Top Mongolia hotels
Sponsored Links
Even in today, most Mongolians still lead a nomadic and simple life in the vast and rugged land, moving from place to place in search of greener pasture. The weather in Mongolia can be harsh especially the very cold and dark winter which lasts for almost half a year.
WHO DRINKS WATER IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY MUST FOLLOW THE WAYS AND CUSTOMS(mongolian proverb)FIRE is holy and so don't throw anything inside asking before.RESPECT mongolian traditions and they will show you what to do and what to not do .DRINK airak when you arrive in a new gerMongolian respect NATURE, they never throw anything in the nature and so keep with you all the litter you produce in some plastic bags. Mongolian are clean so don't start to deposite litter evrywhere.Mongolian never waste water try to do the sameQUI BOIT L'EAU D'UNE TERRE ETRANGERE DOIT EN SUIVRE LES COUTUMES (proverbe mongol) Dans les gers, avant de jetter n?importe quoi dans le feu: DEMANDER CAR LE FEU EST SACRE POUR LES MONGOLS COMME L'EAU ET LA TERRE.RESPECTEZ la nature comme le font si bien les Mongols, ne laisser rien trainer derriere vous, rammasser vos ordures.NE SOUILLEZ PAS L'EAU avec du savon si vous vous...
The ovoos are real living cultural institutions and memorials.People stop, circambulate and give offerings to the ovoo when they arrive at one on the trail or road. The offering may not be more than a nicely shaped stone or an empty vodka bottle.It can also be something significant to an ailment or of some value (crutches, airag, vodka, car parts, you name it), that hopefully will bring you luck and protection in the continuation.More elaborate ovoos out of wood and stone may consitute a local or regional temple of sorts, and maintained and worshipped by neigbouring communities under leadership of an animist/lama style priest.Less known is that there is also cash offered to the ovoo. This money, tied into prayer flags, serve as a bank for the poor. Poor people can untie the money and spend them. When they again are able to bring back the money, they will do so as keeping/stealing the...
Ovoos are holy structures similar to Tibetan chortens, and the blue prayer flags are for the god(s) of heaven. Offerings are given for specific purposes or generally for safe travel whenever they are located along roads and in passes. Pay your respects!Certainly do not use it as a trash repository, even if some may look slightly like it. Do not pee near these structures, either.In the hillocks up from the steppe, in certain valleys, forests with big trees or in the mountains you can find magnificient ovoos made of stone and wood.Certain places you will find stone rectangles more or less visible and overgrown on the ground. Avoid stepping here and certainly do not camp, pee or defecate here. This is most probably the nearest Ger settlements' family graves and are considered very holy ancestral places.
Do not enter a Ger (it is GER, not the hated Russian term Yurt, in Mongolia these days), without knowing approximately what you are doing. In this simple dwelling, there are so many things to observe and things to consider that a lesson beforehand is worthwhile.Lonely Planet's Mongolia book is giving a good explanation. A Norwegian anthropologist has written a whole book about rules, regulations and symbolism in a ger. The key things is not to enter unless invited; don't lean to the centre pillars; sit down where asked to; do not point your legs toward anybody or toward the Buddha shrine or the centre of the ger; receive with both hands what you get served; you will be given some food or drink and it is impolite to refuse (but you can take just some); it is good to bring reciprocal gifts.
Outside of UB, traditions are more intact and people much more curious of foreigners. A few tips before your arrival. 1.Bring photos of your family and hometown2.some small gifts, like knife sharpener, lighters, playing cards, post cards. 3.Try to eat what your offered, if you cant give some sort of religious, cultural reason. :)
When driving around the countryside of Mongolia, we saw in several places a pile of stones with many turquoise scarfs tied on the stones. Around these piles there were often empty bottles of vodka. Our driver told us that this was some kind of a tradition based on buddhism. The turquoise colour is a holy colour and when you go to the pile of stones you need to drink something. This left me with a few questions but we never managed to get a better explanation!In the picture, instead of the usual pile of stones, you see the turquoise clothes on a turtle. The picture was taken near Kharkhorin.
If you speak any Mongolian/Russian or your Mongolian counterparts speak english you will soon find out that most Mongolians harbor deep mistrust/hatred towards China and the Chinese people. Despite getting many goods and services from China, many people will say they would rather not have them, or buy Russian/Korean products instead. These feelings stem from long bitter histories but largely from the Chinese occupation of Mongolia until the 1920's. Despite being on the border with China and very close to Beijing, Mongolia's Chinese population is very small. On the other hand, Many Mongolians love Russia and the Russian people. Russia is loved because of their help defeating the Chinese, and later the Japanese in WW2 along with various cultural ties they share. If you appear Russian, many people will exchange a greeting with you. There are European Russians in all the major cities of...
If your a man, you will most likely shake hands with another man when meeting. Only take, give items with your right hand or both hands. Tea is held by the hand grip or bottom of the cup, never near the brimDont throw extra salt awayIn Mongolia a unexpected guest is to be treated as if you knew they were coming, that means you should always have tea bags, sweets ready to host someone. Its not rude(in fact its common) to not tell a friend you are coming over to see them.During the White month/Winter month, Tsaasann(spelling is not correct, I know the mongolian cyrlic spelling) Dont tell people your/others misfortunes. If someones animals look small, you should say "your animals are very fat" . This time period is for people to enjoy the coldest months coming to a close.
Mongolians are pushers. When a bus arrived, the entire crowd will squeeze to the door and push to get in. Along the train corridor, as I was walking, I felt A HAND on my back, pushing me. When I turned around, I expected an impatient face but the person was not even looking at me. They just push! Again, at the horse-race during the Naadam Festival, the crowd pushed and pushed until I made a decision to simply die and hope to be resuscitated later. The crowd did not even looked angry and frustrated. They were smiling.Take note that due to the pushing nature of Mongolians, many pickpockets are blending in and working hard. Be careful.
The Continental Hotel Ulaanbaatar
1 Review and 23 Opinions during my stay in UB I was completely cought of guard by this hotel. now they have a new fitness...
Chinggis Khaan Hotel Ulaanbaatar
1 Review and 46 Opinions Very good high end hotel. Modern, recently built. Very good service. We went there with very low...
Bayangol Hotel Ulaanbaatar
2 Reviews and 69 Opinions I stayed here for a couple of nights - the first and last night’s of my Mongolian tour. This 4-star...
Reviews and photos of Mongolia attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Mongolia sightseeing.
More Cities in Mongolia
More Regions in Mongolia
Q: We have the opportunity of visiting Ulaanbaator for two days in December this year. Could anyone tell me how difficult it is to...
A: That depends, do you know what -20 to -30 C fells like? The locals are used to it. Just because it's cold, doesn't mean the whole city goes into hibernation. Things are...
Read 8 Replies
Sponsored Links
