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Number One; Chinggis Khan
 The Genghis Khan imprinted in the memory of the west bears little relation to the Chinggis Khaan (alternative spellings are Cengiz Han, Chengez Khan, Chinggis Khan, Chinggis Xaan, Chingis Khan, Jenghis Khan, Chinggis Qan, Djingis Kahn) revered by Mongolians. Not only is the spelling different: to Europeans, his name lives on as the epitome of mercilessness and ravaging war; to the Mongolians, he embodies strength, unity, law and order. He is the young king who united the warring clans, stamped out feuds and gave Mongolians a sense of direction. This is what post-communist Mongolia looks for today, and Chinggis epitomizes the historic ability to rise above confusion and uncertainty.
Until the end of the 12th century, the Mongols were little more than a loose confederation of rival clans. A Mongol named Temujin was born in 1162 (although the exact date is open to debate) His father was a leader of the Kiyat-Borjigin tribe, while the ethnic origins of his mother are subject to conjecture. As a teenager, he killed his half-brother in cold blood, and at the age of 20, he emerged from a power struggle to become the leader of the Kiyat-Borjigins. Within a few years, he managed to unite most of the Mongol tribes, and in 1189, he was given the honorary name of Chinggis Khaan, meaning ‘universal (or oceanic) king’. No Mongolian leader before or since has held the Mongolians together.
Chinggis set up his capital at Karakorum, in present-day Kharkhorin (Avarga, in Delgerkhaan district of the Khentii province, also claims to be Chinggis’ capital), gathered a loyal army (possibly up to 200,000 men from many ethnic groups) and went on to create the largest empire the world has ever seen By the time of his death in 1227 (from injuries sustained after falling off his horse), the Mongol empire extended from Beijing to the Caspian Sea.
Mongolians, and some historians, have agreed that the birthplace of Chinggis Khaan is at Deluun Boldog, in northern Khentii. But where was he buried?
Chinggis’ grave is probably in Khentii province, and not too far from his birthplace, but the exact location is not known. According to diaries kept by Marco Polo, the Mongols at the time wanted to keep the location a secret – which they have managed to do to this day. According to legend, the 2000 or so people who attended Chinggis’ funeral were killed by 800 soldiers, who were in turn slaughtered themselves – so total secrecy was insured.
Various expeditions, often with Japanese and US assistance and technology, have failed to shed any light on the mystery. His tomb may contain millions, if not billions, of dollars worth of gold, silver, precious stones and other priceless religious artifacts (which obviously weren’t destroyed during the Stalinist purges), so the search is sure to continue.
However, the vast amount of money spent so far, which could be better used to assist regional development, and the fact that discovery of the grave is against the obvious wishes of Chinggis Khaan himself, also causes resentment among many Mongolians.
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The name 'Mongolians' has always stirred up visions of an untamed and exotic race of people, and this still is true. Today, Mongolia seems like the end of the earth, and in a sense it is. Outside Ulaanbaatar you begin to wonder if you haven't stepped into another century, rather than another country. It remains one of the last great adventure destinations in Asia. The Mongolians are Asian by definition, however they in turn strive to be part of the Western democracies that they look up to and admire as most of Mongolia's recent history has been under the sharp watch of Communist Russia, and China.
When you come to Mongolia, the thing you have to do before you leave is ride one of their horses.
