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Mongolia – The Remote Land of Nomads and Attractions

admin — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:05:12 +0000

Mongolia is the nation among the lowest population densities in the world. Although an outlying and a trivial holiday destination, it mesmerizes the tourists and travelers with its different natural, historic, and cultural sites – countryside, flora and fauna, and spiritual monuments. Talking about its landscape, it is incredibly varied and ranges from the extensive zones of wilds, lakes, mountains, and desert that provides different opportunities for varied adventures as a thrilling experience to the sports fans. Some of the most popular activities include jeep tours, horse riding, camel riding, mountain biking, and bird watching.

In the outskirts and in far away areas from the key cities, you will be able to trace the real traditional life of malchin (herdsmen) along with the presence of many nomads. Since majority of them are nomads, you will able to notice camel as their principal transportation medium and handy canvas tents (gers) as their houses. The 21st century nomadic standard of living in Mongolia would actually make you remind of Ghengis Khan who is the most popular Mongol.

The rural areas are still developing with current infrastructure being poor, while on the other hand, the capital Ulaanbaatar is undergoing a rapid conversion of providing a contemporary outlook with intercontinental hotels, opulent restaurants, shopping arcades, and glass tower blocks. In fact, this rich aroma of the modern world can be even seen among nomads who are familiar with the mobile phones and the Internet in spite of the being rural regions. In a nutshell, you will feel in your country even with the traditions of this nation here.

Mongolia Tourist Attractions

Monasteries:
Offering many such active monuments, the nation has revitalized the religion of Buddhism after obtaining freedom for communist mistreatment. The attractive monasteries are Erdene Zuu located close to Kharkhorin, Amarbayasgalant lying between Darkhan and Erdenet, and Gandan at the capital city.
Naadams:
This is a special nomadic sport show that includes horseracing, wrestling, and archery. The attraction during this time is to watch these inhabitants soaked in their jovial outfit and actively participating in their customary sport actions. Although these naadams clearly take place throughout the different parts of the country, the largest naadam occurs at the capital – Ulaanbaatar.
Ghengis Khan’s Birthplace:
Situated in the northern part of Khentii Aimag, this land marks the childhood days of Ghengis Khan. Marking the last tent by the great warrior approximately 800 years ago, this is the land of stunning lakes, undulating mountains, and tidy streams; which has preserved its maximum originality even today.
Museums:
Offering some amazing museums, the capital offers the Zanabazar Museum exhibiting the Buddhist Fine Art, the National History Museum displaying the Mongolian traditions, and the Natural History Museum showing dinosaur carcass. Apart from the state capital, the regional capitals also offer worth visiting museums.

Gobi Desert:
Surprisingly, this desert is not completely harsh as other deserts. You will be amazed to view mountains, lakes, sand dunes along with one or two oasis. Attractions for the tourists here are looking for dinosaur remains, enjoying on a camel trek, and hiking along the icy gorge of Yolyn Am.
Watching Wildlife:
For those who like to spend time in watching the animals, hunt for the gazelle jumping on the grasslands, marmots bustling over the rocks, and the argali sheep hovering on the mountains. More tough is to find a wolf, snow leopards, and bears; but nevertheless try out your luck by holding your binoculars intact.
Camping:
The land of Mongolia without any barriers is ideal for tent camping and it could be in anywhere part of the country of your wish. To name a few ideal sites for camping are Khovsgol National Park, Terelj National Park, and Tavan Bogd National Park. There are two options – go for car camping or hike between camping sites.
Horse Riding:
Horse being the principal medium of transportation in rural regions, people are well versed with the art of horse riding. You have two options – either enroll with a tour company for a horse ride or arrange for an own horse journey. If you want to learn in detail before the ride, hunt for steppe riders who conduct preliminary lessons on horse riding.
Hiking and Trekking:
Hiking has a good scope in the country due to wild landscapes and rocky territory. However, do plan for this seriously and with guidance as there are less number of tracks marked for this activity. Some of the recommended hiking sites are Bogd Khan Uul, Tavan Bogd National Park, and Otgontenger Uul.

Bird Watching:
Offering you 429 different bird species, the nation invites visitors with a good pair of binoculars for looking out for falcons, eagles, vultures, swans, cranes, and many more to the list. Some of the ideal sites for nature lovers include besides the lakes in western Mongolia – Uvs Nuur or Khar Us Nuur.

Traditional Stay:
To really feel the life of the people here, spend some time to stay with a nomad family that will be full of stunning experiences or set up a night in a ger (yurt). Doing this will make you explore the taste of the local food, horse riding, and sheep herding. At the end, do not forget to thank the nomads with a gift.
Cross-country Skiing:
In the country, the extensive steppes are adorned with bountiful snow in winter that is very much conducive for cross-country skiing. The Terelj National Park that offers ger camps even in the winter months is an ideal place to start this adventurous activity. However, do carry your own equipment.

Finland – A Land of Maximum Islands and Trees More than People

admin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:18:49 +0000

Finland, a Nordic country in the northern Europe, is an innate wonder and land of admiration. The nation holds first rank in the world for its maximum number of islands. One will just wonder at these figures – 30,000 islands off the Finnish shore, 98,000 among its 1,88,000 home lakes, and the Saimaa Lake system in the southeast – the largest inland water system of Europe. This waterlogged land of the Finns is edged by the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland and its 10% is underwater.

Enclosed by Sweden on its west, Norway on north, and Russia to the east, the state holds trees that in count are far more than its population. The 69% of the northern coniferous region itself is occupied by the pine forests, while the south and southwest are covered pine, fir, and birch. In Lapland to its far north, the spread dwarf birches take you to the Arctic tundra. Being managed from a long time, the national forests offer timber that is required for furniture, paper, fibreboards, domestic heating, and warming 1.6 million saunas.

If on one side the nation provides amazing opportunities for trekkers, mountain-bikers, cross-country skiers, and water sports enthusiasts; on the other hand, 35 national parks scattered 8,000 sq. km. offer spot birds, reindeer, elks, and bears. Finland is famous for its technological innovations, the renowned one being Nokia.

Finland Tourist Attractions

Helsinki:
This is the capital of Finland that offers parks, forests, and water. For the historians, its marvelous architecture exhibits its Russian and Swedish events and contemporary structures are the gift of Finnish designers. It attracts tourists with its splendid museums, better quality shopping, and the Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress listed as the World Heritage site.

Turku:
This is the most ancient town that stands across the Aland Sea in Sweden. Attractions here are its medieval fortress, cathedral, several captivating museums, and a boat trip in night along the Aurajoki River.
Lakeland:
Known as the Heart of Finland, this is an adventurous site for swimmers, canoeists, and boating. It is also famous for its serene tranquility of sunsets.
Karelia:
This district offers Orthodox Christian culture, conventional villages, and religious festivals whose origin dates back to centuries. The region is divided by the Russian border and is also the spiritual site of the Kalevala – an epic Finnish poem.
Aland Islands:
This is the region that is adjacent to Sweden culturally and geographically, this offers a pleasing sea legacy, oldest churches, and cycling and water sports in summers.
Jyvaskyla:
This is an attractive Lakeland university offering buildings belonging to the proud 20th century architecture – Alvar Aalto. Further, Jyvaskyla has also hosted the recent World Rally Championship.
Savonlinna:
After exploring the opportunities for camping, bird watching, and water sports on its forests and lakes, do visit its medieval fortress and its summer opera festival in July.

Lapland:
This is the Arctic North that is famous for its overwhelming wilderness, Sami culture, three amazing national parks, and some 3,00,000 reindeer.
Inari:
This is a miniature hamlet and capital of Sami culture in Lapland. This offers the eye-catching Siida museum of Sami culture and the wilderness church where reindeer herders meet. For trekkers and gold panners, the close by Lemmonjoki National Park is ideal and is the largest in the nation.
Rovaniemi:
A region to access Lapland, this is a place for children where sites are themed on the Santa Claus. Do visit the Rovaniemi’s Arktikum where you can become familiar with the ecology and anthropology of the Arctic region and explore the iced-up life of Lapland.
Kuopio:
This is famous for its outdoor activities in the lakes and forests, particularly, ski jumping and cross-country skiers in the winter trails at Puijo Hill.
Kilpisjarvi:
Lying between Sweden and Norway, just trek from this hamlet to reach the Saana or Haltia Fell – the highest peak that offers a stunning scene covering the three countries.
Pohjanmaa:
Located along the west coast near Vaasa, this area is also known as Ostrobothnia. Attractions here are long beaches, forested islands with elks, and pretty wooden villages such as Jakobstad and Kristinestad.
Oulu:
This is among the most captivating cities in Finland during summers where you are invited by the stalls full of wild berries and seasonal items. Do not forget to visit the Hailuoto Island that is situated offshore as the home of birds.
Trekking:
Do take your hiking boots and use them on one of finest trekking routes particularly interesting in Lapland. Do so in early autumn when trees and vegetation sprung up exhibiting multiple colors for the Ruska season.
Skiing:
The most thrilling time for this sport is during the icy winters when cross-country skiing is what one can look for. Offering many tracks throughout its area, Finland also has tracks in its national parks. For downhill skiing and snowboarding, access the hills of Lapland.
Water Sports:
These include water-skiing, jet skiing, and sailing on the superb more than 1000 lakes of the Lakeland region. Skiing is both memorable on snow and waters. All facilities are provided by several holiday cottages and outdoor centres.
Dog Sledding:
This is famous in the traditional and snowy Arctic region and its several centres exist in Lapland along with Harriniva. The first Arctic Barents Race will occur through Russia, Finland, Sweden, and Norway in 2010.
Saunas:
Lighten yourself in a typical steamy sauna experience in hotels and holiday cottages. The most famous ones are offered by the Kotiharjun public sauna in Helsinki’s Kallio district and the Jätkänkämppä smoke sauna in periphery of Kuopio.
Polar Night Lights:
Referring to the captivating Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), these rays reach until skies and make you feel as there is some light show going on in the sky. This occurs at the polar night (kaamos) – November to May.
Midsummer:
This is the time when sun seems to never go down the horizon and during which the region enjoys 24-hour daylight. Thousands of native people flock to their mokkit (summer cottages) to make holiday in outdoors.
Festivals:
In Oulu, air-guitarists participate in strange rock mimes, while in the Wife-Carrying World Championships in Sonkajarvi, husbands pull their wives. In Naantali, every 27th July observed as the Sleepyhead Day, the laziest inhabitant is thrown into the sea.
Canoeing and Rafting:
This is possible due to lakes and rivers. Best sites are Saimaa, Lake Oulujarvi, and Lake Inari for paddlers, while for white-water rafting; sites are Kukkolankoski rapids and Oulanka National Park.

Design Tours:
Finland is world wide popular for its designer tours of Helsinki, architectural tours, jewelry, ceramics, glassware, and traditional wooden structures tours too.