Life on the Move
Preserving the Mongolian identity through art and culture in the modern age.
It was well past midnight by the time the two art students made it back to camp. Hours before, Baatarzorig Batjargal and Nomin Bold were separated from the rest of their class during a field trip to Ikh Bogd, the highest mountain in Gobi Altai range in southwestern Mongolia.
As they were trying to find the rest of the group, Batjargal and his now-wife came across a ger-dwelling family who took them in and fed them before guiding them back to reunite with their classmates. “In nature, you are so little”, he says, but it’s the memories of the generosity and giving nature of the nomadic family who took them in that stick out in his mind.
Art Imitating Life
Today, Batjargal is an accomplished painter whose works have been exhibited internationally in Europe, China, and Australia. Through his colorful paintings, which feature an eclectic cast of characters including animals, pop icons, historical and religious figures, Batjargal explores the loss of Mongolian cultural heritage to the lures of a free market economy, drawing from Mongol Zurag painting techniques to blend traditional and contemporary styles.
Characterized by ultra-fine brushwork and a flattened perspective influenced by Tibetan Buddhist tangka paintings, Mongol Zurag was first established in the late 1990s as a subject at the Mongolian University of Arts and Culture—Batjargal’s alma mater—as the country sought to reclaim its national identity.
“Mongol Zurak is a very wide-angle way of looking at things on one flat surface on which time, myths, legends, the past, present, and future, can all be layered.
Baatarzorig Batjargal
The artistic style has since found popularity amongst a new generation of artists to address the contradictions of life amid competing cultural and ideological influences.
“Mongol Zurak is a very wide-angle way of looking at things on one flat surface on which time, myths, legends, the past, present, and future, can all be layered.
Baatarzorig Batjargal
In recent years, he has been fascinated by the Silk Road, in particular the cultural affinity threaded through food, religion, and clothing found along the ancient trade route. It’s this same interwoven tangle of cultures, often contradictory, that he explores in his artwork, for example a Buddhist deity with Mickey Mouse ears to beg the question: “Where is the center of global peace?”
A Journey Through Mongolia
4WD & Motorcycle Expeditions
Discover the untamed beauty of the steppes’ vast, open plains, journeying through grasslands and rolling hills to experience the nomadic way of life.
Dukha Tribe Seasonal Camps
Ride a reindeer and learn more about the centuries-old traditions and connection with nature of the nomadic reindeer herders, also known as the Tsaatan.
Ride a Camel
Trek through the Gobi Desert on the back of a two-humped Bactrian camel through dramatic scenery and endless sand dunes.
Horseback Archery
Connect with the equestrian heritage of Mongolia and explore the ancient sport of mounted archery still taught to children as young as three years old.
Skiing
Carve your way through snow-covered mountains including Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, Sky Resort in Ulaanbaatar, and the Altai Mountains.
Khoton Nuur Lake
Pristine lake in the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, where crystal-clear waters offer a serene setting for boating, fishing, and connecting with nature.
Bogd Khan Mountain
Discover the ecological wonders in this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and hike through its lush forests and alpine meadows.
Bayanzag
Also known as the Flaming Cliffs for its red sandstone formations, the ‘Cemetery of Dinosaurs’ is so named for the fossilized remains found here that paint a vivid picture of Mongolia’s prehistoric past.
Khongor Sand Dunes
Stretching for 100 km, the “Singing Dunes” are so named for the sounds they produce when the wind whistles over their crest. Climb up the dunes to enjoy views of the ever-shifting landscape of the Gobi Desert.
Hiking & Trekking
From UNESCO World Heritage-listed valleys to glacier-capped mountains and vast steppe terrain, Mongolia’s diverse landscape offers hiking and trekking opportunities for various skill levels.
Great Burkhan Khaldun Mountain
Designated part of the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area, Burkhan Khaldun is considered one of Mongolia’s most sacred mountains and is believed to be both the birthplace, and burial ground, of Genghis Khan.
Petroglyphic Complexes of the Mongolian Altai
This petroglyph collection is a UNESCO World Heritage site and represents one of the best-preserved visual records found in Central and North Asia, displaying human history and culture over 12,000 years.
Stay in a Ger
Experience the traditional way of life with a stay in a Ger, a circular tent designed to remain cool and airy in the summer, yet extremely well insulated during Mongolia’s cold winters.
Kharakorum
Visit Kharakorum for a glimpse at the ancient Mongol Empire's history and explore the ruins of the empire’s former capital that was once an important stop along the former Silk Road.
Erdene Zuu Monastery
Believed to be the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, the ancient temple complex was founded in 1586 and is now part of the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site.
Elsen Tasarkhai
Known as ‘Little Gobi,’ this 50-mile (80 km) stretch of golden sand dunes is just a 4-hour drive from Ulaanbaatar, making it accessible for visitors short on time who still want to experience the Mongolian desert.
National History Museum of Mongolia
Explore Mongolia's rich history, culture, and heritage at the National Museum, where you can discover ancient artifacts, nomadic traditions, and Genghis Khan's legacy with a captivating journey through time.
Gandan Monastery
This monastery’s full name—Gandantegchinlen—translates as ‘the great place of complete joy.’ With over 100 resident monks, it is considered the center of Buddhism in Mongolia.
Genghis Khan Statue Complex
Climb the inside of this 141-foot-tall (40 m) statue for panoramic views of the Mongolian countryside and visit the attached museum for exhibitions relating to Bronze Age cultures in Mongolia.
Fly-fishing
Head for Mongolia’s remote wilderness to fly-fish with a licensed professional guide in designated rivers to catch taimen, the world’s largest salmonid that can grow up to 4.9 ft (1.5 m) long.
The Mongol Identity
At its peak, the Mongol Empire comprised nomadic tribes unified under the rule of Genghis Khan, stretching from modern day Eastern Europe to Southern China. In 1960, almost two-thirds of the population, most of them nomadic herders, lived in the countryside. This number has been dwindling in recent decades, and in the face of global warming, nomads, with their unique ability to thrive in extreme climates, offer a glimpse of living in tune with the environment, serving as an example of a true sustainable lifestyle.
“I have this inner part of me that is inextricably linked to my nomadic past, to me being a true Mongol.
Baatarzorig Batjargal
Crediting his late maternal grandmother for nurturing his love for his culture, he reveals that his future works will pay homage to Mongolian women, showcasing their influential role in passing on the nomadic lifestyle to the younger generations.
By integrating his heritage into his art, Batjargal beautifully illustrates the relationship between personal inspiration drawn from culture and the role of art in defining social identity. “In Mongolia, our policy aims to foster the significance of culture and art in individual, social, and economic progress by combining our unique national culture with modern artistic expression and supporting creativity,” says Nomin Chinbat, Minister of Culture. As part of Mongolia’s Vision 2050 roadmap to become a leading Asian country while respecting its heritage, the government aims to create a national identity and increase Mongolia’s global profile, such as with museum exhibitions in Europe.
The long-term development policy also lays the groundwork for the development policy of the country’s creative industry, including in cinematography, visual arts, music, literature, fashion, and digital content development. The growth of the cultural and creative industry sectors, says Minister Chinbat, is expected to stabilize the economy, create jobs, and maximize the economic and social benefits that the Mongolian culture can deliver.
“Vision 2050 and The New Recovery Policy represent a $49 billion investment opportunity in our country.
Nomin Chinbat Minister of Culture, Government of Mongolia
Major Festivals
in Mongolia
Naadam Festival
The annual festival celebrates the nomadic culture of Mongolia, focusing on horseracing, wrestling, and archery. The biggest event, the National Naadam Festival, is held in July in Ulaanbaatar.
Nomads World
Cultural Festival
Held annually in August across all 21 provinces of Mongolia, the annual festival celebrates the ancestral traditions of Mongolia, including wrestling, horse racing, and archery, as well as other cultural performances.
Playtime Music Festival
Every summer in July, over 100 local and international artists take to 10 stages in Mongolia’s largest music festival which takes place in Gachuurt Village near Ulaanbaatar.
A Natural Connection
While Batjargal mostly travels to exhibit his work internationally, when he does have time, he travels locally, particularly to the Gobi Desert, imbibing inspiration from its vast, beautiful yet barren nature.
“The Gobi doesn’t have a lot of elements, and I feel humbled by the vastness of nature. This space lets you meet yourself, your memories, and your thoughts.
Baatarzorig Batjargal
Another of his favorite places is Khamriin Khiid, a monastery believed to be one of the entrances to Shambala, and where Batjargal believes visitors can absorb pure energy from nature. At the nearby Khanbayanzurkh, the Mountain of Wishes, he adds, dreams whispered into the side of the mountain are granted by nature.
In addition to exploring Mongolia’s natural beauty, Batjargal recommends visitors experience a taste of the culture by living in a ger close to nature, visiting museums in Ulaanbaatar, trying out the local cuisine including a fermented mare’s milk drink called airag, and experiencing traditional festivals such as Naadam. “For the past 30 years, Western culture has been attractive, and before that Russian and Chinese,” he says.
“I hope that we are coming to a point where we find our own Mongolian culture attractive and are able to preserve it.
Baatarzorig Batjargal
It's Time to
Go Mongolia
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