Whilst in New Zealand, they've been greeted by Maori leaders with the traditional 'Hongi' - by rubbing noses. But the 'Hongi' isn't the only unusual greeting used around the world.

Due to its remoteness and short summer season, Mongolia has long been a destination overlooked by travelers But as the country moves to further open up to tourism by easing its entry conditions for international visitors and upgrading its infrastructure, 2023 might just be the best time yet to get there.

Prices of flour and rice, among the basic staples Mongolia’s herders cannot produce themselves, have soared due to the war in Ukraine, with overall inflation running at an eye-watering 14.5 percent.

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia B.Battsetseg and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Wang Yi have held official talks and made a joint statement today. At the press conference, Minister B.Battsetseg said, “Within the framework of talks on Mongolia-China friendly relations and cooperation, the parties reviewed the cooperation between the two countries and discussed economic and border issues and regularization of the frequency of visits. The parties agreed to strengthen friendly relations and comprehensive strategic cooperation between the neighboring countries amid the pandemic and unstable international relations situation. Furthermore, the parties agreed to deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation between Mongolia and China in all sectors. Specifically, conditions are being created for the export of mining products in a stable period by connecting the border port with a railway and creating a new gateway.

Shitakiri Suzume - Toung-Cut Sparrow /Japan folktale/

There is a Mongolian myth about why the mouse came to symbolize the first sign of the Eastern zodiac. Long ago, a great competition amongst animals took place. Those who first saw the sunrise were to earn a prestigious title in the Zodiac. The little mouse wanted to participate too. But his competitors were large and strong. And there was no way he could win the race without some help. So, he asked the giant camel for support. The kind-hearted camel took pity on the tiny mouse and let him climb up on his hump. Together, they stood still in the dark, waiting patiently for the sun to rise. Gradually, the dawn brought a new day, and with it, a glimmering golden light that steadily began to hem the horizon. The quick little mouse sprang up on his hind legs, and then, perched on top of the camel’s hump, he saw the rays of the rising sun first. That is how, through the generosity of the noble camel, the mouse came to symbolize the first sign of the Eastern zodiac.

Mongolia is an amazing country to travel around in, due to its fantastic landscapes and total otherworldliness. Even in booming Ulaanbaatar, you’ll find that the city stands poised on the edge between East and West: Western-style restaurants next to traditional restaurants selling dumplings and soups; people wearing jeans and teeshirts walking beside people wearing the classic deel; taxi drivers listening music made on the morin khuur discussing American soap operas that they watch on TV…

Mongolian New Year or Tsagaan Sar is one of the most celebrated holiday among Mongolians. Tsagaan Sar means “White Moon” in Mongolian language and refers to the first day of the year, according to the Mongolian traditional lunisolar calendar when the new moon rises. Even the date changes every year, the Mongolian system of combining solar and lunar calendars keeps Tsagaan Sar always in the end of winter.

From immemorial time, the Mongols have been engaged in nomadic animal husbandry in the vast territory of Central Asia under harsh continental climate, and therefore their diet was strikingly different from their neighborhoods settled in agricultural society. Bread and corn were vital food among agricultural societies in Europe as well as rice in Asia. In the meantime, the Mongols sustained their lives based on the products of their domestic livestock that were classified into “red” meant meat food and “white” meant dairy food.

The World Association for Morin Khuur was established in 2008 and in the same year it has organized the first biannual International Festival-Competition of Morin Khuur. Since that time, more than 700 Morin khuur learners, teachers, researchers, bands from Mongolia, Russia, China, Japan, USA, Korea, Germany and France have participated in the following six festivals. The Morin khuur is more than just a musical instrument, but also an aggregation of the Mongolian traditional customs and culture. Nowadays, Morin Khuur is one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, identified by UNESCO.

Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO reported that Mongolia and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization will jointly celebrate the 800th anniversary of the establishment of the ancient Mongolian city of Karakorum.

When I set off to Mongolia in August, I both had a lot of expectations and none at the same time. How on earth did I manage that? Beautiful people, wide, empty landscapes, adorable horses, oh and yaks.

ABOUT ULAANBAATAR Ulaanbaatar is a magnificent city full of astounding history, and has an ambitious future with creative and unique artists, strong and powerful athletes, talented and honest businessmen, and educated and motivated young people. Just like any other metropolis around the world, Ulaanbaatar is a city full of different lifestyles, endless possibilities, fast-paced energy, rich cultures, interesting events, and unforgettable adentures.

Naadam or Three manly games festival is Mongolia’s ancient way of celebration which has been practiced till now. As noted in the book of Secret history of Mongolia of 13th century the celebration took place in Khuran month or July. In modern days, Naadam has been celebrated throughout the country every year on July 11-13 since the People’s revolution. It is a complex of horse racing, wrestling and archery games, and traditional arts such as folk art, knowledge and handcraft.

Cassie De Pecol recently became the youngest – and fastest – woman to travel to each of the world’s 196 countries. The 27-year-old also became the ultimate go-to source on unmissable destinations because she can say, with a certain level of authority most of us can’t, which countries truly are the best. With 196 countries to choose from, what are the “must sees” according to this seasoned globetrotter? De Pecol shares her top 10 countries around the world, some of which may surprise you!

Once a year, Mongolians from different provinces, tribes and religious beliefs gather at Lake Khövsgöl to celebrate their shared connection to nature.

To travel the Trans-Siberian Railway is a dream, lurking in the back of the minds of many of us. It is the longest railway line in the world, consisting of 9,288 kilometers, spanning 7 time zones and taking up a week to reach your final destination. This guide suggests the best stops to visit and the most beautiful things to see during your journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway. It is your choice either to see the picturesque mountains from the train compartment, or go out into wild Siberia and explore its unique and hospitable cities and towns.

Dr. Bill Frankland, a 106-year-old allergy expert, is one of the precious few still alive to remember Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin, as well as the warning that followed just eight years later. Franklin recalls, “Fleming said there would be a revolution, but doctors will overuse it, and because bacteria have to survive … they will become resistant to it.” Fleming’s predictions came true, and the link between antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic use is well established. Countries around the world are still coming to grips with ways of rationing such drugs to limit the development of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. But it’s not just wealthy Western countries overusing the technology. In fact, according to a World Health Organization survey of 65 countries …

A number of powerful women have shaped the course of history with their intelligence, strength, passion, and leadership qualities. They have challenged the status quo, made lasting reforms, and many have presided over their countries for decades, ushering in prosperity and cultural revolutions.

Fourteen months ago, Baigalmaa Norjmaa from Ulaangom, in northwestern Mongolia, began a 12,000km journey with Bactrian camels from her country’s capital of Ulaanbaatar to London, England. So far, her three-year traverse of Eurasia has taken her across the Mongolian steppe and China’s Xinjiang province to eastern Kazakhstan. ExplorersWeb checked in with Norjmaa about her project, which she calls Steppes to the West.