Videos to watch if you want to better understand Mongolia

Every country is perceived differently by foreigners and locals. As a Mongolian, I recommend following videos for a more general yet comprehensive view of Mongolian life. It presents Mongolia from various perspectives. This holistic approach helps viewers understand Mongolia's unique cultural, historical, and contemporary aspects, highlighting its beauty and challenges. There is no specific order of significance in this list of perspectives, each adding its value to the overall understanding of Mongolia.

1. MONGOLIA - by Coziestone

It's a breathtaking 3-minute video that captured the otherwordly landscapes of Mongolia. I had the chills watching this video. What a magnificent view! Thanks to the amazing skill of the videographer and director of this video. There are enough aerial videos of Mongolian landscapes on YouTube, but I chose this one because it's a fresh look by a Mongolian videographer. It truly shows the unseen beauty of Mongolian nature. I know, I also agree that some parts are giving a Dune vibe. It is almost the visual version of the great poet D. Natsagdorj's poem "My Lovely Land". The poem is a heartfelt ode to the beauty and majesty of Mongolia. The poem vividly describes Mongolia's vast steppes, towering mountains, and serene rivers and offers a window into the soul of Mongolians.

2. Aerial view of Ulaanbaatar (All in 4k)

Compared to the remote wilderness and steppe, Ulaanbaatar is a vibrant city with unique beauty and challenges. This drone view captured the lushness and calmness of summer in UB. Rather than heavily color-graded videos, this one looks real and natural. In summer, Ulaanbaatar looks exactly like this.

3. Urbanization crisis

Reflecting on Ulaanbaatar's reality, the South China Morning Post's article "Mongolians long for space in rapidly-urbanizing capital Ulaanbaatar" highlights the city's dual nature. While the city center is vibrant and charming, its outskirts tell a different story of chaos and struggle. It's ironic that Mongolia, known for its vast open spaces, sees its capital shrinking into a cement jungle. The centralization of economic and social infrastructure in Ulaanbaatar drives more migration, yet the city lacks proper urban planning and human-centered solutions.

3. Ger district struggle (Real Mongolia)

Winter is long and cruel in Mongolia. In the ger districts, it's a struggle to get through the winter without adequate infrastructures such as clean water, sewage system and heating. When temperatures plunge to -35°C in winter, heating their homes becomes a significant daily challenge for many residents. The culprit of coal-burning contributes to the severe issue of air pollution in Ulaanbaatar, emitting hazardous levels of particulate matter in the air. Many young families now tend to flee abroad for their children's health that also causing brain drain. Though there is a list of problems that is contributing to the brain drain, air pollution is a pressing one.

5. Mongolia: Rise and fall of an empire by DW Documentary

If you have a bit more time, this hour-long documentary offers fascinating insights into contemporary Mongolia. It explores the history of the Mongol Empire, its lasting legacy, and the transformations through the communist era and democratic revolution. The video provides a nuanced look at how Mongolia faces the challenges and dilemmas of preserving and adapting its nomadic culture in the modern world.

6. Travel vlog by Nicole and Mico

If you search for Mongolia on YouTube, you'll find an increasing number of travel vlogs. A few years ago, there wasn't much content about Mongolia, but that's changing. The Mongolian government is actively promoting tourism through influencer marketing, leading to many travelers creating videos, some incentivized by the government. I checked some of the vlogs and I really like this one about camping wild in the countryside by Nicole and Mico. Watching these travelers have amazing experiences free-camping, waking up with camels, and enjoying the best times of their lives made me realize that we Mongolians are incredibly fortunate. We have the luxury of this beautiful land and the freedom to enjoy it anytime. Shout out to Nicole and Mico for making this heartfelt video of their travel.