Mongolia is one of those destinations where, even in the 21st century, it is still possible to live the adventure with a capital A. To undertake a journey in this singular country will be inevitably synonymous with leaving to the discovery of a way of life today disappeared within the Western societies. The descendants of the greatest emperor of all times, Chinggis Khaan, organize their daily life according to the rhythm of nature and the herds, far from the fury of big capitals. The real alchemy of a trip to Mongolia lies in the total change of scenery that this country offers between the immensity of the steppes, the unreal beauty of the Gobi desert and the incredibly warm welcome of the nomadic populations. Unique!
Ulaanbaatar, a capital in motion
"The ugliest and coldest capital in the world" is how Ulaanbaatar is often described. Grey, terribly rough in winter, disorganized, and noisy at the time of the traffic jams, the Mongolian capital remains nevertheless the inescapable point of arrival by air, of all the travelers coming from the whole world..
Its very Soviet architecture strikes at first sight. It recalls a bygone era. Since the departure of the Russians in the early 1990s, some buildings in the heart of the city have never received any attention. But the Mongolian capital has also changed a lot since the end of the Soviet era... It became an astonishing city where modernity, wealth of the new entrepreneurs and poverty of some nomads forced to the rural exodus clash. Nowadays, yurts, buildings of Stalinist architecture and contemporary dwellings form a heterogeneous whole which gives a new face to the city. Ulaanbaatar also offers cultural treasures, including several palaces and monasteries, which are a good introduction to Mongolia. Several good museums, such as the National History Museum, allow you to learn a lot about the country
The traditional shows at the National Theater, the memorable evenings in the many bars or the few good places to go shopping are all arguments that play in its favor. For those who are not used to Mongolian cuisine, Ulaanbaatar is a small paradise for the taste buds. All the cuisines of the world, or almost, are mixed there
A splendid and magical nature
What strikes at once any visitor who discovers Mongolia, it is this almost virgin nature and these landscapes which extend as far as the eye can see in a kind of Pascalian infinity. From the vast steppes of Eastern Mongolia to the infinite flatness of the Gobi desert, from the snowy peaks of the Altai to the depression of the lakes in the north of the country, Mongolia offers indeed an exceptional wealth of landscapes where nature has remained wild. How not to marvel at the singing dunes of Khongor, the highest dune massif of the Gobi? It is also difficult not to fall under the charm of the Orkhon Valley covered with larch forests and rivers, without forgetting the magnificent waterfalls of the Ulan Tsutgalan River with a height of 24 meters ..
Mongolia is thus similar to a natural and virginal Eden which would not have been trodden by the man. It is precisely for this reason that the observers of fauna and flora are delighted. With 45 species of birds, 12,500 kinds of insects (of which more than 2,000 have been observed only in Mongolia), 138 species of mammals among which thirty are extremely rare (we can mention the wild camel, the Gobi bear or the wild Przewalski's horse) and more than 2,800 plants, the country is a real concentrate of nature which only asks to be explored. Mongolia is, therefore, the ideal place for nature lovers but also for fans of trekking and horseback riding.
A still living history
One of the first images that comes to mind when you think of Mongolia is that of hordes of horsemen launched to conquer the world. The fabulous epic of Chinggis Khaan, in the XIIIth century, had made Europe discover these curious centaurs that nothing seemed to be able to stop. It is difficult today, by observing the rhythm of life of the peaceful Mongolian nomads, to imagine that they are the descendants of these warriors. However, the steppes of the country still carry the mark of this page of history, put in the honor since a few years. If the location of the tomb of the most famous Mongol in history remains a mystery, the region of origin of Chinggis Khaan, the province of Hentiy, is beginning to show interest in its enfant terrible. Nationwide, the founder of the Mongolian Empire is once again celebrated, both culturally and commercially: Chinggis vodka, Chinggis bars, stamps, statues, currency... In the east of the country, the city where the emperor was born has even been renamed Chinggis! The great Khaan (Mongolian leader) is everywhere, late revenge on his detractors of the thirteenth century. Revenge especially on the period of Soviet occupation, 70 years during which Mongolia was cut off from the non-communist world and subjected to political and economic regimes imposed by the Russians. The Russians had erased the images of Chinggis Khaan, which could have awakened a patriotism that had been dormant for several centuries, and controlled the nomadic populations, whose scattered movement was incompatible with the Soviet bureaucracy. Mongolia is just beginning to heal the wounds of this period of submission. After centuries of confinement, the country offers today to the world these pages of history inscribed in its nature, in its cities and omnipresent in the spirit of its populations.
A unique way of life
Traveling in Mongolia offers a unique opportunity to discover the way of life of its nomadic populations. To appreciate its richness, you must have slept in the cozy cocoon of a ger, tasted the barely fermented airag at the beginning of the summer, savored the buuz in family, gathered the herds perched on a horse and listened to the diphonic songs at sunset ... Finally, you must have participated in the local festivals by sharing the joy of living and generosity of populations very attached to the traditions of welcome and hospitality. In July, the Naadam, literally "game" in Mongolian, is the occasion to admire the skill of archers coming from all over the country to compete in front of the referees of the capital. In the stadium of Ulaanbaatar, or on the more modest lawns of the aimag (or provincial) capitals, wrestlers in camisoles and pointed hats dance around the beige banners between two fights. Farther, the steppes tremble under the hooves of horses launched at full speed by riders as high as three apples. The Naadam is a popular festival, a joust of strength, skill and speed, which immediately plunges into the oldest traditions of the country. In winter, it is Tsagaan Sar which marks the Mongolian New Year. In winter, Tsagaan Sar marks the Mongolian New Year, with a week of banquets punctuated by horse and camel races, polo competitions and contests organized in the bitter cold of February. So many moments not to be missed, so that a stay in this rough country is impregnated with all the joy of living of its inhabitants. And the promise of unique moments!
Useful information
When is the best time to visit? The climate of Mongolia is continental with short, hot summers and long, harsh winters. The best conditions are met from June to September
How to get there. Average price of a flight from Paris to Ulaanbaatar: about 1 200 € all year round. There is no direct flight from Paris
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