Mongolia is the land of endless sky, of vast horizons of steppe and desert bordered by remote, pristine mountain ranges. Famous for its scenery, Mongolia is a dream for the outdoor adventurer and a warm, welcoming destination for all travelers. The land of Genghis and Kublai Khan, the Mongolian Empire extended as far as east as Korea, south to Vietnam and west to Hungary. Rarely accessible to the outside world until recently, travelers are discovering the gifts of this amazing country; unparalleled star gazing, horseback and camel riding, fossil hunting and overnights in traditional gers in a land of rosy-cheeked smiles! Even Marco Polo was at a loss for words to describe all he'd seen there. Karakorum was the ancient capitol of the empire and is famous for relics of its glorious past. Its name literally means "capital of the world". The oldest surviving monastery there Erdene Zuu dates from 1586 with 102 stupas and nearby a large stone turtle remains as one of the original cornerstones of the old city. Now an oasis between China and Russia, Mongolia has one of the sparsest population densities in the world and a culture dominated by Tibetan Buddhism and the life of the nomad. All visits to Mongolia start in the capital city of Ulaan Baatar. In the valley of the Tuul River it houses a third of the nation's population and tradition thrives amongst Soviet-era architecture and suburbs of gers (yurts). Tuts –small independently owned street kiosks line the streets, milk is sold out of old-fashioned farm cans and devotees spin Buddhist prayer wheels in the temples. Visit imposing Sukhbaatar Square, the gold-plated Buddha of Gandan Monastery and the panoramic views from Zaisan Hill Memorial. Bogd Khan Palace Museum was the winter residence of the last monarch while the Museum of Natural History boasts dinosaur skeletons from the Gobi Desert. Shop for luxury cashmere, silk and wool clothing, rugs and handmade felt boots in the shops, stalls and State Department Store of the city Ulaan Baatar is surrounded by lush green pastures where it feels as if you've stepped into another century – the slower pace of the nomadic lifestyle. Mongolian culture is closely tied to livestock; meat and dairy being the predominant staples, while felt, wool and fabulous cashmere are produced everywhere. Meat filled dumplings or soups and stews with rice and noodles fill the air with inviting fragrance. The… More