Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TWENTY-FIRST-CENTURY GERS
Some gers today sport many of the mod cons found in apartments. Most have a
TV, radios are common and some have DVD players. Many families also own a gen-
erator (sometimes small solar panels or mini windmills), which allows them to
watch TV and DVDs, charge their mobile phones and use electric lights. At a ger we
stopped by in Dornogov, 100km from any town, the owners said they use their
phones to keep in touch with relatives in Los Angeles and Chicago.
The ger itself has not changed much, although at some tourist camps (fancy
ones), you may see gers built with windows cut in the sides. Handcrafted gers with
the delicate wood carvings made for celebrations and naadams are also growing in
popularity. These can be seen in Ulaanbaatar pitched on Chinggis Khaan (Sükh-
baatar) Sq in summer or set up at the horse-race area during Naadam.
