Mongolia - Mongolia

Mongolia
Location
Coat of arms and flag
Capital	Ulaanbaatar
Government	Semi-presidential republic
Currency	Mongolian Tugrik (MNT)
Surface	1.566.000
Inhabitants	3.278.290 (2020 estimate)
Tongue	Mongolian
Religion	Buddhism (53%), atheism (39%) and the rest minor religions (2010)
Electricity	230V / 50Hz (European and French socket)
Prefix	976
TLD	.mn
Time zone	UTC 7/8
Website	www.mongoliatourism.gov.mn

Mongolia (in Cyrillic: Монгол улс, Mongol uls) is a state ofFar East, landlocked on the sea that borders to the north with the Russia and to the south with the China.

To know

Tourism in Mongolia was almost non-existent at the time of Mongolian People's Republic and it was practically born after the democratic revolution of 1990 and the dissolution of the Soviet Union on December 25, 1991. Even today Mongolia is a singular if not exotic and relatively unexplored destination despite the variety of landscapes and the possibility of coming into contact with lifestyles and cultures that are still largely nomadic.

Travel organizations in Mongolia date back half a century but private sector tourism is just over twenty years old. The country is a member of the World Tourism Organization and as of 2010 boasted 403 travel agencies, 320 hotels, 647 tourist complexes and campsites. These results have been possible thanks to a tax exemption policy adopted by the government towards foreign companies that have expressed their willingness to invest their capital in the tourism sector. Thanks also to the increase in infrastructures, the number of visitors has progressively increased to reach 450,000 in 2010.

The landscapes of Mongolia are dominated by boundless grasslands almost devoid of human settlements, being the density of inhabitants per km² one of the lowest in the world. To the south, the prairies turn into deserts while the north is the kingdom of the taiga with alpine mountains, rivers and lakes on the western border with China and Russia. Although more and more visitors, especially young people travel alone around the country, most tourists still rely on local tour operators, at least for the most remote or inaccessible destinations.

The official slogan adopted in 2013 by the Mongolian Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is "Go Nomadic, Experience Mongolia" which attracted several independent visitors.

Tourism in Mongolia includes a whole range of outdoor activities, from trekking, to climbing, from horseback riding to camel rides. Many tour operators of Ulaanbaatar they offer wildlife observations such as bird watching and almost all of them include the Gobi desert in their destinations while for the more indefatigable tourists some local tour operators offer real expeditions in caravan and on the back of Yak (long-haired cattle typical of Asia).

Alpine and valley bottom lakes are another popular destination, as are the Four Sacred Peaks around Ulan Bator.

Geographical notes

The landscape of Mongolia is very varied, with the desert of Gobi to the south and with the cold and mountainous regions to the north and west. Much of Mongolia is made up of steppes. The highest point in Mongolia is the Hùjtnij peak in the Tavan Bogd massif at 4,374m. The basin of Lake Uvs Nuur, shared with the Republic of Tuva in Russia, is one of the World Heritage Sites ofUNESCO.

Much of the territory is covered by steppes, with mountains to the north and west and the desert of the Gobi South. About 30% of the population is nomadic, mainly dedicated to the breeding of rams, mares and camels. The predominant religion in Mongolia is Tibetan Buddhism, and the majority of the citizens of the state are of Mongolian ethnicity, however there are minority ethnicities including Kazakhs, Tuvans, and Turks especially in the western part of the country.

When to go

The summer climate is mild, while in winter temperatures drop to -40 ° C and -60 ° C in the taiga. Ulaanbaatar it has an average temperature among the lowest in the world compared to the major cities in the world.

It has a continental climate, with long, cold, rigid winters while in the summer months the dry and healthy climate reaches 25-30 ° C during which most of the annual rainfall occurs. In this short season the wind is the protagonist: the cool one from the north, the warm one from the Gobi.

Background

The area of ​​what is now Mongolia was ruled by various nomadic empires, including Xiongnu, Xianbei, Rouran, and the Gokturk, and others. The Mongol Empire was founded by Genghis Khan in 1206. After the collapse of the Yuan dynasty, the Mongols return to their origins. Towards the 17th century, Mongolia was influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. By the end of the 17th century, most of Mongolia had been incorporated into the area ruled by the Qing dynasty. During the collapse of the Qing dynasty on December 29, 1911, it declared independence, but had to fight until 1921 to de-facto independence from the Republic of China, and until 1945 to gain international recognition.

Subsequently it underwent Russian and Soviet influence: in 1924, the Soviet-style Mongolian People's Republic was established, which was a loyal ally of the Soviet Union throughout its history. After the collapse of the communist regimes in Eastern Europe at the end of 1989, Mongolia undertook a slow and tortuous transition to democracy, the constitution was granted in 1992 and party pluralism, still Mongolia tries to undertake an economic policy towards an economy market.

Spoken languages

In addition to the national language, there are a great variety of Oirate and Buryat dialects spoken throughout the country. In the western part of the country, languages Turkish including language Kazakh and Tuvana language are widespread.

The Russian is the most widely spoken foreign language in Mongolia, followed byEnglish, recently widespread in Mongolia.

For different historical reasons, the following languages ​​are also spoken, albeit in a more restricted form: Korean, Chinese, Japanese is German.

Culture and traditions

Mongolian culture is a direct descendant of the pastoral traditions of the nomads who resided on the prairie, although globalization and the influence of the Chinese have led to the almost definitive disappearance of pastoralism and therefore of the great Mongolian cultural heritage.

The Mongols used (and most still do) live in large tents, called yurts (ger in the Mongolian language), and they used to hunt on horseback using very special tools called uurga, long sticks to which a noose was tied, in the use of which the Mongols were formidable.

Another characterizing aspect of the Mongols is the use of marmot oil, which was used for different purposes: remaining liquid up to very low temperatures, it could be used by horse guardians not to freeze the face in winter, but also to work leathers (it made them more resistant) and could also be used in the kitchen. In case of need it was also a good remedy for sunburn.

Suggested readings

• "Genghis Khan the Conqueror" by Paul Ratchnevsky
• "At the gates of Mongolia" by Leonard Clark
• "Mongolia Itineraries at the edge of nowhere" by Roberto Ive (2005)
• "Mongolia" by Davide Pianezze (2008)
• "Mongolia The last paradise of warrior nomads" by Federico Pistone (2008)

Territories and tourist destinations

Mongolia is divided into 21 provinces (ajmag), Ulaanbaatar is a municipality with the status of a province. The ajmags are in turn divided into districts (sum); the sum is divided into bags.

      Central Mongolia - Includes Ulaanbaatar and the popular tourist region of Arhangaj.

      Western Mongolia - Contains the Uvs lake and the massive Tavan Bogd. It is also the most diverse region with a dozen different tribes including the Kazakhs.

      Eastern Mongolia - Birthplace of Genghis Khan and the heart of the Mongolian steppes.

      Northern Mongolia - Region of vast forests and large lakes of which the largest is the Hôvsgôl lake (2,760 km² of surface).

      Gobi region - An inhospitable region largely occupied by the desert of the same name. The main attraction is the "Khongoryn Els", a complex of imposing dunes with changing shapes, forged by strong winds.

Mongolia: full screen map.

Urban centers

Other destinations

• 

  Hôvsgôl Nuur

• 

  Gorkhi-Terelj National Park

• 

  Altai Tavan Bogd National Park

• 

  Terhijn Cagaan nuur

How to get

Entry requirements

Citizens of the following states can enter Mongolia without a visa:

• Admissions up to 90 days: Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, Chile, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macau, Serbia, United States of America ed Ukraine (the latter only if with official or private invitation
• Admissions up to 30 days: Canada, Cuba, Germany, Japan, Israel, Laos, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, Turkey, Thailand ed Uruguay
• Admission up to 21 days: Philippines
• Admission up to 14 days: Hong Kong

The visa on arrival (single entry) can only be obtained at the airport of Ulaanbaatar-Genghis Khan from those who have confirmed a pre-established visa, has a passport that expires at least one year after entering Mongolia, comes from states without Mongolian diplomatic representations and has a local sponsor who forwards the request to the Mongolian migration authorities (quest the last requirement is not needed for the citizens of Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia is Spain); the cost is 108,000 tögrög and 30 US dollars.

All the others, as well as those wishing to stay longer than what is allowed without, must obtain a visa before departure by contacting the consular network.

By plane

The only international airport is that of Ulaanbaatar, with direct flights from Russian Federation, China, Japan, South Korea ed Europe continental.

On boat

There are no sea and river connections.

On the train

You can enter from Mongolia via the connection Moscow - Beijing, both from China that from Russia, or through other connections of the line trans-Siberian; waiting times to and from China they are long due to the replacement of the wheels, due to the different gauges in use between the two states.

By bus

It is possible to access with bus lines on a daily basis from the cross-border cities of the Russian Federation is China.

How to get around

By plane

Airports hosting internal flights are present ad Altaj, Arvajhėr, Bajanhongor, Bulgan, Choibalsan, Dalanzadgad, Uliastaj, Hovd, Mandalgov ', Môrôn, Nariin Sukhait mining complex, Ojuu Tolgoj, Tavan Tolgoi, Ulaangom ed Ôlgij, plus others who do not operate commercial flights.

By car

It is possible to travel with an international driving license only, in compliance with the agreements of Vienna of 1968. There are about 2,000 kilometers of asphalted roads, particularly dangerous in case of snowfall. It is therefore recommended to pay attention outside the major urban centers, given the lack of caution when driving local motorists.

On the train

The country has about 1,800 kilometers of railways, mostly belonging to the transmongolic link between the Russian Federation and the China. Convoys date back to the 1980s and are often very slow, due to infrastructural obsolescence, but often cheaper and more frequent than mini-vans.

By bus

The main bus lines run a single daily ride from Ulaanbaatar towards other cities. The locations located in the far west (Khovs, Uvs) are served by mini-vans which depart every two days.

What see

Erdene Zuu Monastery

• 47.201667102.8433331 Erdene Zuu (Эрдэнэ Зуу). - Ancient Buddhist monastery located not far from the ruins of Karakorum and part of the cultural landscape of the Orhon Valley. "Erdene Zuu" means "100 treasures" and is the destination of frequent pilgrimages.  

Equestrian statue of Genghis Khan

• 47.808083107.5298062 Equestrian statue of Genghis Khan (54 km east of the center, in Tsonjin Boldog, on the banks of the Tuul Gol river). Colossal monument 30 meters high and resting on a circular building 10 meters high. It is currently the tallest statue in the world but will be surpassed by that of Shiv Smarak, under construction off the coast of Mumbai.

The monument was inaugurated in September 2008 and is the work of the sculptor D. Erdenebileg and the architect J. Enkhjargal. It is made of steel and weighs around 250 tons. Visitors can reach the horse's head via an internal staircase, from where they can admire the surrounding landscape. The statue faces east, towards the birthplace of Genghis Khan.

The circular building on which it rests is delimited by 36 columns, each symbolizing the 36 successive Mongolian Khans since Genghis Khan. The total cost of the monument was estimated at $ 4.1 million. Nearby is a museum dedicated to the various cultures that have occurred in Mongolia since the Bronze Age and a recreational area for visitors.  

What to do

• Staying in a gher - These are traditional felt yurts, where, by entering them, one identifies with the lifestyle of a nomadic family, amidst the barking of dogs and smoking hearths. They are particularly sought after in the Terelj area, at about 1600 meters above sea level, wrapped in a magnificent mountain scenery;
• Take the Trans-Mongolian - A fantastic railway line, especially for amateurs. Before getting on the train, equip yourself with sausages, bread and pickles, as well as a deck of cards or a strictly Mongolian chessboard. Don't forget a phrase book, to communicate with the locals!

Currency and purchases

The national currency is the Mongolian Tugrik (MNT) Here are the links to know the current exchange rate with the main world currencies:

At the table

The "diet" of the Mongols consisted of sheep, horses, gazelles, marmots, and absolutely did not include birds, to which they brought great respect, as they flew high towards the Tengger (Heaven, deified). Furthermore, the Mongolian people still have great respect for the wolf, a Mongolian totem for generations and a mythical figure, seen as the most loved by Heaven and taken as a model of courage, fortitude, respect for nature, social cohesion, immovability. In particular, the following dishes are worth mentioning:

• Buuz - Steamed ravioli with mutton.
• Khorkhog - Meat stew cooked with hot stones for uniform cooking.
• Makh - Consists of various pieces of boiled sheep meat with potato strips.
• Sholte khool - Hot soup with pasta noodles, mutton and potatoes.
• Tsangaan ideas - Yogurt, mare's milk, fermented or not, delicious fresh bread, known as "white foods".

Drinks

Tea is a historically widespread drink and also widely drunk by nomadic populations thanks to imports from China. You can also find recent and Western-style drinks (such as Cola) and alcoholic beverages (such as beer and wine, often imported). Frequent on suutel tsai, a salty tea served, in some areas, with a little butter.

Tourist infrastructure

TO Ulaanbaatar you can comfortably stay overnight in a 3-star hotel. Travelers with a small budget can stay in bed & breakfast or with families organized for the reception of tourists. Alternatively, it is possible to stay in the typical felt yurts (gher), located in all rural areas of the country. It is advisable to arrange with a tour operator specializing in this type of stay, which often includes transport to / from Ulan Bator.

Events and parties

• Naadam festival - They are wrestling competitions, thrilling horse races and archery. The term "naadam"indicates" games ", but it is a fundamental opportunity to spend time with friends and relatives in a great popular festival, including mutton pancakes and cases of local vodka;

Safety

Delinquents are unlikely to be interested in a medium-budget tourist, but it is always good to pay attention to the muggers, who are willing to attack you here for a few pennies. There are no particular critical issues of public order, even if the predisposition to muggings in the capital is significantly increasing. Along the transmongolian line, especially near the Chinese border, thefts and attacks by specific groups of smugglers have become frequent. Alcoholism is notably widespread among men, and is becoming a painful social plague. Verbal assaults on homosexual and mixed couples are reported. Mongolia is a country characterized by strong seismic activity, especially in the western regions.

Health situation

Mongolia has the worst air pollution in the world, with an annual average of 279 micrograms of particulate matter "PM10" per cubic meter, so those suffering from asthma or other respiratory problems should avoid the state from October to April, also due to the low availability of specialist medical care. Health facilities are particularly lacking, especially in locations far from major centers. The doctors, with a strong Russian background, are unable to speak any Western language. In case of urgent treatment, it is possible to contact the SOS-Medica Clinic in Uln-Bator, with immediate payment of the services. There have also been outbreaks of influenza A H1N1 in the provinces of Umnugovi, Bayan-Ulgii, Govi-Altai, Dundgovi and in the capital Ulaanbaatar.

The dogs of the nomads may have contracted rabies, therefore the relative vaccine is recommended, while it is not recommended to eat marmot meat at certain times of the year as you could contract the bubonic plague (however, it is not a common dish in the state).

Hepatitis and tuberculosis are endemic, and tap water is not safe for drinking.

Respect the customs

The country professes shamanism, Buddhism and minor faiths, of delicate and surprising spirituality. Respect for the environment can be seen from daily feats visible in rural areas. There is the custom of thanking nature by handing her a spoonful of food before starting a meal or not giving names to the mountains, since the relative spirit could be affected.

How to keep in touch

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Mongolia
• Commons contains images or other files on Mongolia
• Wikiquote contains quotes from or about Mongolia
• Wikinews contains current news on Mongolia
  

States of Asia

 Afghanistan ·  Saudi Arabia ·  Bahrain ·  Bangladesh ·  Bhutan ·  Burma ·  Brunei ·  Cambodia ·  China ·  North Korea ·  South Korea ·  United Arab Emirates ·  Philippines ·  Japan ·  Jordan ·  India ·  Indonesia ·  Iran ·  Iraq ·  Israel ·  Kyrgyzstan ·  Kuwait ·  Laos ·  Lebanon ·  Maldives ·  Malaysia ·  Mongolia ·  Nepal ·  Oman ·  Pakistan ·  Qatar ·  Singapore ·  Syria ·  Sri Lanka ·  Tajikistan ·  Thailand ·  East Timor ·  Turkmenistan ·  Uzbekistan ·  Vietnam ·  Yemen

States with limited recognition:  State of Palestine ·  Taiwan

Only physically Asian states^[1]:  Armenia ·  Azerbaijan^[2] ·  Cyprus ·  Georgia^[2] ·  Kazakhstan ·  Russia ·  Turkey

States de facto independent:  Abkhazia^[2] ·  Artsakh ·  Northern Cyprus ·  South Ossetia^[2]

Addictions Australian:  Cocos and Keeling Islands ·  Christmas Island

Addictions British: UKAkrotiri and Dhekelia^[3] · British Indian Ocean Territory

Partially Asian states:  Egypt (Sinai) ·  Greece (North Aegean Islands, Dodecanese) ·  Russia (Asian Russia)  Turkey (Asian Turkey)

1. ↑States generally considered to be European from an anthropic point of view
2. ↑ ^2,02,12,22,3It was considered physically wholly Asian only by some geographical conventions
3. ↑Physically Asian state or dependency but generally considered European from an anthropic point of view

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