The Republic of Mongolia, with a population of 2.3 million, is about three times the size of France. For two thirds of the year, there is nothing but intense sunshine and humidity is nil. Such fine weather will greet us as we enter the “Land of Blue Sky” – a land of nomadic people, camels, yaks, horses, sheep and goats. The livestock population outnumbers the Mongolians 13 to 1 so it is no wonder that the nomads understand their animals so well.
We arrive at Darkhan before visiting Ulaan Baatar, the largest city in Mongolia. Here, we take in the sights – monasteries, suburbia residents living in traditional ger, street children, and the tail-end festivities of the three-day Naadam Festival. This famous festival, with its roots in nomad assemblies and Chinggis Khaan’s Mongol armies, attracts Mongolian ethnic groups to wrestle, shoot arrows, and ride horses for fame and financial reward.
Here we will immerse ourselves in the Mongolian way of life – drink milky, salty Mongolian tea with superstitious Mongolians (try not to let a post or fence come between you and a Mongolian) and enjoy their rich cultural traditions such as their songs, music, mask dancing, art and embroidery.
After being culturally enriched, we drive southeast to cross the majestic Gobi, which stretches into China. The Gobi is one of the world’s great deserts and although it looks inhospitable to life, it is actually home to many of Mongolia’s threatened wildlife species, several hundreds of nomads and thousands of livestock.
Our adventure has taken us 892km around Mongolia. Onwards to China!
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