800px-UlaanBaatar-2009

Teddy Nee,

Correspondent (Travel)

 

With more than 1.2 million of population living in Ulaanbaatar (Улаанбаатар, literally means “Red Hero”), this capital city of Mongolia has become the largest city in Mongolia. It is also the coldest capital city in the world. Ulaanbaatar is located in the northern Mongolia, high above the sea level. It has become a prosperous city in one of the most remote locations in the world, being the Mongolian cultural, financial, and industrial centre and a connecting hub for Trans-Siberian Railway in Russia and the Chinese rail system.

Mongolian Ethnic and Language
Many people may have thought that Mongol is a single ethnic group in Mongolia. In fact, there are more than 20 different ethnic groups of Mongolia, including one non-Mongol group called the Kazakhs. The Kazakhs form about five per cent of the population and reside in the western part of Mongolia. The Halh (Халх)/ Khalkha form the largest group in Mongolia — they form up to 80% of the population. They consider their language, Halh, as the true Mongolian language and it is understood throughout Mongolia.

There are more than 10 million Mongolian speakers worldwide, from Inner Mongolia in China to the USA. Mongolians have invented and used as many as 10 different kinds of scripts, letters, and characters, in which Tod and Soyombo letters made the significant contribution to the modern Mongolian language.

Nomadic Culture
Horse is Mongolians’ best friend. For 3,000 years, people have adopted the lifestyle of moving in the search of campsites and the best pasture. Mongolian nomadic people move from place to place two to four times a year. They always follow their livestock, perhaps, because the livestock know where the best pasture is. Mongolian nomads traditionally raise five species of livestock — horse, cow, sheep, goat and camel. With more than 30 million of livestock, Mongolia is truly the land of livestock.

Climate and Weather
Mongolia locates at an average altitude of 1,500 metres above the sea level in the Northern Hemisphere. You can find high mountains surround the country blocking the wet winds. Winter starts from November to April, spring from May to June, and summer continues from July to September. The average summer temperature is approximately 20C; winter temperature is around -20C. There are 250 sunny days a year, when you can see clear sky. Thus, Mongolia is also known as the country of “Blue Sky.”

What to see in Ulaanbaatar
You can find the blend of modernity and Mongolian traditional lifestyle in Ulaanbaatar. Modern cars are everywhere in the city, while cattle and horsemen are still commonly seen. This city has vast variety of attractions. Several of them are listed, but not limited, as follow:

  • One of Mongolian’s most interesting attractions is the Gandan Monastery. It is the most significant and the largest monastery in Mongolia built in the 19th century. The Mongolian people built Migjid Janraisig statue, which is an important part of Gandan Monastery, with donations in the mid 1990’s as a symbol of Buddhist revival.
  • Bogd Khan Palace Museum was once the home of Mongolia’s last king, Javzan Damba Hutagt VIII. It was built between 1893 and 1903. You can find private collections of Javnzan Damba Hutagt and numerous Buddhist artworks in this complex of temples and houses.
  • Choijin Lama Monastery, which was built between 1904-1908, was the home of Bogd Khan ‘s brother, Luvsan Haidav Choijin Lama. It is an example of the traditional Buddhist architecture. You can find tsam dancing masks, original silk icons, and collection of Buddhist artworks in Choijin Lama Monastery.
  • A large statue of Sukhbaatar, a famous patriot, stands in the main square in the centre of Ulaanbaatar. The square is named after him, Sukhbaatar Square. Important buildings such as the Drama Theatre, Cultural Palace and the Parliament House surround Sukhbaatar Square.
  • A Russian merchant built Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts in 1905. It was located in central Ulaanbaatar. The Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts displays Mongolian art from prehistory to the early twentieth century. The museum served as a department store, a Russian Red Army soldier’s office and a Chinese bank during various times in the history.

Image Courtesy: By Brücke-Osteuropa (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

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Teddy Nee

Teddy Nee

Blogger at Nee's Language Blog
Teddy Nee holds a Bachelor degree in Applied Computing of a university in Taiwan. He is also a language enthusiast, a website developer, and an IMBA student. He is currently running his language blog at www.neeslanguageblog.com
Teddy Nee

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