What language do people speak in Mongolia?
Mongolian! If you know Russian, you may find someone who understands you, particularly older people. It is rare to find a Chinese-speaker, and best not to try it out on a stranger. Not everyone looks favourably on the giant neighbour to the south. Russia on the other hand is often viewed more like an old friend. In the Altai region where we ride, the local people also speak Kazakh. It is extremely rare to find English-speakers in the countryside, but in Ulaanbaatar there are young people keen to practice their English with you. Learning a few key words and phrases in Mongolia is useful, and sure to get a laugh out of the locals. We provide you with a small card for your pocket listing important words, especially horse-related ones.
