In the heart of Mongolia’s harsh winter, where temperatures can plummet below minus 40 degrees Celsius, a vibrant festival celebrating nomadic culture brought life and color to the icy landscape of Ulaanbaatar. Designed to boost tourism during the country’s bitterly cold season, the week-long event transformed a frigid park on the outskirts of the world’s coldest capital into a hub of tradition and festivity.
Despite the cold, visitors were met with a lively atmosphere. Towering ice sculptures glittered in the sunlight, while a sharp wind swept across the grounds, encouraging people to seek warmth inside round yurt tents that showcased the diversity of Mongolia’s provinces. For many locals, the festival served as a nostalgic reminder of their heritage. “It’s a nice way of reminding us that our culture is so rich,” shared Darkhan Altantsetseg, a resident of Ulaanbaatar.
The festival grounds were alive with activities rooted in Mongolia’s nomadic past. Children raced across frozen tracks on fur-lined sledges and slid down ice slides, while camels and reindeer wandered the grounds, drawing attention from fascinated visitors. Traditional skills were also on display, with archers and eagle hunters showcasing their talents. One highlight was the ancient game of shagai ice shooting, where participants aimed pucks to strike animal bones across the ice. Altantsetseg shared her joy as her husband won gold in a competition for older participants.
Inside the yurts, cultural immersion continued with music and hospitality. Ethnic Kazakh musicians from Bayan Olgii province performed traditional songs while serving visitors milk tea. The yurts themselves impressed many for their intricate decorations and absence of central columns, a distinctive architectural feature that surprised urban visitors.
With the Mongolian Lunar New Year, or Tsagaan Sar, approaching, yurts were also set up with traditional festive spreads, featuring roasted sheep and towering biscuit displays. Elderly women, dressed in colorful robes and red hats, handed out airag—fermented mare’s milk—and delighted the crowd with playful dances.
For many, especially urban families, the festival was a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with Mongolia’s rich nomadic heritage. Byambasure, an agroeconomist, brought his daughters to expose them to the traditions they rarely experience in the capital. This celebration offered both locals and visitors a vivid reminder of Mongolia’s enduring cultural legacy amidst the winter chill.
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