Beyond your Lonely Planet, Fodor’s, or other travel guidebooks you might want to spend some time reading, listening, or watching various media about Mongolia. Part of the fun, for me, in travel is the research, planning, and anticipation that precedes the actual trip. This list is not exhaustive! There are plenty of resources out there, these are simply some that I can personally recommend.
Khoomei or Throat singing is one of the most representative traditional arts of Mongolia. Khoomei was originated when people started imitating the voice of nature and animals many thousand years ago, and around 19th century, Khoomei was first developed as an art. Mongolian throat singing was registered in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, as an art native to Mongolia in 2010. At its meeting in Nairobi, the UNESCO Council inscribed Mongolian Khoomii in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of mankind.
They can ride like the wind but the galloping hooves of time threatened to dilute, perhaps obliterate, their nomadic traditions. Meta Mertens calls it her horse heaven…the sweeping plains of Mongolia, where she is proud to play a part maintaining centuries of equine history. She has witnessed the country's primary nomadic lifestyle resist a drift into the cities for work.
Mongolia celebrates many festivals and celebrations throughout the year, and one of the most important of them is Naadam festival which is held in summer months all over the country. While the national celebration of Naadam is held on 11th and 12th of July every year in the central stadium, each province and soum (equivalent to villages) also organize their own local Naadam festival throughout summer months, mostly in July and August. Given its importance and unique celebrations, Naadam was registered in Unesco`s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010.
Hustai Nuruu National park is a gem in the outdoor spaces of Mongolia. It’s a National Park especially established to preserve the last wild horse on earth – the Przewalski’s Horse. In setting aside land for these animals, the park is an oasis of natural life. While the open spaces surrounding Ulaanbaatar are usually free of obstructions, wildlife has concentrated and flourished in Hustai Nuruu under the watchful protection of the caretakers of the land.
Mr. Narkhuu Tulga became Mongolia’s ambassador to the UK in Jun 2013; presented his Letters of Credence in traditional dress including his dazzling deel in royal blue – a traditional Mongolian double-breasted overcoat – was complemented by a matching hat and leather boots when he met the Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace on 13th November 2013. A Queen of United Kingdom said “How do you do… have you come far?” The Queen is used to being the most stylish person in the room. But when she met the Mongolian ambassador, she may have felt a little under-dressed.
After 1990s Mongolia has been expanding its foreign relationships and currently Mongolia has diplomatic relationship with 184 countries. As a result 21 counties residents are visa free to enter Mongolia such as USA, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Israel, Japan, Turkey, Philippines, Russia, Serbia and Thailand.
Chengdu is one of the biggest cities of China after Shanghai and Beijing with 16 million population and everyone knows that the city is famous with its’ cute Giant Pandas. We landed in Chengdu first time in the late evening of Sep 13 to participate next annual PATA trade mart. First impression was great, it looks like a big and modern. The next thing is to find our bus provided by PATA to pick up us at the airport and anyway, we found and met with friendly volunteers and they helped us to get to bus. ...
Ulaanbaatar is a cool city. There’s so much to do – nightclubs to go to, museums to see, hushuur to eat, and even more. Sometimes though, you might need a break from the traffic and crowded streets. If you’re looking for a trip outside of UB and are a fan of nature, art, or Buddhism, this monastery is right up your alley. The pine trees, river, and hills that protect the monastery are an easy hour drive from urban Ulaanbaatar, and offers a nice place to recuperate after the bustle of the city.
Selena Travel LLC has won in the Best for Conservation of Cultural Heritage category at this year's Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards organised by responsibletravel.com. At a ceremony hosted at World Travel Market (WTM), Docklands, London, on Wednesday 11th November, the Awards were handed out by Justin Francis, managing director of responsibletravel.com, organisers and founders of the Awards, and Amanda Wills, managing director of Virgin Holidays, headline sponsor of the Awards.
11 20, 2011
