MONGOLIA'S REGIONS
Map of Mongolia
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· NORTH (Khovsgol Lake)
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· SOUTH (Gobi Desert)
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· WEST (Altai Mountains)
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· CENTRAL (Kharkhorin to Arkhanghai)
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Beijing (China)
Beijing fell to Chinggis Khaan in 1215 and in 1264, his grandson Khublai,
made it his capital "Khanbalik." Kublai was the emperor of
China's Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). When he assumed the throne he introduced
measures to revive the Chinese economy. He reconstructed agriculture,
restored the country's infrastructure and promoted trade throughout
the empire and with Europe. Kublai also initiated the creation of the
first paper currency ststem. This was the China which Marco Polo and
other travellers visited described in their journals to an amazed Europe.
The oldest buildings in Beijing today date from Kublais reign. The
hutongs and Drum Tower mark the centre of the old Mongol Empire.
Beijing offers some of the worlds most spectacular structures including
the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Gardens of the Summer Palace,
Tianenmen Square and to the north of the city, The Great Wall.
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Baga Gazrin Chulluu (Dundgov)
Enroute South to the Gobi from Ulaanbaatar mountain chains break the
desert horizon. Baga Gazrin Chullu is an area of rounded rock formations
perched beside dramatic granite gorges and small valleys. Two revered
monks lived here in the 19th Century. Their rock drawings can still
be found in the area. Locals sometimes make pilgrimages here. Nearby
the Oasis of Khokh Burd attracts migrating birds.
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Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs (Omnogov)
This is one of the most famous palaeontological sites in the world.
Roy Chapman Andrews discovered the world's first nest of dinosaur eggs
here in 1922. During his groundbreaking expedition, the team unearthed
over 100 dinosaurs and discovered the earliest known mammal skulls.
Roy, who is widely regarded as the model on which the Hollywood screen
character Indiana Jones was based, named the famous site the "Flaming
Cliffs" after the red sandstone buttes and cliffs that glow at
sunset.
Subsequent Gobi expeditions have added to our understanding of life
in the late Cretaceous period (70 million years ago), the last phase
of dinosaur dominance before mammals inherited the earth. Many of these
finds are on display at the Natural History Museum in Ulaanbaatar. The
Mongolian name Bayanzag means "rich in saxual shrubs." These
shrubs are a valuable source of fuel for the local people, the wood
is very dense and will sink in water. They are also home to a number
of species of wildlife. This is a sureally beautiful place where a dazzling
sun illuminates the dramatic features of the valley of the dinosaurs.
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Bogd Khaan Palace (Ulaanbaatar)
The Winter Palace of the Bogd Khaan was built between 1893 and1903.
For 20 years was home to Jebtzun Damba Hutagt VIII, Mongolia's eighth
Living Buddha and last king. There are six temples in the grounds aswell
as the Winter Palace which contains gifts from foreign dignitaries.
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Choijiin Lama (Ulaanbaatar)
Built between 1904 and 1908 this monastery is also known as the Museum
of Religion. The monastery was home to the state oracle and brother
of the Bogd Khaan. The museum holds some fine scroll paintings and some
of the best tsam masks in the country.
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Chuluutin Gol Gorge (Arkhangai)
This dramatic gorge runs along a fault line and the river below is a
great fishing spot. Nearby, an ancient forest protects a vast tree covered
in offerings including blue Khadags (ceremonial scarves). This is a
famous tree and local legend tells that if you have lost something,
when you sleep beneath the branches you will wake and remember where
it is.
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Forbidden City (Beijing)
Constructed on the site of a palace dating back to Kublai Khaan, the
Forbidden City was home to two dynasties of emperors, the Ming and the
Qing, who did not stray from their pleasure dome unless they absolutely
had to. The land was governed from within these walls and was off limits
to commoners for 500 years until the 1911 revolution.
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Gandan Khiid (Ulaanbaatar)
Gandantegchinlen Khiid (Gandan for short) is the largest and most important
monastery in Mongolia. The monastery's main attraction is the magnificent
white Migjid Janraisig Temple which houses a 25m high, 20 ton guilded
statue. It is a working monastery with ceremonies every morning and
150 monks in residence.
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Great Wall of China
The Great Wall dates back to the third century BC and extends over more
than 4000 miles. Seperate walls, constructed by independent kingdoms
were linked when China was unified under Emperor Qin Shi-huang (221-207BC).
The effort required required hundreds of thousands of workers many of
whom died and were buried in the wall itself. This is why it is sometimes
known as the "Wall of Tears." We enjoy a picnic with awsome
views accross the rolling hills north towards Mongolia.
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Kharkhorin(Ovorkhangai) and Erdene Zuu
Formerly known as Karakorum, this was the capital of the empire when
in 1220, Chinggis Khaan decided to move here from the Onon Valley in
Khentii. Several earlier successful civilisations made their capitals
in the fertile Orkhon valley, of which Chinggis was well aware. He used
it as a supply point for his armies. It was not only where the armies
weapons were cast, it was where the food was grown. Artisans from all
across the empire were brought here to embellish the city.
Famed for their religious tolerance, the Khaans split their time equally
between the different faiths and twelve religions co-existed within
the town. Foreign and Mongol coins were both legal tender. After the
move to Beijing , and the fall of the empire, Karakorum was abandoned
and then destroyed by vengeful Manchurian soldiers in 1388.
The remains of the city were used to help build Erdenne Zuu (Hundred
Treasures) the first Buddhist monastery in 16th century. Many of the
treasures are on display at the temple museum and in the Tibetan style
Lavrin temple where each morning the monks are called to service by
the conch blowers. At it's height, up to 1000 monks were in residence.
Not a single nail was used in the construction of the ornate temples
according to a Tibetan design which are contained within in the monastery
walls. 108 stupas are spaced evenly along the walls which enclose an
area of 1,600 square metres, which is exactly 10 times smaller than
the original city.
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Khogno Khaan & Uvguun Khiid
Between Ulaanbaatar and Kharkhorin lies this red rocky mountain (1967m)
and 46,500 hectare natural reserve. It is a perfect place for walking
and horse riding and good for spotting ibex, wolves and many varieties
of hawk. The ruins of Uvgun monastery are hidden in one of its numerous
valleys in the southern slope. The monastery was destroyed by by the
armies of Zungar Galdan Bochigtu, a rival of Zanabazar in 1640. The
current monastery was reopened in 1992 and includes a number of interesting,
beautifully decorated temples in this tranquil setting which look out
across the plains.
Also worth exploring are the Mongol Els sand dunes that stretch southward
from the mountain.
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Khongoryn Els Singing Dunes (Omnogov)
These are some of the largest sand dunes in Mongolia, 180 kilometers
long and up to 800 metres high. A climb to the top gives amazing views
across the dunes and the surrounding desert.
On the northern edge of the dunes lies the Khongoryn river which provides
an oasis rich in plantation and supplies drinking water for wildlife
in the region. Gobi people are particularly good at managing the limited
resources in the harsh environment. This desert area is inhabited by
traditional camel herders and so is a great place to learn about these
facinating animals and ride them across the desert.
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Khovsgol Lake
Known as the Blue Pearl of Mongolia, Lake Khovsgol is one of the country's
top attractions. Surrounded by mountains covered with pine forests and
lush meadows the crystal-clear alpine lake is part of the 838,000-hectare
Khovsgol Nuur National Park.
Containing between 1% and 2% of the world's fresh water it is the second
largest lake in Central Asia, after Siberia's Lake Baikal. It is 136
kilometres long and 36 kilometres wide stretching from north to south
and at 1645m above sea level it's whole length is frozen from January
to May.
The lake is full of fish such as lenok (of the trout family) and sturgeon.
The lake attracts over 200 species of birds such as Baikal teal, bar-headed
goose, black syork and Altai snowcock. The surrounding mountains are
home to 68 species of mammal including musk deer, brown bear, lynx,
marten, beaver, elk, reindeer, moose, argali, ibex and wolf.
Three separate peoples live in the area; the Darkhad, Buryats and Tsaatan.
The latter herd reindeer and depend on them for most of their needs.
The region has strong shamanic roots.
This is a wonderful place for walking and riding, fishing or simply
sucking in the fresh air and spectaclar views.
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Khustai Nuruu National Park Takhi Horses (Tov)
In the 1990's, the world's most primitive horse, the Takhi (Przewalski's
Horse) was reintroduced into Khustai Nuruu National Park after thirty
years of extinction in the wild. Their shape and colour is very distinct
from other horses and they tend to have zebra-like stripes at the base
of their tails.
The park is great for walks and a climb up one of the hills reveals
the immense scale of the countryside whilst eagles and falcons soar
overhead. This desert/steppe environment is also home to maral deer,
steppe gazelle, boar, wolf and lynx.
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Kultegin monument (Arkhangai)
This impressive monolith is dedicated in 732 AD, to the Turkish prince,
Kultegin (684-731 AD). The Turkic State existed in Mongolia between
6th and 8th centuries. The monument is inscribed with ancient Runic
script and at the back, Chinese characters.
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Ogii Nuur(Arkhangai)
This lake is a wonderful place for birdlife such as cranes, ducks, and
many other migratory species.
It is also famous for its fishing and is full of perch, pike and catfish.
Ogii Nuur's tranquile shores serve as an excellent base from which to
visit local archaelogical sites.
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Ongiin Khiid(Dundgov)
The ruined monastery lies in two halfs on the banks of the Ongiin river.
It was destroyed by the communist purges of the thirties and is being
restored by a number of monks. It is an amazing site and stretches across
the valley in the mountainous area around the river.
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Taikhar Chuluu(Arkhangai)
This enormous rock formation that sticks straight out of the ground
is the subject of many local legends the most popular being that a great
hero squashed a huge serpent that was terrorising the lands around.
There are pleasant walks along the banks of the nearby river.
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Tariat & Volcano(Arkhangai)
A small town and regional centre close to Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur where
the people of the surounding lands hold an annual Yak Festival. This
is the gateway to the 77,267 hectare Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National
Park which is provides good pasture for horses and yaks, goats and sheep.
This traditional town is a great place to witness the Naadam Festival.
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Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur (Arkhangai)
Meaning "Great White Lake," Tsagaan Nuur was formed by lava
flows many millenia ago. It is surrounded by extinct and craterous volcanoes
which offer some great walking oppertunities. The local inhabitants
are yak herders who live a typically traditional nomadic lifestyle,
moving to higher pastures in the winter and returning to the fertile
valleys around the lake in summer. This astonishingly beautiful crystal
clear lake is renound for its fish and birdlife, including the ruddy
shellduck and great cormorant.
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Tiananmen Square (Beijing)
The centre of the Chinese universe and the world's largest public square.
Here in 1949 Mao Zedong proclaimed the Public's Republic of China to
an audience of 500,000.
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Trans-Mongolian Train
This famous train journey between Beijing and Ulaanbaatar follows below
the Great Wall for a stetch before reaching the Gobi desert. We share
two and four birth compartments with other members of the group. The
train stops at the border between China akkjjknd Mongolia to change
the bogies as the two reailways use different gauges.
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Tsenkheriin Hot Springs (Arkhangai)
Water pulses out of the ground at a remarkable 86 degrees C and contains
hydrogen sulphide. The springs have been managed to give a slightly
less scorching temperature which makes a relaxing bathe in a lush valley
south of Tsetserleg.
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Tsetserleg (Arkhangai)
This town is ringed by scenic mountains overlooked by a small temple
perched on Bogd Uul (holy mountain) to the north. The Zayin temple museum
has some great exhibitions on traditional mongolian life and ancient
artifacts. The town also has a very lively market.
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Tsogt Taij Palace (Bulgan)
On the banks of the Tuul river lies the ruined fortifications of Tsogt
Taij (1580-1637).The Khalkh Mongol prince is famous for is fierce resistence
to Manchu expansion.
Although the Prince was defeated and the palace set alight, much of
the impressive stonework remains intact.
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Ulaanbaatar
The capital city of Mongolia is a mixture of traditional and modern.
The ornate flowing eaves of the monastery temples stand beside communist
planned courtyards and modern sky scrapers. The city is bussling with
Mongolians dressed in suits as well as traditional deels.
It boasts some impressive museums and a wide selection of restaurants.
It is a great place to pick up some quality cashmere.
It is situated on the Tuul river surrounded by mountains, more significantly
the four holy peaks, to the north, south, east and west, which make
a wonderful backdrop. The southern peak, Bogd Khaan Uul, is one of the
oldest nature reserves in the world and has been protected since1778.
In winter it is not uncommon to see deer walking the streets in the
mornings.
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Yolyn Am(Omnogov)
Yoln Am means "Lammergeyer's mouth" after the huge raptors
that inhabit this deep ravine in the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains of the
Gobi Desert. The lammergeyers, or bearded vulture, are famous for their
skill of dropping bones from a height onto rocky sites, smashing them
open so that the marrow is accessible.
The rare and shy snow leopard still prowls these mountains, though
you are more likely to see ibex or Argali sheep with their huge horns
tiptoeing their way across the sheer rock faces above. Meanwhile hordes
of Pallas's Pikas scamper around their colonies at ground level keeping
an eye out for hawks and other predators.
Even in the heat of the summer months, one can find ice remaining from
the winter in shaded corners of this valley. Here delightful wildflowers
grow beside aromatic juniper bushes which are burnt as offerings in
Mongolia's temples.
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BACKGROUND
