Mongolia, located in Central East Asia between Russia and China, has a glorious history and a diverse culture. Archaeological evidence shows that the country has been inhabited for over two million years. There are various places in the country where interested tourists can see dinosaur fossils and see prehistoric cave paintings. A land of various tribes in its early years, the country was unified under the rule of its great ruler Genghis Khan in the 12th and 13th centuries. Under him and his successors, the Mongol empire formed the world’s largest continental empire stretching from Korea and Hungary and encompassed many countries, cultures and languages.
Ruins of ancient cities, Buddhist temples and stone cairns called ovoos are still found dotting the countryside and magnificent high altitude mountains. The erstwhile capital of the Mongols, Karakorum, and Erdene Zuu Monastery that houses 108 stupas are a must visit for any tourist. The monastery was reconstructed at the end of the last century and is now maintained by the democratic government of Mongolia. The boundaries of the complex are very unique as they have been marked by turtles carved from stone.
Mongolia is also quite rich on the cultural front. The Naadam festival is one of the most important summer festivals of the Mongolian people. It is an annual sporting event wherein the locals participate in traditional sports like horse riding, wrestling and archery. Mongolians prize the strength, skill and dignified character that are the hallmark of the great wrestler champions of Naadam.
Mongolian hospitality is well known and is a very important part of Mongolian society and culture. Travellers are welcomed to the gers of the nomads to share cheese, yoghurt, and the fermented mares’ milk, airag which is also cherished by Mongolian city dwellers.
Mongolian music reflects a deep love and pride that Mongolians have for their country, its pristine beauty and wilderness. Khoomi singing, also known as throat singing, is quite famous. It allows the singer to produce harmonic tones that can mirror the sounds of waterfalls, the steppe winds blowing, and the chants of Buddhist monks and can be mysterious and mesmerising at the same time.
Ruins of ancient cities, Buddhist temples and stone cairns called ovoos are still found dotting the countryside and magnificent high altitude mountains. The erstwhile capital of the Mongols, Karakorum, and Erdene Zuu Monastery that houses 108 stupas are a must visit for any tourist. The monastery was reconstructed at the end of the last century and is now maintained by the democratic government of Mongolia. The boundaries of the complex are very unique as they have been marked by turtles carved from stone.
Mongolia is also quite rich on the cultural front. The Naadam festival is one of the most important summer festivals of the Mongolian people. It is an annual sporting event wherein the locals participate in traditional sports like horse riding, wrestling and archery. Mongolians prize the strength, skill and dignified character that are the hallmark of the great wrestler champions of Naadam.
Mongolian hospitality is well known and is a very important part of Mongolian society and culture. Travellers are welcomed to the gers of the nomads to share cheese, yoghurt, and the fermented mares’ milk, airag which is also cherished by Mongolian city dwellers.
Mongolian music reflects a deep love and pride that Mongolians have for their country, its pristine beauty and wilderness. Khoomi singing, also known as throat singing, is quite famous. It allows the singer to produce harmonic tones that can mirror the sounds of waterfalls, the steppe winds blowing, and the chants of Buddhist monks and can be mysterious and mesmerising at the same time.
