MONGOLIA- THE LAND OF BLUE SKY
GEOGRAPHY
Land of Genghis Khan is a landlocked country in central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and the People's Republic of China to the south, east and west.
Nature has bestowed a contrasting terrain to Mongolia. In the south the Gobi Desert is contrasted in the north and west by the Mountains. The average altitude being 1,580 meters above sea-level, this place has clear sunny skies and a pleasant weather. Much of Mongolia consists of steppes. The highest point in Mongolia is the Khüiten Peak in theTavan bogd. The basin of the lake Uvs Nuur, shared with Tuva Republicin Russia, is a natural World Heritage Site.
CAPITAL
Ulan Bator, the Capital and largest city, is home to about 38% of the population. Mongolia's political system is a parliamentary republic.
LANGUAGE
The official language of Mongolia is Mongolian, although English is now beginning to be widely used by many residents of the capital. The Russian language is another frequently spoken foreign language in Mongolia.
DISTRICTS
Mongolia is divided into 21 aimags (provinces), which are in turn divided into 315 sums (districts). The capital Ulan Bator is administrated separately as a khot (municipality) with provincial status.
DEMOGRAPHY
Mongolia's total population as of July 2007 is estimated to be 2,951,786.Though the majority of Mongolian citizens are of Mongol descent there are small populations of Kazakh, Tuvan, and Tungus peoples. Mongolia's population growth rate is estimated at 1.2%. About 59% of the total population is under age 30, 27% of whom are under 14. This relatively young and growing population has placed strains on Mongolia's economy. Mongolia has become more urbanized. About 40 percent of the population lives in Ulaanbaatar.
ECONOMY
Mongolia is an agrarian economy. It was traditionally base on agriculture and breeding of livestock. Having a rocky topography it has extensive mineral deposits of copper, coal, molybdenum, tin, tungsten and gold. The Democratic Union Coalition (DUC) government, 1996–2000, has embraced free-market economics, easing price controls, liberalizing domestic and international trade, and attempting to restructure the banking system and the energy sector. Mongolia joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1997. Tourism is a booming industry and one of the fastest growing sectors for the Mongolian economy. To enhance the marketing of Mongolia as a tourist destination the Mongolian National Tourism Organization (MNTO) has been formed.
CLIMATE
It is said that Mongolia can experience four seasons in a single day. This seems especially true in spring when changeable weather creates snowstorms intermixed with bouts of wind and sun. Owing to the varied topography the country experiences extreme continental climate. Most of the country is hot in the summer and extremely cold in the winter, with January averages dropping as low as -30°C (-22°F). The winters are long and summers are short. Most of the rainfall occurs in the summer season itself. The highest rainfalls occur in the taiga areas (subarctic coniferous forests of Siberian larch and pine trees) along the northern border, especially Khentii and Khövsgöl. The country is also subject to occasional harsh climatic conditions known as zud. Ulan Bator has the lowest average temperature of any national capital in the world. Mongolia is high, cold, and windy.
CURRENCY
The Mongolian currency is called tögrög (MNT or tugriks) and it is not a convertible hard currency. The US dollar is the only recommended currency at present. The US dollar is in fact an accepted form of payment and a reasonable amount of small US notes should be carried. It is now possible to also change Euro and most other convertible currencies at Ulaanbaatar cambios. It is possible to change traveller’s cheques in the capital. Banks cash traveller cheques, and they do so against a fee of 2 percent if you need cash US dollars, and without a commission if cashing tögrögs.
FOOD
Due to the continental cold weather, dry and windy atmosphere Mongolian dishes contain foods that are high in calories and vitamins. This is the reason why Mongolians use a lot of meat in winter and pretty many dairy products in the summer. The most common and famous dishes in Mongolia are Boodog, Khorkhog (meat cooked with hot stones) and last but not least Buuz. As for the drinks most famous ones are Airag (fermented mare’s milk), Shimiin Arkhi (further distilled yoghurt) and Suutei Tsai (wild herbal tea with milk and salt).
TRAVEL
When to Visit
The land of Blue Skies has 260 sunny days a year. May seems fine but may have snowfall, especially in north. Being an inland country, it has extreme climates. July is the busiest season, as it is Naadam Festival time. It is the peak tourist season. August is rainy and Mongolia receives a new life in this season. This is the best time to visit as the steppes are covered with fresh grass. September is another fine month. Cooler weather brings relief to the Gobi and the changing colours in the northern forests make for spectacular scenery. The cold season runs from November to February.
HOW TO REACH
Airports & airlines
Ulaanbaatar’s Chinggis Khaan airport is Mongolia’s major international airport. The only other airport with international flights is Ölgii, which is connected to Kazakhstan. Online booking is available through its website. Most people fly in from Beijing, Berlin or Moscow; there are additional nonstop flights from Osaka and Seoul. In July and August, most flights are full, so book well in advance. Airlines flying to and from Mongolia are Aero Mongolia, Aeroflot, Air China, Korean Air, and MIAT.
Trains
Trans Mongolian Route is one of the most interesting routes. The weekly Trans-Mongolian train leaves Moscow for Beijing every Tuesday night. The 7,621 km journey takes 6 days. This train crosses Siberia, cuts across Mongolia and the Gobi desert, then enters China and passes through the Great Wall. There's a second weekly train between Moscow and Ulan Bator. Alternatively, there are daily trains between Moscow and Irkutsk and a daily train between Irkutsk and Ulan Bator. There are two trains a week between Ulan Bator and Beijing.
PLACES TO VISIT
A beautiful blend of various topographies, this blue skied country has kept alive its history in the remains of the past, the unique culture and arts. Nature’s art can be clearly seen in untouched beautiful landscapes, the scenic Gobi Desert, mountains, hilly steppes and lakes. The jungles are adorned by the indigenous species of wildlife, and the hospitable nomadic people just complete the amazing trip.
Gobi Desert
The largest desert of Asia, The Gobi is a rain shadow desert formed by the Himalaya range blocking rain-carrying clouds from reaching the Gobi. The Gobi is an endless vast steppe with mirage that Hallucinates objects, fine golden sand dunes and many other unusual phenomena. It lies to the south of Mongolia. In its golden sand and high dunes The Gobi hides the history the great Mongol Empire. Not only this, it gives an insight of the dinosaurs’ age. The world's first nest of dinosaur eggs was discovered at Bayanzag in the South Gobi.
A jeep tour is mostly advisable; though riding Bactrian camels across Mongolia’s highest dunes is also exciting. Stay is generally arranged in the traditional Ger tents or camel lodge.
Khongoryn Els (Singing Dunes) Omngobi Aimag
This is one of the few areas of sand dune formations. Up to 200m tall and many km long, the Khongoryn Els are a popular tourist destination.
Gobi Gurvan Saikhan or Three Beautiful mountains
• Gobi Gurvansaikhan Park is the site where the remains of the largest lizards, The Dinosaurs, are found. Mongolia is the second country in the world with its reserves of dinosaur fossils. Richest localities of late Crafeceous dinosaurs in the world are located in the surrounding of Gobi Gurvansaikhan in Bayanzag, Turgegeen Shireh, Dzamyin Khond, Uden Sair, Ukha Tolgod, Nemegt, Altan Ula, Bugeen Tsav, Gurilyin Tsav etc. Many unique dinosaur skeletons were found from those localities such as "Fighting two dinosaurs (Veloceraptor and Protoceratops)", "Embryo of Oviraptorsaur", "Infant of Protoceratops babies", "Complete Skeletons of Giant Carnivorous dinosaur Tarbosaurus", "Eggs of Dinosaurs".
• The higher elevations contain areas of steppe. A number of rare plants and animals are found in the park, including the elusive snow leopard and the Gobi Camel.
• The highest peak is East Beautiful, 2800m, which is close to Dalanzadgad. Another major tourist destination is Yolyn Am, a mountain valley that contains a large ice field through most of the year. The picturesque gorge of Eagle valley, and the Singing Sands, a spectacular sea of sand dunes bordered by red sandstone formations, an oasis and a forest just add to the beauty.
• The site of the Ongiin River, where the ruins of Ongiin Temple stand is the half way point between the two major travel destinations – the South Gobi and Karakorum. A number of travellers tend to spend a night on this spot in this area, during their journey between the southern Gobi desert and Central Mongolia.
Hovsgol Lake
Mongolia is not only the land of blue sky but is also the ornamented by the ‘Dark Blue Pearl,’ The Hovsgol Lake. Located in the Hovsgol province in the Hangai mountain range was developed in tectonic depressions created during the formation of the Baikal Rift System. Due to its large size the water remains very cold. It is ice covered till the month of June. Mother Nature welcomes the brief summer by carpeting the mountains with the wildflowers, the fireweed.
This lake is the fourteenth largest source of fresh water lake in the world and at the same time it is the deepest lake in Mongolia. Bordered by the alpine trees, this serene blue clear lake is a jewel of.
National Parks
The Hovsgol National Park includes the complete watershed of the Lake, and the Hor’dal Sor’dag Mountains to the west; almost 900,000 ha of taiga forest, grassland, tundra, and Lake Hovsgol. The park is the habitat of a variety of wildlife such as ibex, argali, elk, wolf, wolverine, musk deer, brown bear, Siberian moose and sable. One can find rarest of rare plant species too in this well kempt park. Thus it is s haven for nature lover.
Terelj National Park has spectacular scenery with meadows carpeted with edelweiss and a dazzling variety of other wild flowers, the fascinating rock formations against a backdrop of pine covered mountains and the wooded banks of a mountain stream. It is medicine for the eyes. Visitors can take leisurely strolls in the park. There are also a huge number of adventure activities such as rafting, riding, hiking, skiing, camping and mountain biking.
Khan Khentii Mountain National Park is one of the Mongolian natural and historical treasures, declared by UNESCO as world heritage site; this is the native land of Genghis Khan and contains many important historical and cultural sites. The park is landscape of transition from Siberian taiga forest to grass steppe. Khan Khentii is covered with forests, taiga, and mountain forest steppe. It is the land described in The Secret History of Mongols, a literary monument of the nation, and is a protected area located northeast of the capital city.
Bogd Khan Mountain National Park contains sacred mountains and rock carvings, over 300 plant varieties, animals such as boar, fox, hare, wolf, squirrel, eagles and woodpeckers, plus a deer farm. You can also visit the Manzushir Khid 18th century monastery in the southern reserve. The Monastery overlooks a beautiful valley of streams and pine, birch trees, dotted with granite boulders. There are ample opportunities to explore the nomad's lifestyle and sample airag, the fermented mare's milk that is the traditional nomad beverage. This place is also ideal for trekking and hiking.
Sports
Fishing
Inhabiting nine different species of fishes including salmon, (bony) sturgeon, grayling and lenok, Hovsgol is an exciting place for those who would like to try their hand at fishing. A fishing permit costs around Tug10 0 and is valid for three days or 10 fish, whichever comes first. You can get them from the park rangers, Khatgal's Government House or MS Guesthouse.
Horseback Trekking
In Mongolia travel like Mongolians! Explore the wilderness on horseback, discover uncharted paths, cross mountain passes and get the feeling of being among the local heard. Enjoy their hospitality and get a glimpse of the traditional way of life. Well-organized logistical supports make the horseback expeditions accessible to most, but a basic knowledge of horseback riding is preferable.
Hiking
Trekking or hiking in the National Parks of Mongolia is a fantastic experience! Mongolia is a wonderful place for trekkers with its vast green steppes with short hills, beautiful mountains and river valleys. The hiking trip features Mongolian Forest Mountains, bare mountains with lower altitude, rivers, lakes and hilly steppes. Taking part in the exciting trip you will visit the famous Terelj National Park, trek crossing the sacred Tuul valley toward Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve- a hidden paradise. During the trek you will have opportunities to visit local nomadic families to see how they live and tend their livestock, watching the incredibly starry skies at nights.
CITIES TO VISIT
Karakoram
You can relive history of the 13th century in the city of capital city of Genghis Khan ‘Karakorum’. Its ruins lie in the northwestern corner of the Övörkhangai Province of Mongolia.
The Orkhon river valley (some 360 km southwest of Ulaanbaatar), inseparably linked with Kharkhorum, keeps attracting the interests of not only the Mongolians, also foreigners due to its combination of grassland nomadic culture with remains of ancient urban, centralized or highly socially structured societies, strong religious evidence, and where above all these remains are of national and international importance.
True to its words this city of ruins also has The Erdene Zuu Monastery, which is probably the most ancient surviving Buddhist monastery in MongoliaIt is part of the World Heritage Siteentitled Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape. Stones from the ruins of Karakorum were used in construction. It is surrounded by a wall featuring 108 stupas. The monastery temples' walls were painted, and the Chinese-style roof was covered with green tiles. Today Erdene Zuu is an active Buddhist monastery as well as a museum that is open to tourists.
Ulaanbaatar
Capital city of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, is the commercial center with the stock exchange,trade building, post offices and many other such offices. The capital city is the hub of international and domestic flights, train service and long distance buses. The city has kept intact the cultural heritage is the seat of major art and culture establishments, museums, and educational institutions. Monasteries are an integral part of the city.
• The Gandantegchinlen Khiid Monastery, formerly known as Ganden Monastery, is a Tibetan-style monastery in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar that has been restored and revitalized since 1990. It has over 150 monks in residence and it features a 26.5-meter-high statue of Migjid Janraisig, a Buddhist bodhisattva also known as Avalokitesvara. It features 2,286 precious stones and gold leaf as adornments. Another monastery in the capital city is Choijin Lama Monastery.
• The Winter Palace, built by Bogd Khan remains as a museum of the last monarch. The complex includes six temples, many of the Bogd Khan's and his wife's possessions are on display in the main building.
• Ulaanbaatar has several museums dedicated to Mongolian history and culture. The Natural History Museum features many dinosaur fossils and meteorites found in Mongolia. The Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts contains a large collection of Mongolian art, including works of the 17th century sculptor/artist Zanabazar, as well as Mongolia's most famous painting, One Day In Mongolia by B. Sharav.
• Sukhbaatar Square, in the government district, is the centre of Ulaanbaatar. In the middle of Sükhbaatar Square, there is a statue of Damdin Sükhbaataron horseback. On the north side of Sukhbaatar Square is the Mongolian Parliament building, featuring a large statue of Chinggis Khan at the top of the front steps. Peace Avenue the main thoroughfare through town runs along the south side of the square. Useful landmarks include the Trade & Development Bank building, the twin towers of the Bayangol Hotel, the Central Post Office and the Palace of Culture, the Zaisan Memorial (a memorial to Soviet soldiers killed in World War II), are around this hub of the city.
• Shopping in Ulaanbaatar- There are many uniquely Mongolian artifacts one can buy in Ulaanbaatar. Perhaps the most popular product with tourists is the high quality cashmere made here. You can buy from the factory shops, the department store and various museum shops. Camel hair is wonderfully warm and thicker than cashmere and is left its natural tan colour. It is slightly cheaper than cashmere and makes beautiful waistcoats and jackets.
Naadam Festival
The true culture and tradition of ancient Mongolia comes alive in the colourful, spectacular and the most awaited festival of the year Naadam. “Three Manly Sports” is the other name for this festival. The games are Mongolian wrestling, horse racing and archery and are held throughout the country during the midsummer holidays. Women have also started participating in the archery and girls in the horse-racing games. The biggest festival is held in the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar during the National Holiday from July 11th – 13th, in the National Sports Stadium. It begins with an elaborate introduction ceremony featuring dancers, athletes, horse riders, and musicians. After the ceremony, the competitions begin. The opening ceremony features marches and music from soldiers, monks and athletes before the real fun begins! The opening ceremony is a must see event with colourful costumes and the beautiful performances of the country’s best artists and the eagle dance of powerful giant wrestlers. The three days frenzy will let you relive the history in Mongolian style.
Mongolia, the ancient realm of Genghis Khan, has emerged from the shadow of Communism and is now open to the world. Begin your travel to discover the history, culture and people of Mongolia. So get the unforgettable experience of this diversified land and enjoy the hospitality of Mongolian Nomads.
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