Aug 05 2008
Travel to Mongolia
Mongolia is a huge land three times the size of France located in northeast Asia bordering with China in the south and with Russia in the north. The territory has been far greater during the mongole expansion led by Ginghis Khan and Kublai Khan, which included up to the XX-th century an important part of Siberia and a region that is now located in China.
The countrys name is often associated with the lonely tuaregs wondering on the camels through the great Gobi desert, and the mercyles mongol riders galloping through the plains.
Mongolia is also known as the country of “blue sky” and is one of the highest countries as altitude, the average altitude being 1580 km.
The capital city of Mongolia is Ulan Bator situated along the river Tuul and surrounded by superb mountains. Although in most of Ulan Bator you can still see the former communist regimes scars, the city is in full economic development. Tourism is also flourishing because of the beauty of the area. Ulan Bator is situate between four mountains considered sacred: Chingeltei, Bayansurkh, Tsetseegum and Songino Khairkhan.
Other popular tourist destinations are the many monasteries here. One of the most beautiful is Amarbayasgalant Khiid. Few people get permission to enter the monastery, but those who do get to see the beautiful paintings, splendid arhitecture and the 30 monks living here isolated from the troubles of the world. The monastery was built by the manchurian king Kansu in 1737.
Khustain Nuruu National Park was established to protect the steppe regions and to protect the famous takhi horses, a true symbol of Mongolia, which became an indangered species recently because in the 60’s locals started hunting them for meat.
Khövsgöl Nuur, an alipine lake situated in the mountains is another popular pilgrimage place. It is the deepest lake in Asia and it is considered sacred. It is surrounded by 2000m high mountains and has water so clean you can drink. The place can be seen in its natural beauty whit all the green forests and wild life because as it is considered sacred and the locals never kill an animal or destroy nature in this palce. The place is huge, the total size of the lake being of 2760 square km.
The remains of the former capital that Ginghis Khan built at Karakorum in 1220 is also a popular tourist destination although most of it has been destroyed by the savage tribes along the years.
Gurvansaikhan is the most popular place in the Gobi desert. From here tourists can go visit the local tribes that still live in isolation, see the hundreds of species of birds here, leopards and wild camels and they can go on hiking trails in the superb surrounding mountains where ancient dinosaur remains can still be found.
Mongolia is just one of the many countries stagnated by the communist regime to evolve and show the world its beauties but it is quickly catching up and becoming an important country economically and many tourist now choose destinations here.
I have to suggest a few corrections and additions.
“lonely tuaregs wondering on the camels through the great Gobi desert”.
There are no tuaregs in Asia. Tuaregs live in northern Africa.
“Although in most of Ulan Bator you can still see the former communist regimes scars, the city is in full economic development.”
While I understand the use of the term “scars” I have to disagree that these are scars. Lack of maintenance after the fall of the Socialist regime has caused many of the buildings from that era to deteriorate. However, many have been renovated both inside and outside these days and sell like hotcakes. What disturbs me nowadays in Ulaanbaatar is the proliferance of modern but shoddily built apartment blocks and high rises. Many are worse than eye sores. Most wouldn’t pass the building codes of the US or European countries. Most are also far inferior to the houses from the Socialist era.
“One of the most beautiful is Amarbayasgalant Khiid.”
I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting this far, far away khiid, unfortunately. But right in the middle of Ulaanbaatar is the magnificent yet small Choijin Lama monastery museum. IMO a much better choice for the time strapped tourist than Erdene Zuu or Gandantegchinlen. Both are easily visited (Erdene Zuu is located some 200 hundred km west of the city. Gandan is a 10 minute walk from Sukhbaatar Square) but Choijin Lama monastery is more deserving of your precious time.
Manshir Khiid and Tuvkhun Khiid are also good choices. Manshir Khiid is only a hour’s drive south of the city. Tuvkhun Khiid is a 1-2 hours’ drive from Khujirt and involves walking up the mountain on which the temple is perched. Beware, this is quite a heavy climb of about an hour.
The story of theresurrection of the takhi, or Przwewalksi’s horse, is wonderful. See this article ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takhi ) on wikipedia for starters.
“The place can be seen in its natural beauty whit all the green forests and wild life because as it is considered sacred and the locals never kill an animal or destroy nature in this palce.”
While the area remains beautiful it’s no longer true that it’s unspoilt. Illegal logging also takes place in this region. And poaching for fur and valuable birds is on the rise all over Mongolia. Too few people benefit sufficiently from the growing economy.
Other areas of Mongolia are now suffering from mercury polluted rivers from illegal gold mining; water drunk by the herds of the people in the countryside.
“former capital that Ginghis Khan built at Karakorum in 1220″
When does a camp of tents become a capital city? That’s the core question here. Until Ogedei Khan the place Karakorum didn’t have walls. And though Chinggis Khaan has spent time there, he was mostly on the move waging yet another war. Where the Khaan went, is where the seat of government was, which was mostly not in Karakorum during the reign of Chinggis Khaan.
“Gurvansaikhan is the most popular place in the Gobi desert. From here tourists can go visit the local tribes that still live in isolation, see the hundreds of species of birds here, leopards and wild camels and they can go on hiking trails in the superb surrounding mountains where ancient dinosaur remains can still be found.”
I have to warn people that it is strictly forbidden to hunt for dinosaur remains without proper permits. And smuggling dinosaur remains carries a hefty penalty! Also, the dinosaur remains aren’t easy to find and the Gobi is a cruel mistress to those coming unprepared.
Stick to the trails to look for ibex, wild camel, leopards (though there are only a handful in the Gobi), antelope, gazelle, birds and the wonderful landscape. Go to Gurvansaikhan National Park in June or July (at the latest) to see the glacier in Yolin Am valley. Yes, a glacier in the desert!