the article; the claims are based on current satellite imagery and eyewitness accounts.
- Where
- Drago (Drakgo) County, in Tibet's Tibetan regions.
- Why
- Rights groups say the change reflects efforts to reshape Tibetan identity, while China defends its Tibet policies as promoting stability, development and modernization.
Advocacy and Rights Groups
Chinese Government
Transformation of the Drago site
Advocacy and Rights Groups
The revered Buddha statue site has been replaced by a state-backed racecourse, erasing an important Tibetan Buddhist landmark.
Chinese Government
China has not directly responded in the article but consistently defends its Tibetan policies as modernization and development.
Intent behind the development
Advocacy and Rights Groups
The change reflects a broader effort to reshape Tibetan identity.
Chinese Government
The policies promote stability, economic development and modernization in Tibetan regions.
Religious and cultural impact
Advocacy and Rights Groups
The development signals erosion of religious freedom and cultural preservation for Tibetan Buddhists.
Chinese Government
Beijing's governance in Tibetan regions is framed as positive, with no acknowledgment of harm to religious heritage.
- Location
- Drago (Drakgo) County, Tibetan region
- Original landmark
- Site of a revered Buddha statue, an important Tibetan Buddhist landmark
- Alleged replacement
- Drago County Red Army Cavalry Division Racecourse
- Evidence cited
- Satellite imagery and eyewitness accounts cited by advocacy groups
- Nature of venue
- State-backed horse-racing venue
- Government position
- Policies defended as promoting stability, economic development and modernization
- Core debate
- Religious freedom and cultural preservation in Tibetan regions