The Mongolian ger has a 2500-3000 year history. Mongol nomads invented this type of dwelling the frame of which is chiefly made of willows and it's covered with felt. This is a multipurpose dwelling which can be easily collapsed, transported to another place and put up again fully preserving its original shape. In medieval era large gers that belong to kings and nomadic chieftains were on special wheeled floors and were dragged by a number of oxen.

During ancient times , people made shelters from dry branches and animal skins. This could have been the first version of current Mongolian ger. The history of the ger goes back to 2500-3000 years BC. In medieval era large gers that belong to kings and nomadic chieftains were on special wheeled floors and were dragged by a number of oxen (22 was usual).

The Mongolian ger has two key components, the wooden wall shell is called khana, the upper wooden poles (uni) usually measure 1.5-3 meters, the central supporting two columns are known as bagana and the uppermost smoke hole is toono. A ger usually consists of 4-12 walls, depending on its size. The number of uni or upper poles ranges between 45-120 depending on the number of walls. All gers have a toono, smoke hole, and baganas( 2 columns) which support the toono.

There are several felt layers covering the wooden framework and an outer white canvas which is designed to make the ger look prettier and protect the felt covers from rain and snow. Mongolian nomads, who move several times each year, pack their gers onto the back camels and ox carts. It only takes half an hour to collapse an average ger and a bit longer to rebuild it.

The door is always on the southern side facing the sunrise, providing more light inside the home. This is also designed not to let the northern wind into the ger through its door. However, Mongolians build their gers with the doors facing south as it is has become a long-rooted tradition, whether the wind is usually from the north or south.

While modern and western style houses are being built in Ulaanbaatar and other cities, rural Mongolians have retained their traditional lifestyle of which the ger is an integral part. As a visitor you have a chance to stay in this unique dwelling at one of the ger camps in the countryside or experience living ways of Mongolian nomads by visiting their homes.