Mongolian herders have maintained a nomadic lifestyle for millennia, long predating the rise of Chinggis Khan in the 12th and 13th centuries. Today, roughly one third of Mongolia’s population lead pastoral livelihoods, though many families are moving closer to urban areas to take advantage of greater access to markets.
On July 1-3, Peter Bittner of The Diplomat traveled to Bornoor and Bayanchandmani sums, or administrative districts, roughly 100 kilometers outside of Ulaanbaatar. Below are glimpses of the daily lives of the herders he met with. (Due to the conditions of his travel, the subjects in the photos cannot be identified.)