Genghis Khan – Where Did He Come From?

Also spelt as Ulan Bator, Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia’s largest city. The land synonymous with Genghis Khan, Ulaanbaatar is located in the east of the country’s centre and it is estimated that one-third of Mongolia’s population lives here.

Unlike its name, the Peace Avenue is far from being peaceful for it is the main shopping street with restaurants stretching the entire length of it, all ready to tempt you with its Mongolian flavours. Those seeking ‘peace’ should head to either the Gandan Monastery or the Choijin Lama Monastery. The Gandan Monastery is the main monastery in the city while the Choijin Lama Monastery exhibits the art and the history of the previous century. The Yadam and Amgalan temples situated within contain rare artefacts by Zanabazar, the famous Mongolian artist and sculptor.

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Museum-lovers will be excited at the number of museums in Ulaanbaatar. The Natural History Museum has exhibits on Mongolian geography, ancient volcanoes, and flora and fauna unique to Mongolia. Then, there is the National History Museum, the Memorial Museum of the Victims of Political Repression and the National Museum of Mongolian History; all to satisfy the penchant for Mongolian history in you.

A museum different from the rest is the International Intellectual Museum. The museum displays and manufactures Mongolian logic games, puzzle toys, souvenirs and hand crafted products. Work your brains cracking the puzzles here! After some brain-exercise, head over to Naran Tuul which is also known as the Black Market. Clothes, toy and souvenirs are in abundance here at a cheap price. Just as in any other crowded marketplace, beware of your belongings for there are pickpockets mingling in the crowd.

With a little planning, you could coincide your trip with the Naadam festival which is the largest and most famous festival consisting of competitions in the three traditional Mongolian sports of archery, wrestling and horse racing. The festival is held annually from 11th–13th July.

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Mongolian food is extremely unique. Khorhog is prepared by cutting up the met of a sheep and placing it to cook in a container with hot stones. Vegetables are also added to the meat. Boodog is another dish prepared using hot stones. This time, the hot stones are stuffed together with vegetables, salt and pepper inside the animal instead to cook it. The nomadic way of life has also resulted in various ways of preserving food. The Borts dried meat is prepared by cutting the meat into long strips and dried. It becomes very hard and is not edible unless it is powedered and put into boiling water, creating  delicious yummy broth. For dessert, there is the Boortsog, a Mongolian biscuit or cookie.

Milk is available in abundance and forms the base for most of Mongol drinks. The Airag is Mongolia’s traditional drink. It is a fermented mare’s milk that is usually served during the Naadam festival. The Aaruul is curdled milk attributing to the Mongol’s strong and healthy teeth and finally, there is tea with milk, made fresh from cow, camel or sheep milk. A little salt is added to the tea when it is brewed. You are guaranteed to be in the best of health after drinking all these milky drinks in Ulaanbaatar! For non-milk drinkers, fret not for vodka is also gaining popularity with the growing number of local brands.