Mongolia, located in East Asia, has a rich history dating back to the Stone Age. The Mongols formed the largest empire in history under Genghis Khan, but eventually lost control of China and fell under the rule of the Manchus. Mongolia gained independence in 1919 with the help of the Soviet Union and transitioned to democracy in 1990. The country offers stunning natural beauty and opportunities for horse riding tours, but visitors should plan their trip carefully due to the country’s extreme climate. Flights and trains connect Mongolia to Beijing, Moscow, and Berlin.
Mongolia is a large country in East Asia. It covers 604,000 square miles (1,564,000 square km), making it somewhat smaller than the state of Alaska. It shares borders with both China and Russia.
Mongolia has been inhabited since the Stone Age, with nomadic tribes crossing the steppes. With the introduction of iron, Mongolia began to take on a more prominent role in some neighboring regions. The Mongols, who occasionally formed large groups of nomadic tribes, were therefore in a position to pose a threat, or at least a nuisance, to neighboring Chinese states.
In the 3rd century, the Mongol state of Xiongnu was formed, creating the first state in Mongolia. This kingdom eventually extended as far as the Great Wall of China, which was built to repel Mongol marauders like these. Seeing this as a threat, the Han dynasty in China invaded, but were repulsed and the Mongols pushed south into Han China, eventually forcing the Han emperor to submit to the Mongols, acknowledging their ownership of all lands north of the Wall and giving them tribute annually. The Xiongnu would later migrate west, reaching Europe in the 5th century and gaining infamy as the Huns of Atilla.
Various factions then came to power in Mongolia, expanding and consolidating their territory and conquering parts of northern China. Various Turkic groups rose to power over the next few centuries, culminating in the defeat of a Tang Chinese army of nearly 500,000 soldiers in the 8th century. Power then moved to the Uyghurs, then to the Kidan. The Kidan controlled a state that included most of modern Mongolia for more than two centuries, eventually falling to the Jurjen.
In the late 12th century a cunning chief named Tamujin used his military prowess and strength to unite all the Mongol tribes. He took the name Genghis Khan and conquered much of the known world, forming the largest empire in history. When he finally died, the Mongol empire split into four parts. The Great Khanate, founded by Kublai Khan, included Mongolia and China. By the end of the 14th century the Chinese had driven the Mongols out of China, destroyed much of the culture the Khans had reached, and sacked their capital, although the Mongols retained control of Mongolia.
For the next several centuries the Mongols occasionally raided China, usually for economic concessions. The 16th century saw a cultural renaissance, as well as widespread conversion of the country to Buddhism following an encounter between a ruler and the Dalai Lama. In the early 17th century the Manchus in China invaded and conquered large parts of Mongolia, consolidating their power and holding it until the 20th century, when, after the fall of the Qing dynasty, Mongolia reasserted its independence in 16th.
This independence was short-lived, however, and the Chinese retook the country in 1919. The newly formed Soviet Union came to their aid, however, it helped push the Chinese back and allowed Mongolia to again declare independence, albeit this time with close ties with Soviet Russia. Mongolia remained aligned with the Soviets for the next few decades, carrying out Stalinist purges and communist programs during World War II.
In 1990, following the democratization and liberalization of the Soviets, Mongolia began its path towards democracy. In 1992, a new constitution was ratified, which was pro-capitalist, authorized for free religion, and allowed for multiple parties. Since then the country has continued to open up to capitalism and has developed quite economically.
Mongolia is in many ways a wild country. From the stunning Gobi Desert, to the many nomadic families still living relatively traditional lifestyles across the country, the country offers plenty of scenic opportunities for visitors. Places like Tavanbogd National Park and the Four Sacred Peaks of Bayansurkh, Chingeltei, Songino Khairkhan and Tsetseegum are all highly touted for their natural beauty, but in reality wherever you go you’re likely to be wowed. Living with a host family is one of the best ways to travel to Mongolia, and there are a number of groups to help you do this. Horse riding tours across the steppes and the Gobi are also very popular, but it’s important to plan your trip during the right time of year, depending on what you want to do. What might be the ideal time to visit Ulan Bator to lose the cold might be the worst time to visit the Gobi, when the heat will be unbearable. In a country where climate plays such an important role, it’s important to plan the seasons carefully.
Flights to Ulan Bator arrive regularly from Berlin, Beijing and Moscow. You can also arrive by train from Beijing or Moscow on the Trans-Mongolian Railway, or travel overland from any of these countries, assuming you have the time and the weather is right.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
