China: exploring the culture of Mongolia
Where couch-surfing has become a modern phenomenon for the independent traveller, the only means of travelling across Mongolia traditionally involved its people providing food and shelter for complete strangers. Many changes have occurred here in the wake of 70 years of communist domination and general isolation, however it remains a place of kindness, tradition and contrasts .
To avoid any confusion as to the geographic location of this destination, the country known as Mongolia is distinct from Inner Mongolia, which is an autonomous region within China. Tour operators are varied in which areas they cover. Peregrine, for example, travels to Mongolia, while Intrepid Travel, Adventure World, and World Expeditions cover both the autonomous region and the country.
To preserve an understanding of this fascinating country, the following cultural considerations are just a few that visitors should keep in mind.
A nomadic lifestyle has been in place for a long period of time in Mongolia and continues in spite of the growing urban landscape around Ulan Bator. A mobile tent, known as a ger, is culturally significant to the people. World Expeditions chief executive Sue Badyari described it as a “centrepiece for Mongolian traditions”. The rear is reserved as a place of honour for guests, while the right side is for female family members and the left for males.
Sadly, the generosity of the people is sometimes taken advantage of by travellers and Becky Last, Peregrine destination manager China, Central Asia and Japan, said that when visiting a ger, the idea is to share rather than pay your way. Instead of giving hosts money, which would turn their traditional lifestyle into a commercial transaction, visitors should carry useful things such as a newspaper, string or local sweets to exchange for their hospitality. Photographs are also highly sought after so ensure they are sent to the family if promised and always ask before taking them inside the ger.
Adventure World marketing manager Neil Rodgers said Mongolians have superstitions about death, divorce, accidents or bad luck, and that these are issues they take seriously. Badyari also expanded on their superstition with time and numbers of stock. They believe talking about such subjects will either bring bad luck or that the animals will be cursed and consequently decline in number. Essentially, it is best not to mention such topics.
Visitors should be aware of the extreme weather conditions of Mongolia. Badyari explained that summers can be searingly hot and winters not unlike those in the Arctic, and that the weather is variable during any season. Tours and treks usually run in the summer months with average temperatures ranging from 13 to 17 degrees celsius, although the weather can change during these months and temperatures can still drop considerably on a night in the mountains. Spring can be very windy and snow can fall at any time of the year. Travellers should be prepared for all conditions and ensure they have sufficient rain protection and warm clothing.
The Mongolian countryside offers incredible landscape contrasts. The Gobi Desert in the south is mostly a formation of flat, gravel plains and high mountains with intricate rock formations. This differs vastly from the north where gushing streams, lush forests and clear lakes make up the scenery.
According to Tony Carne, Intrepid Travel North Asia destination manager, Australia’s travel advisory for Mongolia is at level two which is “exercise caution”. He also advised to take care when walking alone at night and to stay with a group on well-lit thoroughfares. Visitors should also be aware that Mongolians drive on the opposite side of the road. Last also said that inexperienced people getting on horses that have not been broken in are a big danger. She reinforced that the horses are not broken to western standards and that medical services are a long way away.
The currency used in Mongolia is the togrog and the US dollar is the currency most easily convertible within the country, however the Australian dollar is also accepted, Badyari pointed out. Tipping is generally accepted for tourist services.
The official language is Mongolian but Turkish, Uzbek and Korean are also spoken in some quarters. Many people have Russian as their second language and an increasing number also speak English.
In the capital young people are beginning to mirror western clothing standards but the elderly still wear dels, which constitutes the traditional Mongolian dress. Rodgers pointed out that when visiting a monastery shorts and short skirts should not be worn as a sign of respect. The predominant religion throughout Mongolia is Buddhism. Many similarities exist in the culture and lifestyle between Mongolia and Tibet courtesy of the religion.
To avoid any confusion as to the geographic location of this destination, the country known as Mongolia is distinct from Inner Mongolia, which is an autonomous region within China. Tour operators are varied in which areas they cover. Peregrine, for example, travels to Mongolia, while Intrepid Travel, Adventure World, and World Expeditions cover both the autonomous region and the country.
To preserve an understanding of this fascinating country, the following cultural considerations are just a few that visitors should keep in mind.
A nomadic lifestyle has been in place for a long period of time in Mongolia and continues in spite of the growing urban landscape around Ulan Bator. A mobile tent, known as a ger, is culturally significant to the people. World Expeditions chief executive Sue Badyari described it as a “centrepiece for Mongolian traditions”. The rear is reserved as a place of honour for guests, while the right side is for female family members and the left for males.
Sadly, the generosity of the people is sometimes taken advantage of by travellers and Becky Last, Peregrine destination manager China, Central Asia and Japan, said that when visiting a ger, the idea is to share rather than pay your way. Instead of giving hosts money, which would turn their traditional lifestyle into a commercial transaction, visitors should carry useful things such as a newspaper, string or local sweets to exchange for their hospitality. Photographs are also highly sought after so ensure they are sent to the family if promised and always ask before taking them inside the ger.
Adventure World marketing manager Neil Rodgers said Mongolians have superstitions about death, divorce, accidents or bad luck, and that these are issues they take seriously. Badyari also expanded on their superstition with time and numbers of stock. They believe talking about such subjects will either bring bad luck or that the animals will be cursed and consequently decline in number. Essentially, it is best not to mention such topics.
Visitors should be aware of the extreme weather conditions of Mongolia. Badyari explained that summers can be searingly hot and winters not unlike those in the Arctic, and that the weather is variable during any season. Tours and treks usually run in the summer months with average temperatures ranging from 13 to 17 degrees celsius, although the weather can change during these months and temperatures can still drop considerably on a night in the mountains. Spring can be very windy and snow can fall at any time of the year. Travellers should be prepared for all conditions and ensure they have sufficient rain protection and warm clothing.
The Mongolian countryside offers incredible landscape contrasts. The Gobi Desert in the south is mostly a formation of flat, gravel plains and high mountains with intricate rock formations. This differs vastly from the north where gushing streams, lush forests and clear lakes make up the scenery.
According to Tony Carne, Intrepid Travel North Asia destination manager, Australia’s travel advisory for Mongolia is at level two which is “exercise caution”. He also advised to take care when walking alone at night and to stay with a group on well-lit thoroughfares. Visitors should also be aware that Mongolians drive on the opposite side of the road. Last also said that inexperienced people getting on horses that have not been broken in are a big danger. She reinforced that the horses are not broken to western standards and that medical services are a long way away.
The currency used in Mongolia is the togrog and the US dollar is the currency most easily convertible within the country, however the Australian dollar is also accepted, Badyari pointed out. Tipping is generally accepted for tourist services.
The official language is Mongolian but Turkish, Uzbek and Korean are also spoken in some quarters. Many people have Russian as their second language and an increasing number also speak English.
In the capital young people are beginning to mirror western clothing standards but the elderly still wear dels, which constitutes the traditional Mongolian dress. Rodgers pointed out that when visiting a monastery shorts and short skirts should not be worn as a sign of respect. The predominant religion throughout Mongolia is Buddhism. Many similarities exist in the culture and lifestyle between Mongolia and Tibet courtesy of the religion.
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