Yurts

The yurt, or ger in Mongolian, is a traditional circular tent used for centuries by nomadic peoples across Central Asia, including the Mongols, Kazakhs, and Kyrgyz. Originating thousands of years ago, the yurt’s design reflects both practicality and culture: its circular form resists wind, while the central crown (or toon) lets in light and smoke. Today, while many nomads still live in yurts, they also serve as cultural icons, preserved for tourism and recognised by UNESCO as part of the intangible cultural heritage of the Turkic and Mongolian peoples. The yurts we saw were used by nomads coming up into the mountains for the summer. These days, they have also installed portable stoves inside.