Land Of The Eternal Blue Sky
FLY INTO THE CAPITAL, ULAANBAATAR, a surprisingly youthful and bustling city, where nearly half of all Mongolians live. Before heading out to learn about Mongolia’s nomadic culture and experience its vast, untouched landscapes, be sure to visit Gandantegchinlen Monastery, Bogd Khan’s Winter Palace and Choijin Lama Temple.
CLIMB 300 STEPS TO ZAISAN MEMORIAL for incredible views over the city and to discover a painting that depicts scenes of friendship between the people of Mongolia and Russia. The circular mural commemorates Soviet support for Mongolia’s independence in 1921, the Soviet-Mongol alliance in WW11 and the Soviet Soyuz 39, which carried the first Mongolian into space.
STOP OFF AT HUSTAI NATIONAL PARK to see rare and endangered Przewalski’s horses – the last and only remaining wild horse species in the world. HNP is dedicated to establishing a sustainable population of Przewalski’s horses, along with protecting the many other endangered plant and animal species found in the 50-square-kilometre park.
HONK YOUR HORN AS YOU PASS THE SHAMAN statue, a Tengriism religious site, on the way to Karakorum. You may also choose to leave offerings of sweets, money, milk, or vodka. Mongolian shamanism has been practiced at least since 4000 BC; it is an all-encompassing system of belief that includes medicine, religion, a reverence for nature and ancestor worship.
GET YOUR CULTURE FIX IN KARAKORUM, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire, where Chinggis Khaan based himself before invading China in 1220. Visit the King’s Monument which contains vibrant mosaic panels depicting the Hunnu, Turkic and Mongol empires, and Erdene Zuu Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia.
HONOUR THE GREATEST MONGOL OF ALL at the Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex, an hour’s drive east of Ulaanbaatar. The 40-metre-high statue (the world’s largest equestrian statue) has Chinggis Khaan sitting astride a warhorse holding a golden whip. You can take an elevator to the top for breathtaking views across Gorkhi Terelj National Park.
DRIVE WEST THROUGH ELSEN TASARKHAI – the mini-Gobi – on your way to Karakorum, the ancient capital. The trip takes a day or there’s the option to overnight in the desert with a local nomadic family, helping them roundup their animals, learning how to cook traditional (meat-heavy) Mongolian food, riding camels and sleeping in a ger.
