Cultural Heritage Restoration in Dornogov Aimag
This project aims to develop a strategy for better making use of cultural resources in Dornogov' by involving local communities and residents in income-generating activities within the tourism sector.
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Background
Dornogov' aimag is relatively under-visited by domestic and foreign tourists. Currently there are only two ger-camps in the province catering to international tourists, and most large tour operators bypass Dornogov` due to its absence of familiar itineraries and a highly-developed tourist infrastructure. Yet the region is easily accessible by overnight train from Ulaanbaatar, and is home to a rich and unique cultural heritage–making it one of the most promising areas for the development of cultural tourism in Mongolia.
Heritage of Danzanravzhaa
Among the most significant cultural resources of Dornogov` is the cultural heritage of Noyon Xutagt Danzanravzhaa, one of the most influential intellectuals and social activists of Mongolia in the 19th century. Danzanravzhaa founded Mongolia's first theatre and museum, as well as a series of important monasteries throughout the Gobi, a number of which have been revived and reconstructed in recent years as centres of cultural production.
Danzanravzhaa was also renowned for his medical treatises, works of art, poems and songs - including 'Ülemzhiin Chanar', 'Övgön Shuvuu Xoyor', and other songs that continue to be celebrated today as part of the living folk repertoire, both locally and throughout Mongolia. This heritage is brought to life in the outstanding Danzanravzhaa museum in Sainshand, as well as at Xamar Monastery, the sacred Xan Bayanzürx Mountain, and other sites.
Intangible Heritage
The unique 'Borzhigin' style of urtiin duu and morin khuur performance, kept alive by living folk masters, is intimately associated with this region. As recommended by UNESCO, the safeguarding of these traditional folk arts depends on the provision of financial and other support to the bearers of such traditions, and the promotion of their skills - cultural tourism being one of the means of achieving this goal.
Dornogov' is also home to vibrant nomadic cultural heritage, in which the herding of camels plays a central role. It is possible for tourists to visit local herding families, taste dairy products made from camel milk, participate in the drawing of felt by camels, see camel races, or take part in camel-back excursions reminiscent of the ancient Silk Road caravans. Visitors can also appreciate the vital link between the vast and magnificent landscape of the Gobi, with its fields of petrified trees and fossilized dinosaur bones, and the living culture of its present-day inhabitants.
State of the Cultural Heritage
Although the rich and valuable cultural heritage of the people of the Gobi continues to exist, no action is taken to introduce this heritage to others, domestic and international tourists are few in number, and the existing cultural resources are inadequately exploited, demonstrating the need to develop cultural tourism in this region. Furthermore, whereas some historical monuments have been damaged by local residents in recent years due to their lack of awareness of the significance of the properties, the more extensive use of such monuments as cultural tourism products could provide an incentive for their protection and preservation.
Rationale
With this project, we intend to conduct a thorough needs-analysis for the development of cultural tourism in Dornogov', and undertake discussions with local organizations and communities to elaborate a definite strategy for exploiting the abundant cultural resources of this region in a more effective and sustainable manner. We expect that the successful completion of this project will lead to the implementation of concrete measures to promote the East Gobi to domestic and foreign tourists, to better coordinate tourism activities in this province, to set in place expanded service structures to accommodate visitors, and to make use of existing resources in generating new cultural tourism products.
 | In commemoration of the legacy and teachings of His Holiness Dulduit Danzanravzhaa Fifth Wrathful Noble Xutagt of the Great Gobi (1803-1856) I did not overbearingly sophize Nor preach with pride and arrogance But having found a sense in this world Spoke the truth of my dear heart. |   |