Part 1 of the trip: Ulaanbaatar and Töv
Traveling to Mongolia. Departure from Airport Frankfurt/Main, Germany. Check-in takes a bit longer today, since several Mongolian families returning home attempt to check in a greater deal of stuff. The flight goes against the clock, so it becomes dark soon, and we will arrive in the dawn. We are traveling with Mongolian Airlines.
Ulaanbaatar. We have a short walk in the city on the first day, going to the Museum of Mongolian History, the Bogd Khan Palace, and to the Zaisan monument where we have a great view over the city. Back in downtown Ulaanbaatar, we visit the central Süchbaatar place, where Genghis Khan reclines majestically on his throne at the northern end. In the evening we watch a Mongolian theater performance. No photographs are allowed there, and the staff eagerly watches you and shoots at you with green laser pointers, should you dare to raise a camera or smartphone.
Next day, we visit the Gandan monastery (Gandantegchinlen Khiid), with the certainly most impressive, golden statue of Janraisig, taller than 26 meters. After that, our journey begins, and we head towards the wild west.
Töv. This is the aimag (province) around Ulaanbaatar; its name simply means "center". On our way we encounter one of the most famous landmarks of Mongolia, an Ovoo (stone heap), as the first one on our trip. In the afternoon we arrive at the Khustain Nuruu National Park and move into our first yurts. Later, we meet Przewalski horses (Takhi) in the area.
Next morning, we already leave the camp and proceed westbound.
Public picture set
