Start here · Essential guide
A Short History of Mongolia
A plain-language timeline of Mongolia, from early steppe peoples and the Mongol Empire through Qing rule, the socialist century and the modern democratic state.
People and Culture
History and Heritage
From early steppe peoples to the Mongol Empire and modern Mongolia.
Buddhism and Monasteries in Mongolia
How Tibetan-style Buddhism took root in Mongolia, how it was suppressed in the twentieth century, how it revived, and what to know before visiting a monastery.
Genghis Khan: Who He Was and Why He Matters
A balanced account of Genghis Khan: his rise from Temujin to ruler of the Mongols, his legacy beyond Mongolia, and how he is remembered in Mongolia today.
Karakorum: The Mongol Capital
What is known about Karakorum, the Mongol Empire's capital in the Orkhon area, and what visitors can see at Kharkhorin and Erdene Zuu monastery today.
Mongolia in the Twentieth Century
How Mongolia moved from Qing rule to independence, lived through the socialist era, and shifted peacefully to a multiparty system in the early 1990s.
The Mongol Empire in Brief
A short, careful outline of how the Mongol Empire grew in the thirteenth century, how large it was in general terms, and how it divided into separate khanates.
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Nomadic Culture Herding life, the ger and the customs of the steppe. Food and Drink Traditional dishes, dairy, tea and meals as guests. Festivals and Traditions Naadam, the Lunar New Year, music, art and spiritual life. Traditional Crafts and Arts Handmade objects, music, clothing and artistic traditions. Steppe Peoples and Dynasties Peoples, states and turning points before and after the Mongol Empire. Language and Everyday Life How people speak, live, work and celebrate day to day. Traditional Sports and Games Wrestling, archery, horse racing and the games families play.