This fabulous tour was with Get Your Guide: Genghis Khan Statue & Terelj National Park and included:
- Genghis Khan Statue Complex
- Camel Ride, Archery and Hunting Eagle Holding
- Terelj National Park’s Turtle Rock
- Hike to Aryabal Monastery
Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan is also called Chinggis Khan and he was the founder and first Khan of the Mongol Empire. Born in 1162 in the Khentii Mountains, Mongolia he died in 1227. Genghis Khan was undefeated in battle and modern Mongolians recognise him as the founding father of their nation.
Mongol leader Genghis Khan (1162-1227) rose from humble beginnings to establish the largest land empire in history. After uniting the nomadic tribes of the Mongolian plateau, he conquered huge chunks of central Asia and China. His descendants expanded the empire even further, advancing to such far-off places as Poland, Vietnam, Syria and Korea. At their peak, the Mongols controlled between 11 and 12 million contiguous square miles, an area about the size of Africa. Many people were slaughtered in the course of Genghis Khan’s invasions, but he also granted religious freedom to his subjects, abolished torture, encouraged trade and created the first international postal system. Genghis Khan died in 1227 during a military campaign against the Chinese kingdom of Xi Xia. His final resting place remains unknown.
~ History.com
Genghis Khan Statue Complex
The complex is 54 km outside of Ulaanbaater and is 212 hectares in size. The statue itself is 40 metres high and 30 metres in diameter. Visitors can walk to the head of the horse through the horse’s chest and neck. I walked up the 7 flights of stairs but there is an elevator available. The panoramic view is spectacular.
There is another statue of Genghis Khan’s mother.
The museum was most informative and this was due to our guide who has a knack for storytelling and explained quite a bit of history to us. I was fascinated.
Camel Ride, Archery and Hunting Eagle Holding
I held the eagle!
Visit with Nomad Family
We had a quick visit with a nomadic family and learned about their traditions. They shared horse milk, dried yogurt and bread and cream with us. It was very tasty. They raise and train horses moving locations about 3-4 times a year.
Lunch
This was delicious and served family style to our table ~ a mixture of sheep, goat and horse meat. The Mongolian beer was quit good and I sent a picture to my Dad!
Terelj National Park ~ Turtle Rock
Gorkhi-Terelj is one of Mongolia’s national parks with an alpine landscape and many rock formations. Turtle Rock (Melkhii Khad) is quite famous for the shape it resembles.
We climbed up and squeezed through some tight spaces but did it!
Hike to Aryabal Monastery
Aryabal Temple belongs to the Kalachakra sect of Buddhism, which was built in 1810’s by Mongolian and Tibetan artists and Buddhist monks from Manzushir monastery who came to this temple to meditate.
Aryabal is a Buddhist God who listens to all the prayers of humankind and releases humankind from suffering. It was built in the shape of an elephant’s head. The number 108 is an auspicious number in Buddhism. Therefore the stairs leading to the temple consist of 108 steps and symbolizes the elephant’s elongated trunk. Moreover, signs with 144 Buddhist teachings, written in English and Mongolian, lined the sides of the path to the temple.
A great day learning about Mongolia’s history and exploring!
Happy Travels!
A Journey Off The Beaten Path
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Jackie is “Mom” to one amazing son, an IT professional and an obsessed traveller. She spends her time reading, golfing at Ladies League and implementing software projects. Jackie has travelled to 7 continents, 5 oceans and 103 countries and she is always planning the next destination and adventure!