Called the « Blue Pearl » because of its water purity, the Khövsgöl lake (in mongolian : ᠺᠥᠪᠰᠦᠭᠦᠯ) is a sacred place for the local people, which they call « Mother ». The below pictures were taken at summer time, during a several weeks horse ride on the lakeside. More than a view on the lake, these photos show also the local inhabitants met during this trip.
Mongolia Paper
Mongolia is a land of endless horizons. Covering an area nearly three times the size of France while home to only about three and a half million people, it is one of the least densely populated countries on Earth. From the vast grasslands to the Altai Mountains, from the Gobi Desert to the crystal-clear waters of Lake Khövsgöl, the landscapes seem to stretch endlessly toward the horizon.
These immense open spaces have shaped a unique way of life: nomadism. Even today, hundreds of thousands of Mongolians move with the seasons, guiding their herds across the steppes in search of fresh pasture. Their traditional home, the ger (often called a yurt in the West), can be dismantled in just a few hours before being rebuilt elsewhere. This mobility has remained at the heart of Mongolian culture for centuries.
The horse holds a special place in Mongolian society. Introduced to children from an early age, it is far more than a means of transport—it is a companion and a symbol of national identity. Descendants of Genghis Khan’s legendary horsemen, Mongolians have preserved an exceptional bond with these animals.
Mongolia is also home to remarkably diverse natural environments. In the south, the Gobi Desert combines vast sand dunes, red cliffs and rocky plains where wildlife has adapted to some of the harshest conditions on Earth. In the north lies Lake Khövsgöl, often referred to as the “younger brother of Lake Baikal.” Surrounded by forests and mountains, it contains one of Asia’s largest freshwater reserves and is among the country’s most pristine natural treasures.
The photographs gathered in this category invite you to discover the many faces of Mongolia: its boundless landscapes, nomadic traditions, remarkable wildlife and the unforgettable encounters that make every journey across this extraordinary country so memorable.