Inner Mongolia in Autumn

A mere mention of Mongolia reminds me of the great conqueror of the country, Genghis Khan. It’s an exotic and mesmerizing country to visit and instantly I agreed to venture out with my photography friends, the Kelab Shashin Photography members.

Our journeys through Inner Mongolia are rather adventurous as we will arrive just before sun set at some remote village somewhere every night. Though we do have a guide, we were never sure where we will end up for the night until we arrive.

Its autumn, so the temperature can dip to freezing cold during the night or even in the day as weather can be unpredictable, so keeping warm with winter wear is a must.

Day 1 Erguna in Autumn

Our journey begins from Hailar-er, as we pass through beautiful grassland that stretches on as far as eye can see. Empty vast grassland with hay stacks ready to be collected before the winter arrives. A place that’s so peaceful as horses, cows and sheep grazes on unperturbed in this beautiful pasture, totally obscure of our intruding lenses.

As mysteriously as they appear the Bactrian camels of Mongolia were quickly lead away by the owner. The camels were extremely handsome creatures as it strode towards us, towering over all the horses around them.

Soon we had to say goodbyes, as the cowboy started to herd his flocks away and the horses obediently strode homeward bound..

By noon, we had a rather quaint experience at a ‘diner’ frequent by locals and truckers. We were served a meal of lamb ribs which were delicious, or maybe we were hungry..

"The merit of an action lies in
finishing it to the end."

Genghis Khan

'The Mongolians lived along the east bank of the Erguna River in central Inner Mongolia for great many years. It's only in the seventh century that they began to migrate to greener grassland in the west. By the twelfth century, they settled along the upper region of Onon River, Kerulen River and Tola River which are located at the east of the Kente Mountain.

They have a great tribal leader, Temujin, a powerful man that comman great loyalty from his army. He conquered and set up the Mongol empire and took the title of Genghis Khan. Throughout 1211 to 1215, Genghis Khan expanded his territory to Central Asia and Southern part of Russia.

His successor, the great Kublai Khan (grandson of Genghis Khan) became the fifth supreme Khan and founder of the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368). Kublai destroyed the Southern Song Dynasty in 1279 and made China as the capital of his massive empire. In 1368, the Yuan Dynasty collapsed and the Mongols suffered from great conflict for many years.

"The strength of a wall is neither
greater nor less than the courage of
the men who defend it."

Genghis Khan