Birthplace of brave warrior Genghis Khan welcomes you with its history and cultures where you can find the past in today's lifestyle
Mongolia is in the middle of Asia, many kilometers from here. It is as plain as the eye can see, as ancient as your heart can harbor. As sky and earth join at a single stroke, its centuries-old culture is brought to life.
Genghis Khan, brave warrior of history rising up from this Savannah without a window facing the sea, still has an effect on the country.
Ulaanbaatar, capital of Mongolia, is the biggest and most crowded city. In Ulaanbaatar, life flows on like a romantic poem. Cheerful, unhurried people are ready to greet you anywhere.
The tranquility of the city and its friendly people deeply affect visitors. In this flat city where you can reach the sky anywhere, parks, avenues and squares welcome you.
As might be expected, nomadic culture and Genghis Khan, who rose up from the savannah and ruled the world quite a long time, are indispensable for Mongols. Sükhbaatar Square is in the heart of the city, and it does justice to the word “square." It is possible to see a tiny panorama of Mongolia in the emptiness and broadness of this square.
Within the wide geography of the country, numerous nature parks offer different kinds of tours and travels. Considering the acreage, you had better clarify what you want to do. Whether you travel by SUVs, or train or motorcycle or bicycles, you will have every kind of comfort; take your pick.
After Ulaanbaatar, the next destination could be Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve. During your journey by SUV, you may see the sculpture of Genghis Khan on the way. While describing her journey in a travel article published by Skyroad magazine, Aslı Atasoy suggests you stay at Mongolian Ger Camp, near the Kherlen River rising in China. Staying in tents the Mongolians call “Ger" makes you very happy.
During your journey from Ulaanbaatar to the edge of the Gobi Desert and Orkhon Valley, can find many Gers on the roadside as accommodation. Mongol families stay in Gers in the summer months and the interior decoration of these attach especial importance to the man of the family. Mongol families living in modest and comfortable Gers show warm hospitality to guests.
Another impressive place in this route is Elsen Tasarkhai, where Els sand dunes, the Rocky Mountains of Khogno Khan, green meadows and fantastic lakes all come together.
Going to Mongolia from Turkey, you must visit the Orkhon Inscriptions located in the Orkhon Valley. These “Eternal Stones," also known as the Göktürk inscriptions, are vital documents of Turkish language and literature; they have been addressing Oghuz Turks since 732 AD. Copies of these stones standing in the middle of the savannah are exhibited on a field.
Karakorum is another important city that needs to be seen. During this part of your journey, you can stay in a camp overlooking the humble Karakoram. Karakoram was the capital not only of the Great Mongol Empire but also of states founded by the Göktürks and Uyghurs. It deserves to be visited attentively as the teller of long stories from days when it was the capital to present times.
Besides, there are lots of museums in Ulaan Baatar. The National Museum from the era of Genghis Khan Period and the Dinosaur Museum in particular deserve to be visited.
Before returning from Ulaan Baatar, you should do these things to make your journey unforgettable: see an authentic shamanic ceremony, watch a fascinating concert of local artists singing three different notes at the same time, and taste dishes in a Mongolian barbeque restaurant.
Raising and hunting with eagles is a kind of tradition from Cenghis Khan's time in Mongolia and Kryrgyzstan. Raising and training eagles is a dangerous, difficult and onerous job. "Berkutchi" is the name to great respected eagle trainers. There is a common belief in this region: Berkutchis are lucky men and their wives are fertile at every age. In this view, “eagle hunting" decreased in long time but it is not finished yet.
