Discover Mongolia’s Gobi Desert
When I first hear the word “desert,” I think hot, dry, and lifeless. However, the Gobi Desert is anything but. The Gobi in Mongolia is a place where it rains in the summer, snows in the winter, but it remains dry and flat. You might be surprised to see life in the desert. One special plant, found only there, called the Saxon, is one of the many unique life forms.
The Gobi Desert also has an extremely harsh climate. One day you could be so cold you’ll be wrapped up in scarves, hats, and gloves, and the next day you’ll be so hot you don’t even want to move.
Don’t let the changable weather stop you from seeing all the Gobi has to offer, from the Flaming Cliffs to the Singing Sand Dunes. The Flaming Cliffs, natural red-orange sandstone cliffs, are well known not just for their “flaming” appearance—especially at sunset—but also this is the area where the first dinosaur eggs were found. Although it is unlikely you will find any dinosaur footprints, you may get to hear the sound of the wind blowing the sand on the Singing Sand Dunes. This massive yellow dune might fool you into thinking you are in the Sahara Desert until you look behind you and see beautiful rocky mountains, lush green grass, and a lively stream.
Camping like the Nomads
Camping in a traditional Mongolian-style Ger camp really gives you the feeling of living like a Mongolian Nomad. Don’t worry, though; you won’t be completely unplugged or out of touch with the outside world and what you are used to. Over the centuries, while maintaining their traditional lifestyle, these nomads have also adopted modern technology. Some even make calls to their family in the city! You can still charge your phone or camera batteries, but it’s recommended to bring extra charging plugs. As camps do have them available, the slots can fill up very fast, especially at busy camps that may have as many as 80 people.
Another thing these camps provide is heat and air conditioning! This heat and air conditioning system is all natural; the way the tents are made ensures you stay warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot. When it’s hot outside, there is an open frame window at the top, a wooden wall section where you can open the curtains, and a door that faces south. This allows the wind from the northwest to come through, cooling the inside. When it is cold out, the tents are covered with thick felt and sheep wool; a fire is lit in the middle so that the tent warms very fast.
City Life
Many people don’t expect Mongolia to have an urban city life, but are nicely surprised by Ulaanbaatar, the nation’s capital. Ulaanbaatar is a rapidly developing city with a population of 1.3 million. Since this city is developing so rapidly over the past 5-10 years, there is still a lot of construction underway. People can expect to see poor infrastructure conditions.
The city also boasts a diverse range of cultural mixes. Ger districts in the suburbs, where people have transitioned from traditional nomadic housing to settled accommodation. There are many Russian-style apartments that date back to the socialist era in Mongolia. Ulaanbaatar even has a modern Shangri-la 5-star hotel!
The Food!
Mongolia stands out for its high consumption of meat, with almost all Mongolian dishes centring around it. The meat is entirely natural, with no involvement in meat farming; all animals roam freely, grazing and feeding on whatever they find in nature. People in Mongolia do not commonly use sauces; instead, they typically season meats with basics such as onion, garlic, and salt. Contrary to the misconception that Mongolian people exclusively consume meat, they also include a variety of other foods and vegetables in their diet.
Some traditional, well-known Mongolian dishes include Khorkhog, Boodog, and even horse meat. People prepare Khorkhog as a hot stone mutton barbecue in a pot. Boodog, similar to Khorkhog, differs in its cooking method, as it involves cooking inside the skin or cavity of a gutted animal. This method is not suitable for large animals; formerly, the marmot Boodog was the most common, but it is now illegal due to marmot disease. Horse meat is more frequently consumed in the winter, benefiting from being a “warm-blooded animal,” which results in the meat tasting fresher in cold weather.
In Ger camps, you are likely to encounter more traditional-style Mongolian dishes, but restaurants also offer plenty of westernised dishes for you to find and enjoy.
Naadam Festival
Translated, Naadam means festival. As some people describe it, this is Mongolia’s national version of the Olympic Games. It falls on July 11th and 12th, and it is one of the biggest celebrations of the year. Many people express their pride in their country by wearing national costumes, and during festivals, they consume exceptional food.
Three national sports take place during this festival. They are wrestling, archery, and horse racing. Horse racing is very different from what the Western world expects. The jockeys are very young, ranging in age from 8 to 15 years old. They do not use a saddle either, because, well… the lighter, the faster! There are five different types of horse races, all based on the horses’ age. Everyone, especially those from nomadic cultures, enjoys and loves these races; they feel a strong connection to the horse.
