Mongolia

trippingthelight · Jun 25, 2018

Mongolia is a country that is emerging from the past Soviet occupation. Tourism is becoming an important part of their economy but mining is still their main economic generator There are two reasons for making this trip. One is to visit the country and experience its culture (Nadaam Festival) and the other is to look for the Eagle Hunters on the steppes of Mongolia. Strictly speaking the eagle hunters are not really Mongols but Kazakhs. Do not mistaken Inner Mongolia from Mongolia. Inner Mongolia is part of China.
It was an adventure! We camped on the steppes. Sometimes in yurt tents and sometimes in small tents. It was cold at night. We trekked to the glacier at the Altai National Park. We got stuck in a raging river crossing using a 4x4. Eat nomadic food with the Kazakhs. The Nadaam Festival was interesting. It is a mix of national pride and Mongol culture. Wrestling, horse racing and archery are the main events of the Festival. I suggest you make a trip to this very "raw" country before it modernize!

Sükhbaatar Square by Ning Yu Pao, on Flickr

Mongol On A Hill by Ning Yu Pao, on Flickr

Move! by Ning Yu Pao, on Flickr

Dancing by Ning Yu Pao, on Flickr

Zaisan Memorial by Ning Yu Pao, on Flickr

Will post more later...