Mongolia, for me, exemplifies the adage ‘quality not quantity’. It offers relatively few architectural sights compared to its South East Asian rivals yet Mongolia’s rich culture extends far beyond its beautiful Buddhist temples, from the lengthy nomadic greetings to a game of sheep bones revealing much of the preoccupations of the national psyche. Admittedly my own preconceptions of Mongolia were of the Orientalist variety that would have made Edward Said balk, and my journey there was hopelessly romantic - across the Gobi Desert abroad the Trans-Mongolian. Perhaps I had a particularly auspicious start to my time there, but I’d hedge bets anyone arriving my plane would fall in love in this beautiful, heartwarming country. Mongolia is an adventure travellers’ playground, whether seeking the thrill of a ride on a Przewalski horse (albeit perhaps only thrilling for
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