Mongolia is a landlocked country in East Asia. Its capital, Ulaanbaatar, was once a nomadic camp that settled in its present location at the end of the 18th century. It lies along the valley of the Tuul River and is surrounded by four Sacred Mountains: Bogd Uul to the south, Songino to the west, Bayanzurkh to the east, and Chingeltei to the north.
The country is crossed by the Trans-Siberian Railway, which runs through Mongolia from north to south, connecting Moscow to Beijing. Visitors can go hiking, horseback riding, camel or yak trekking, and even skiing. The capital is home to the Museum of Natural History, which displays two dinosaur skeletons found in the Gobi Desert; the Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts; and the Gandantegchinlen Khiid, the “Great Place of Complete Joy,” decorated with gold and precious stones.
In the Gobi Desert, east of the Altai Mountains, lies Gurvansaikhan National Park, which features vast stretches of sand and rock, slopes and salt basins, breathtaking horizons, and oases that host more than 52 species of mammals and about 200 species of birds. Kharkhorin was the first capital of Genghis Khan’s empire, where visitors can still see the three temples of the Erdene Zuu Monastery, the first Buddhist center in Mongolia.
Khovsgol Nuur is one of Mongolia’s most precious gems — two thousand square kilometers of crystal-clear water nestled among lush mountains, majestic valleys, camps with gers, and abundant wildlife. Visitors can ride freely around the lake, fish, or go kayaking.
Language: The official language is Mongolian, but Russian is also spoken among the older generations; a little German, and English among the younger ones.
Currency: Tugrik (or Tögrög)
Time Zone: +7 hours compared to Italy, +6 during daylight saving time
Religion: The majority of the population is Buddhist, while minorities practice shamanism or atheism.
Sports: The most popular sport is wrestling; other important ones include judo, boxing, horse riding, and archery.
Documents: A passport valid for at least six months is required. A visa is mandatory even for short stays.
Curiosity
Did you know that...
The Mongols have always been a nomadic people, with a lifestyle closely tied to their animals. In the vast, uninhabited lands of the country, it’s easy to spot a gher — the traditional circular tent made of white felt, hides, and waterproof materials. It is portable, carefully furnished, and full of color.
The internal arrangement of people and objects follows a precise symbolism inspired by religious and shamanic beliefs: the seat of honor for guests is on the north side, opposite the door, which always faces south to receive warmth and sunlight.
At the back lies the khoimor, the place for elders and important possessions — the family altar with Buddhist images, photos of relatives, and travel bags. Women sit on the east side, where kitchen utensils are kept, while men sit on the west side, where weapons are stored.
At the center of the gher is the toghona, a central opening that lets in light and allows smoke from the large stove to escape. When entering or leaving, one must move clockwise, in honor of the sun, and never step on the threshold — doing so brings bad luck.
Our advices
What to Eat: Some Mongolian foods are considered sacred, such as goat, cow, yak, and camel milk; yogurt; fermented mare’s milk (airag); and milk liquors (arkhi). Dishes are mainly based on meat (boiled mutton, fat, and offal) and dairy. The most famous is the “Mongolian hotpot,” a broth made with mutton, noodles, a few potatoes, carrots, or legumes, flavored with aromatic steppe herbs — but never with salt.
What to Watch: Wolf Totem (France, 2015), directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud. The director takes us on an epic journey between Beijing and the Mongolian steppes. The student Chen Zhen is sent to live among shepherds to educate them, but in the end, it is he who learns valuable lessons about life and the limits of the Maoist regime. He develops a deep bond with nature and wolves — but tragedy strikes when the Chinese government orders all wolves and their pups to be exterminated. The film’s tagline: “You cannot capture a god and make him a slave.”
What to Listen To: Traditional Mongolian music is enchanting — a blend of folk melodies and modern instruments.
What to Read: The Silk Roads: A New History of the World by Peter Frankopan. This work redefines world history from its origins to the present, shifting the focus eastward and revealing that the strongest roots of civilization lie not in Europe but in Asia. We discover that the great Mongol Empire chose not to invade all of Europe because it was less interesting artistically and economically than the East. Across twenty-five chapters, one — “The Road to Hell” — is dedicated to the rise and expansion of the Mongols, portrayed with historical accuracy and insight, dispelling myths and offering illuminating perspectives.
