Mongolia – between modernity and nomad lifestyle
Between Russia in the north and China in the south of the border lies the wide and spacious country of Mongolia. Once a superpower in the world under the leadership of Dschinghis Khan and now one of the countries with the most space per person – only 2 people per km2.
Getting to Mongolia is fairly easy since direct flights from nearly every country are very common. If you want to travel in style, you can also take the Trans-Siberian Railway – the longest Railroad in the world. The journey starts in Moscow and after 5 days you will be in Irkutsk. From there on you have to travel south for roughly a day and will be in Ulan Bator. Of course, you can also take the train from Vladivostok in the east to Irkutsk.
Ulan Bator is the capital of Mongolia. Roughly 40% of the population of the country lives in this city. When you find yourself in the capital, you will experience a lot of buildings with a historical background. Palaces, temples, and monasteries can be visited throughout the year and will give you an insight into the cultural heritage.
The main reason people visit Mongolia is different. Many people are fascinated by the vast prairie and the almost untouched nature. A lot of farmers that live in the prairie are still living a nomad lifestyle. They are living in yurts and are traveling with the seasons. It is possible to book a trip and stay the night in a yurt as well. The locals will give you a typical insight into their world and how they manage to survive in the barren land.
In the prairie it can happen, that you won’t meet another person for hours or days. You need to be confident with your abilities to survive, if something happens.
The farmers are usually traveling by motorbike or on horses. It is normal in this region, that the family stays together in their tent camps, from Grandson to Grandmother. They do meet other people in smaller towns, for festivities or to sell their produce. In the smaller towns of the region are often held sports competitions, for example in Mongolian wrestling.
Living in the prairie is full of privation. Water has to be bought in town and transported to the yurt – it is one of the most precious goods. Even though electricity can be easily produced by solar power, most families are using a diesel generator.
If you want to travel to the prairie, you must be aware of the lack of luxury. On the other hand, it is the perfect place to practice mindfulness and get in touch with your inner self.
