Mongolian Tents
"The boundless grassland lies beneath the boundless skies. When the winds blow and grass bends low, my sheep and cattle will emerge before your eyes." "A Shepherd's Song" depicts the scenery of the grasslands inhabited by Mongolians in Inner Mongolia and Kazakhs and other ethnic groups in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Many white yurts - Mongolian tents - are scattered around green prairies. This is a form of residence that emerged in adaptation to their nomadic life of living near water plants.
The Mongolian tent is a circular domed dwelling that is usually four to six meters in diameter. Because of its swelling exterior, ancient people called it "domed roof." It consists of a wooden frame supporting a felt cover.
On top of it is an umbrella-shaped roof with a round movable ceiling, which can be opened to allow sunlight, ventilation and smoke emission in the tent. Inside the tent, the living area is situated close to the entrance, with the fireplace for cooking and heating right at the center of the tent. On the ground and the walls are colorful felt rugs that make the interior a cozy space despite its small size.
The Mongolians are nomads and they usually move about twice in a year. In May, when the weather is warm, they go in search of places with ample water supply and green pastures for grazing their livestock. In October, when the weather gets cold, they go in search of a warmer place to spend the winter. The Mongolian tent is a portable structure that can be installed or dismantled in a couple of hours. It is transported using a camel or house driven cart.
About the book
Chinese Architecture Written by Cai Yanxin Published by China Intercontinental Press, Beijing, 2018
"The boundless grassland lies beneath the boundless skies. When the winds blow and grass bends low, my sheep and cattle will emerge before your eyes." "A Shepherd's Song" depicts the scenery of the grasslands inhabited by Mongolians in Inner Mongolia and Kazakhs and other ethnic groups in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Many white yurts - Mongolian tents - are scattered around green prairies. This is a form of residence that emerged in adaptation to their nomadic life of living near water plants.
The Mongolian tent is a circular domed dwelling that is usually four to six meters in diameter. Because of its swelling exterior, ancient people called it "domed roof." It consists of a wooden frame supporting a felt cover.
On top of it is an umbrella-shaped roof with a round movable ceiling, which can be opened to allow sunlight, ventilation and smoke emission in the tent. Inside the tent, the living area is situated close to the entrance, with the fireplace for cooking and heating right at the center of the tent. On the ground and the walls are colorful felt rugs that make the interior a cozy space despite its small size.
The Mongolians are nomads and they usually move about twice in a year. In May, when the weather is warm, they go in search of places with ample water supply and green pastures for grazing their livestock. In October, when the weather gets cold, they go in search of a warmer place to spend the winter. The Mongolian tent is a portable structure that can be installed or dismantled in a couple of hours. It is transported using a camel or house driven cart.
About the book
Chinese Architecture Written by Cai Yanxin Published by China Intercontinental Press, Beijing, 2018
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