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MONGOLIA
Mongolia
is one of Asia
's last unspoilt destinations, home to nomadic herders who still
roam the steppe as they have since the time of Chinggis Khaan. Come
with us to experience the vast and varied landscapes of Mongolia
- the
Central Heartland ,
Gobi Desert ,
Altai Mountains ,
Lake Khovsgol ,
Terelj and
Khentii - which offer a wide range of exciting travel
experiences.
At the
heart of Central Asia lie the natural and cultural riches of
Mongolia , where
a population of just three million inhabits 1.5 million square kilometers
of mountains, desert, forests, and steppe. Discovering this land
of prehistoric rock paintings and mysterious stone carvings, two-humped
camels and the world・s last surviving wild horses, and nomadic herdsmen
continuing a way of life that has persisted for thousands of years,
is as much a journey back in time as an expedition of exploration.
Mongolia is perhaps most
famous as the land of Chinggis Khan, the 13th-century leader whose
empire had such a profound effect on the histories of Europe and
Asia . The story of the Mongolian Empire・s
conquests is one of great drama and courage, innovation and world
trade, and the cross-cultural exchange of technologies and ideas
that shaped the world for centuries to come. Few tangible monuments
of this era remain, but Chinggis Khan・s achievements and far-reaching
influence are a source of great pride in
Mongolia , where a nomad・s son
grew to lead the world・s greatest empire.
Traces of a more ancient history can be found beneath the sands
of the Gobi, buried in far corners of the steppe, and painted on
the rock faces of the Altai Mountains .
Since the early 20th century, Mongolia
has been among the most important
locations for paleontologists in search of dinosaur fossils, while
archaeologists seeking evidence of prehistoric humans search for
relics, burial mounds, and ：stone men； throughout the country. Even
tourists exploring the Gobi can find bone fragments at the legendary
Flaming Cliffs, or discover petro glyphs left behind by artists
of the Stone Age.
A wealth of more recent artistic treasures, particularly Buddhist
painting, sculpture, and architecture, can be found in
Mongolia's monasteries
and museums. Since the fall of the communist regime in 1990, a renewed
interest in traditional arts has flourished both within
Mongolia
and abroad, among them the haunting sounds of khoomi throat
singing and the lyrical chant of "long songs； dating back thousands
of years. Finely detailed zurag-style paintings and thangkas are
some of the foremost examples of Mongolian creative expression,
while the 17th-century Buddhist sculptures of Zanabazar are at the
pinnacle of Mongolia
・s artistic heritage. Ancient crafts have
been handed down through the generations, including the art of making
fine leather boots, handcrafted silver work, and embroidery, while
the construction of gers, the movable felt and canvas dwellings
of Mongolia
・s nomads, continue an impressive tradition of craftsmanship that
stretches back hundreds of years.
The importance of Buddhism is not limited to the arts, as it has
been an integral part of Mongolian society since the 1500s, when
a Mongolian tribal leader first bestowed the title of Dalai Lama
on a monk from Tibet
. With the birth of democracy in the late
20th century came a rebirth of Buddhist activity in
Mongolia ・s monasteries,
while the beliefs and rituals of shamanism, the region・s oldest
religion, are of no less significance. Essential to the deep respect
for the Earth that is a defining quality of
Mongolia ・s nomadic
culture, shamanism continues to be the foundation of the Mongolian
view of nature as an object of reverence. Few of those who travel
in Mongolia - whether
to the mountains and lakes of the north and west, the unforgettable
landscapes of the Gobi in the south, or
the vast steppes and grasslands stretching between them - fail to
be moved by the beauty of the land and the commitment of its people
to conserve and protect it.
One of the world・s most diverse and exciting outdoor adventure destinations,
Mongolia is a haven for trekking, kayaking, horseback riding, and
fishing, as well as wildlife viewing and birding. One-tenth of
Mongolia ・s territory
has been set aside as part of a system of protected areas, providing
habitat for plant and animal species that have all but disappeared
from the rest of the continent. Additionally, the government has
pledged to increase the system of protected areas to 30% of the
country, resulting in the largest national park system in the world.
Sheltered among the nature preserves and uninhabited wilderness
that cover so much of Mongolia are unusual wildlife species such
as the vulture-like Lammergeier, Gobi bear, snow leopard, Argali
mountain sheep, and Przewalski・s horse.
More than its history and arts and landscape, though, it is the
people of Mongolia
who are its greatest treasure. Tsaatan reindeer
herders living in the forests of the north as they have for thousands
of years; Kazakh nomads of the western mountains maintaining the
proud tradition of hunting with Golden Eagles; and the nomads of
the steppe and Gobi tending their sheep and camel herds; characteristic
of them all is the hospitality and kindness for which Mongolians
are famous.
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