Mongolia
The area of what is now Mongolia has been ruled by various nomadic empires, including the Xiongnu, the Xianbei, the Rouran, the Gökturks and others although the Mongol Empire was founded by Genghis Khan in 1206. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Mongolia came under the influence of Tibetan Buddhism. At the end of the 17th century, most of Mongolia had been incorporated into the area ruled by the Qing Dynasty. During the collapse of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, Mongolia declared independence, but had to struggle until 1921 to firmly establish de facto independence from the Republic of China, and until 1945 to gain international recognition. As a consequence, it came under strong Russian and Soviet influence; and in 1924, the Mongolian People's Republic was declared. After the breakdown of communist regimes in Eastern Europe in late 1989, Mongolia saw its own Democratic Revolution in early 1990, which led to a multi-party system, a new constitution in 1992, and transition to a market economy.
At 600,000 sq mi, Mongolia is the 19th largest and the most sparsely populated independent country in the world, with a population of around 6 million people with over half living in the capital city. Approximately 30% of the population are nomadic or semi-nomadic with the predominant religion being Tibetan Buddhism. About 20% of the population live on less than US$1.25 per day.
Also see: http://suchit.net/photo/mongolia_2009/index.htm
Mongolian Ger (Yurt with portable felt dwelling) with clear blue skies above and a vast expanse of land in Gobi desert. One can drive long distances without coming across any people or mammals. Occasionally one comes across a ger and a few family members. Rural Central Mongolia.
Mongolian Ger (Yurt) in Gobi desert. Central Mongolia.
Traditional gers consist of a circular wooden frame carrying a felt cover. The felt is made from the wool of the flocks of sheep that accompany the pastoralists. The timber to make the external structure is not to be found on the treeless steppes, and must be traded.
The frame consists of one or more lattice wall-sections, a door-frame, roof poles and a crown. Some styles have one or more columns to support the crown. The (self-supporting) wood frame is covered with pieces of felt. Depending on availability, the felt is additionally covered with canvas and/or sun-covers. The frame is held together with one or more ropes or ribbons. The structure is kept under compression by the weight of the covers, sometimes supplemented by a heavy weight hung from the center of the roof. They vary regionally, with straight or bent roof-poles, different sizes, and relative weight.
It is designed to be dismantled and the parts carried on camels or yaks to be rebuilt on another site.DSC8380yurtruralcountrysidecountrysidecentral mongoliacentralsanddesertstonegravelblue skyblue skiesgobimongoliagerfamilymongolianblueskyredsoilvegetation
Mongolia (i/mɒŋˈɡoʊliə/; Mongolian: Монгол улс (help·info), literally means Mongol country/nation) is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. The area of what is now Mongolia has been ruled by various nomadic empires, including the Xiongnu, the Xianbei, the Rouran, the Gökturks and others although the Mongol Empire was founded by Genghis Khan in 1206. Mongolia is famous for its Gobi desert.
Ariel view from the plane of snow covered Mongolia seen on the flight to/from Beijing, China.
chinggis khaanchinggiskhaaninternationalairportarielviewUlaanbaatarsnowsunriseUBulaanbaatorulanbatorMongoliaplanemountainssnow peaksblue sky
Housing settlement in Övörkhangai Province, in the town of Kharkhorin (near Karakorum) Mongolia.
settlementhousescentral mongoliahospitaldoctorcentralmongoliaBatpurevDr. Amarsaikhan Dashamarsaikhandashdirector
A common mode of transportation in rural Mongolia. Cattle (horse) drawn carts move across the plains at a slow and steady pace. Central Mongolia.
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Sukhbaatar Square is the heart of Ulaanbaatar where the Parliament, the Government House, Stock Exchange and many other important establishments are concentrated. The square is named after Sukhbaatar, the famous patriot, whose statue is the main attraction on this square.
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Too much graffiti on Zaisan Memorial.
Located to the south side of Ulaanbaatar is Zaisan Hill Memorial which was erected on the occasion of 50th anniversary of Mongolia Independence and honors the Soviet and Mongolian soldiers who died in WWII in the fight against Japan and Nazi Germany. Next to the monumental statue of the soldier, a mosaic composition on a large circular panel in reinforced concrete illustrates the theme of friendship between Mongol and Soviet peoples. In the center of it a large granite bowl holds an eternal flame. The Memorial provides impressive view over the whole capital city.Zaisan MemorialUlaanbaatarZaisanHillMemorial50th anniversarymongoliaIndependenceSovietMongoliansoldiersWWIIstatuemosaiccircular panelreinforced concretethemegraniteeternal flamecapital cityub
Zaisan Memorial. Located to the south side of Ulaanbaatar is Zaisan Hill Memorial which was erected on the occasion of 50th anniversary of Mongolia Independence and honors the Soviet and Mongolian soldiers who died in WWII in the fight against Japan and Nazi Germany. Next to the monumental statue of the soldier, a mosaic composition on a large circular panel in reinforced concrete illustrates the theme of friendship between Mongol and Soviet peoples. In the center of it a large granite bowl holds an eternal flame. The Memorial provides impressive view over the whole capital city.
Zaisan MemorialUlaanbaatarZaisanHillMemorial50th anniversarymongoliaIndependenceSovietMongoliansoldiersWWIIstatuemosaiccircular panelreinforced concretethemegraniteeternal flamecapital cityub
Young mother gave birth to the child and had come for a check-up. Seen while reviewing the systems and e-health facillities in Central Mongolia with Dr. Amarsaikhan Dash, and Batpurev.
central mongoliahospitaldoctorcentralmongoliaBatpurevDr. Amarsaikhan Dashamarsaikhandashdirector
Smiling little girl outside Health Sciences University of Mongolia, Ulaanbataar.
As we return to UB, Mongolia more stops at an ovoo (Mongolian: овоо, heap) which is a type of shamanistic cairn usually made from rocks or from wood. Ovoos are often found at the top of mountains and in high places, like mountain passes. They serve mainly as religious sites, used in worship of the mountains and the sky as well as in Buddhist ceremonies, but often are also landmarks.
When travelling, it is custom to stop and circle an ovoo three times in clockwise direction, in order to have a safer journey. Usually, rocks are picked up from the ground and added to the pile. Also, one may leave offerings in the form of sweets, money, milk, or vodka.ovooshamanshamanisticcountrysidecountrysidecentral mongoliacentralgobimongoliamedicalubulaanbaatorulanbatorulaan baator
Small temple at Erdene Zuu monastery and museum, Kharkhorin. Karakorum, Central Mongolia
templebuddhistreligionErdene ZuuErdene Zuu monasterymonasterymuseumKharkhorinKarakorumCentral Mongoliamongoliadesert
Havasgaityn Am in the evening light, Gurvan Saikhan National Park. Gobi desert, Southern Mongolia
Havasgaityn Amevening lightGurvan Saikhan National ParkGobi desertSouthern Mongoliamongoliagravelgrassdrydesert
Mongolian Ger (Yurt with portable felt dwelling) with clear blue skies above and a vast expanse of land in Gobi desert. One can drive long distances without coming across any people or mammals. Occasionally one comes across a ger and a few family members. Rural Central Mongolia.
Mongolian Ger (Yurt) in Gobi desert. Central Mongolia.
Traditional gers consist of a circular wooden frame carrying a felt cover. The felt is made from the wool of the flocks of sheep that accompany the pastoralists. The timber to make the external structure is not to be found on the treeless steppes, and must be traded.
The frame consists of one or more lattice wall-sections, a door-frame, roof poles and a crown. Some styles have one or more columns to support the crown. The (self-supporting) wood frame is covered with pieces of felt. Depending on availability, the felt is additionally covered with canvas and/or sun-covers. The frame is held together with one or more ropes or ribbons. The structure is kept under compression by the weight of the covers, sometimes supplemented by a heavy weight hung from the center of the roof. They vary regionally, with straight or bent roof-poles, different sizes, and relative weight.
It is designed to be dismantled and the parts carried on camels or yaks to be rebuilt on another site.yurtruralcountrysidecountrysidecentral mongoliacentralsanddesertstonegravelblue skyblue skiesgobimongoliagerfamilymongolianblueskyredsoilvegetation
Streams of melted ice flow through the forest. Central Mongolia
ruralcountrysidecountrysidecentral mongoliacentralsanddesertstonegravelblue skyblue skiesgobimongoliamedical
Mongolian rider with his horse. Also seen is a cluster of gers in the back. Living at great distances, its good to see an occasional human in the vast expanse of land while we were drive across long distances. Gobi desert. Rural Central Mongolia.
horseridermongolianruralcountrysidecountrysidecentral mongoliacentralsanddesertstonegravelblue skyblue skiesgobimongoliageryurt
Chinggis Khaan Vodka being sold in UB (Ulaan Bator), Mongolia.
The Theatre in UB (Ulan Bator), Mongolia. In 1956 cinemas, theatres, museums etc. were erected. This is a nice hall where large concerts can be held.
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Railway station at UB (Ulaanbaator), Ulaan Bator, Mongolia. UB is connected by rail to the Trans-Siberian Railway and Chinese railroad network.
railwaystationconnectedrailTransSiberian Railwaychinese railroad networkubulaan batorulaanbaatarmongolia
Students in a classroom for training nurses at the Hospital Training facility in Mongolia. Sainshand Medical College Dornogobi aimag.
nursesmeetingmongolianstaffhospitalubulaan batorulaanbaatarmongolia
The Danzanravjaa Museum was established in 1991 in honour of the fifth Goviin Dogshin Noyon Khutagt ("Terrible Noble Saint of the Gobi"), one of the greatest and most unusual intellectuals in Mongolian history. The museum preserves and displays Danzanravjaa's original artistic works and literary manuscripts, along with his books, religious items, theatrical costumes, personal possessions, and similar objects illustrating his life and work.
The nineteenth century Lama Danzanravjaa was one of the most creative, colorful and enigmatic characters in Mongolian history. He was an accomplished artist, poet, scholar, playwright, songwriter, linguist, collector, traveler, martial artist, and herbal medic as well as Buddhist leader in the Gobi. He spent months at a time in prayer and creative solitude in caves or in his special ger, which, to avoid interruption, he had built without a door. At other times he was a hot-tempered, drunken party animal, organizing and participating in wild orgies at his temple. In his lifetime he was considered a living god and at his death a martyr. Today Mongolians are just discovering his full dimensions as after his death in 1856, Danzanravjaa's legend and surviving works went underground for 135 years.
Masks, dress and other display at the Danzanravjaa Museum which was established in 1991 in honour of the fifth Goviin Dogshin Noyon Khutagt ("Terrible Noble Saint of the Gobi"), one of the greatest and most unusual intellectuals in Mongolian history. The museum preserves and displays Danzanravjaa's original artistic works and literary manuscripts, along with his books, religious items, theatrical costumes, personal possessions, and similar objects illustrating his life and work.
The nineteenth century Lama Danzanravjaa was one of the most creative, colorful and enigmatic characters in Mongolian history. He was an accomplished artist, poet, scholar, playwright, songwriter, linguist, collector, traveler, martial artist, and herbal medic as well as Buddhist leader in the Gobi. He spent months at a time in prayer and creative solitude in caves or in his special ger, which, to avoid interruption, he had built without a door. At other times he was a hot-tempered, drunken party animal, organizing and participating in wild orgies at his temple. In his lifetime he was considered a living god and at his death a martyr. Today Mongolians are just discovering his full dimensions as after his death in 1856, Danzanravjaa's legend and surviving works went underground for 135 years.
The Danzanravjaa Museum was established in 1991 in honour of the fifth Goviin Dogshin Noyon Khutagt ("Terrible Noble Saint of the Gobi"), one of the greatest and most unusual intellectuals in Mongolian history. The museum preserves and displays Danzanravjaa's original artistic works and literary manuscripts, along with his books, religious items, theatrical costumes, personal possessions, and similar objects illustrating his life and work.
The nineteenth century Lama Danzanravjaa was one of the most creative, colorful and enigmatic characters in Mongolian history. He was an accomplished artist, poet, scholar, playwright, songwriter, linguist, collector, traveler, martial artist, and herbal medic as well as Buddhist leader in the Gobi. He spent months at a time in prayer and creative solitude in caves or in his special ger, which, to avoid interruption, he had built without a door. At other times he was a hot-tempered, drunken party animal, organizing and participating in wild orgies at his temple. In his lifetime he was considered a living god and at his death a martyr. Today Mongolians are just discovering his full dimensions as after his death in 1856, Danzanravjaa's legend and surviving works went underground for 135 years.danzanravjaamuseumgobidesertmongoliahistoryintellectuallegendlamapoetbuddhist leaderbooksmusicart
Gobi desert: stupa in the desert. Buddhist prayer mount and prayer area. Some tourists especially Japanese come to this area to offer prayers. Center of energy, towards Khamariin Khiid Monastary in Dornogobi, Mongolia.
buddhistprayertouristsmongoliangobidesertmongoliastupareligiousbuddhaCenter of energyKhamariin Khiid MonastaryDornogobi
Buddhist temple and stupa in Gobi desert, Mongolia. Almost as if a non-man land this cluster was an oasis in the desert.
Khamar Monastery was established in the 1820's by famous 19th century Mongolian educator and literary figure Danzanravjaa. The Monastery was an important centre of the Buddhist "red sect", and seat of the Gobiin Dogshin Noyon Khutagt ("Terrible Noble Saint of the Gobi").buddhiststupatemplerelgionmongolianmonkgergobi desertmongolia
Old Mongolian couple who had come to see the cave of the nineteenth century Lama Danzanravjaa who was one of the most creative, colorful and enigmatic characters in Mongolian history. He came here to spend time in solitude.
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One of the incentives thrown by Dr. Amarsaikhan Dash for me to do this climb was to see the endangered Mongolian goat. With his hunter like eyes he was able to spot it at a vast distance. Hopefully its visible on the image too. I was at max zoom.
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Early morning empty streets of UB, Mongolia outside Natural History Museum, Ulaan Baator.
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