Welcome to Outer Mongolia!Outer Mongolia is an independent democracy lodged between China and Russia. Imagine waking one morning and discovering yourself surrounded by endless steppe. In the distance, you can see a glacier topped mountain. A hundred meters away you can hear the gurgling of a stream. On the horizon, you can just spot your nearest neighbor galloping after his herds. You're sure you parked your camel next to the ger last night but somehow it has wandered off again!  Welcome to Mongolia! Outer Mongolia, Inner Mongolia—what's the difference?Three hundred years after the exploits of Genghis Khan large parts of Mongolia fell under Chinese rule. The Manchus called the part closest to Chinese civilization "Inner Mongolia" and the northern part "Outer Mongolia." Since then, Outer Mongolia has held a wild and remote reputation which it has never shaken off. Let me take you on a quick tour . . .
Southern Mongolia consists largely of desert. The word 'desert' translates into Mongolian as "gobi," pronounced "goiv." Technically "gobi" refers to an area of land with enough vegetation to support camels, but not enough for marmots. It’s an extremely fragile environment where a little overgrazing can take the desert beyond even the camel's reach! Although most desert areas lie in the south, you can find patches of desert within a day's ride of the capital—Ulan Bator.  Northern and Western Outer MongoliaThe northern and western portions of Mongolia include both glacier covered mountains and ancient forests. A mountain climbing paradise, many people visit just for the fresh air and scenery. Eastern and Central Outer Mongolia—Mongolian steppeThe Mongolian steppe occupies most of eastern and central Mongolia. The steppe harbors many threatened and endangered species. These species include: the world’s last wild horse; wild Bactrian camels; wild mountain sheep and the wild ass. More exotic animals include: the Gobi bear; the long-horned antelope; and the snow leopard.  Outer Mongolia lakesThe steppe contains both fresh and salt water lakes. One of the lakes—Khuvsgul—contains two percent of the world's fresh water! Countless rivers supply the lakes, including: the Onon, Khovd, Tuul and Selenge. More than fifty unique species of fish live in these rivers!  Fishing anyone? Mongolian nomadsOver a million nomads wander the steppe. Nomads live in round felt tents called gers—yurts in Russia. Their life revolves around thousands of years of tradition and culture. Tradition even dictates the direction they should walk round a ger! Mongolian nomads are the most hospitable people on earth. Any tour should include a night or two with them—at least drop in for a cup of salty tea! Capital of MongoliaYes, many of Genghis Khan's descendants have become urbanized. About sixty percent of the population now lives in a handful of cities. In Genghis Khan's day, urbanites lived in the capital — Karakorum. Genghis Khan's grandson, Khubilai Khan, moved the capital to Beijing. Today the capital of Mongolia is Ulan Bator—spelled Ulaan Baatar in Mongolia. Urban Mongolians enjoy all the benefits of city life, including: Internet cafés, designer clothes, the latest hand phones and high rise shopping malls. But the Mongols haven't lost sight of their nomadic roots . . . oh no. Trying to keep track of Mongol friends, especially in summer, can be a hard task.  Mongolian CultureMongolian culture revolves around its nomadic roots . . . Mongolian Religion Christianity and shamanism dominated at the time of Genghis Khan. After Genghis Khan's death, Buddhism became the dominant religion. But this all changed in the twentieth century when the Soviet Union destroyed almost every religious institution. Since democracy arrived in the 1990s, Mongolia has reclaimed its past. Buddhism now dominates and shamanism is growing in popularity. Other religions are also prospering and the number of Christians has grown from four in 1989 to several thousand today. But it is shamanism which continues to flavor religious belief in Mongolia. Shamanistic beliefs have crept into every religion. Mongolian Music It's hard to raise a choir or even a quartet on the steppe. So Mongolians have developed a method of singing where the singer produces two notes at the same time. Called khoomei—Mongolian throat singing in English— it sounds magical. Musical instruments also have a nomadic flavor. One popular Mongolian instrument is a horse head fiddle, stringed with—you guessed it—hair from a horses tail.  Mongolian Naadam FestivalRaising a quartet is difficult—imagine trying to raise a football team! With the sparsest population in the world, Mongolia developed solo sports. Over the years three sports have taken precedence in Mongolian hearts: wrestling, archery and horse racing. Every year people gather in various parts of the country to pit their skills against one another. Naadam officially takes place between July eleventh and thirteenth. But in the countryside any July day will do. Why July? July has the best weather . . . Mongolia has 257 days of blue sky a year. Even so the temperature can vary from between minus-fifty and plus-fifty Celsius. July and August have the sunniest weather. But you might want to avoid December through March when everything ices over for four months. Then again maybe you like sledding with huskies cross-country! Mongolia ToursInterested? Stop reading, come visit! Mongolia will provide you with memories that last a lifetime . . . Things to see include: the Gobi desert; dinosaur graveyards; Genghis Khan’s birthplace; Buddhist temples; two-humped camels; vast empty spaces; wild wild nature . . . Things to do include: racing across the steppes on a camel, horse or mountain bike; white water rafting; fishing; camping; stargazing; sledding; just breathing pure fresh air . . . Mongolia has more than 350 tour companies. But take care to choose a good one. Check this government web site to see the best of the best.  Trans-Siberian RailwayGetting here is easy . . . The scenic route is the trans-Siberian. Ulan Ude in Russia connects you with the trans-Mongolian line. Before you connect with the Chinese rail system you will pass through ghost towns, steppe, the capital of Mongolia and the Gobi desert. That's assuming you don't get off! The adventurous route prize goes to the Mongol Rally—an eighteen thousand kilometer car trip from Europe right through Asia. The common-sense way is to arrive on a plane. Several countries offer direct flights here. Read more about how to get to Mongolia on my travel to Mongolia page. Mongolia NewsWant to learn more about Mongolia before you come? Try the following online newspapers: the UB Post; the Mongol Messenger.
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