The Mongolian section of the Great Tea Route

Transport stations
1. Udiin us (Ikh uud) station 43.801655, 111.853289
2. Khukh us (Khukh ders) station 45.175644, 110.184453
3. Uizen station 45.778669, 109.317644
4. Buur (Gyalaan nuur) station 50 15 25.7, 106 31 53.47

Sacred places
5. Choiriin Bogd mountain 46 12 51.5, 108 46 2.38

Historical sites
6. Ruin of the Choir Monastery 46 12 51.5, 108 46 2.38
7. Gandan monastery 47.922140, 106.894842
8. Geser temple 47.922082, 106.900298
9. Ulaanbaatar city museum 47.918277, 106.936027
10. Bogd Khaan Palace museum 47.897498, 106.907000
11. Dari Ekh temple 47.905645, 106.998923
12. Ruin of Maimaa city in Altanbulag 50.320227, 106.481848

The Great Tea Route was a significant and prolonged overland trade network that facilitated the exchange of tea and other goods between China and Europe from the 17th century to the early 20th century. This historically significant route commenced in Wuhan, located in Southeast China, and traversed modern-day Beijing and Ereen hot before reaching Maimaa in Ulaanbaatar and Altanbulag town in Mongolia, and continued through various regions of Russia, including Ulan-Ude, Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Yekaterinburg, and Kazan, ultimately arriving in Moscow and extending to St. Petersburg, and further to Europe. This extensive route served as a vital conduit for trade and cultural exchange.

Mongolia's route is notably recognized for using camel caravans for tea transportation, which exemplifies the time's logistical ingenuity.

The Great Tea Route is distinguished by its wealth of archaeological and historical monuments, with numerous sites strategically established.

The route encompasses 21 transport stations, including such us Udiin Us, Khukh Ders, Uizen, Khuntsal, Gyalaan Nuur, and the temple of Choir. The landscapes associated with the Great Tea Route possess considerable cultural and spiritual significance. They feature landmarks such as the sacred Choiriin Bogd Mountain and culturally essential elements such as the mountain and “Ovoo” (a stone cairn-like mound) worshipping ritual.

Furthermore, the route includes notable Buddhist architectural sites such as the Gandan Monastery, Geser Temple, Dari Ekh Temple, and Bogd Khaan Palace museum, as well as prominent Orthodox churches in Ulaanbaatar. The trading and commercial memorial buildings in both Ulaanbaatar and Altanbulag provide insights into the thriving commerce of the past. Notably, the ruins of the tea-trading town of Maimaa can be found in Altanbulag, serving as a testament to its historical importance.

The Great Tea Route presents a valuable opportunity to engage with a rich historical narrative that reflects centuries of trade and cultural exchange. This route represents a critical chapter in understanding the development of global commerce and cultural interactions.

The significance of tea and tea drink sets extends beyond culinary enjoyment. They play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy balance in the human body and represent a noteworthy aspect of sustainable development in human history.

Since 1692, delegates from China and Russia have convened with Mongolian khans and officials to establish a camel caravan trade system. This endeavor led to establishing two pivotal towns: Maimaa and Kyakhta (today Altanbulag). They emerged as essential conduits along the "Great Tea Route," which connects Asia and Europe.

The Great Tea Route encompasses the comprehensive cycle of tea production, processing, transportation, sales, and the cultural practices associated with tea. It exemplifies a long-distance, cross-regional trade system facilitating interaction among people and nations. This route engenders the exchange of global trade, knowledge, ideas, culture, technological advancements, arts, and craftsmanship, making it a vital link across the Eurasian continent.

Moreover, the Great Tea Route has catalyzed industrial growth, urbanization, and infrastructure development, including constructing roads, bridges, and architectural landmarks. Research indicates that this overland trade route has contributed to the establishment and expansion of over 200 towns along its 13,000-kilometer stretch.

As illustrated by these examples, the trade network connecting various nations serves purposes that extend beyond the simple exchange of goods. It facilitates significant communication between civilizations, fostering mutual understanding, respect, and collaborative learning. Thus, the Great Tea Route has profoundly impacted the interexchange between Asian and European cultures, highlighting a vital sharing of human values.

Furthermore, the intensive trading of tea and other goods has led to the prosperity of numerous towns and cities, reflecting the interactions between settled and nomadic communities. This is particularly evident in regions such as Mongolia and Inner Mongolia and along trade routes traversing Buryatia, the Baikal region, and the Russian steppes. Consequently, the Great Tea Route provides unique insights into the dynamics of both nomadic and settled agrarian civilizations.

The Great Tea Route is a remarkable testament to the evolution of tea culture. It showcases the intricate exchange of knowledge, expressions, rituals, and practices associated with this beloved beverage. This historic network not only highlights the cultural significance of tea but also offers profound insights into the transportation methods of the time, particularly the use of pack animals. This transportation culture thrived from the 17th century until the early 20th century but gradually diminished as modern methods emerged.

Numerous archaeological and historical landmarks along the Great Tea Route underscore its Outstanding Universal Value. These sites include vibrant cities and quaint towns steeped in history, magnificent palaces that once housed royalty, bustling trading settlements where merchants exchanged goods, and serene monasteries that offered spiritual refuge. The route is also home to intricately designed temples and pagodas, impressive Orthodox churches, and sacred sites reflecting the diverse religious practices of tea culture. Additionally, practical structures such as post houses, transport stations known as “Urtuu”, functional wells, and various commercial buildings all contribute to the rich tapestry of tea-related heritage along this historic path.

In Mongolia, the Great Tea Route segment stretches approximately 1,150 kilometers, representing nearly 9% of the route. This section runs from Zamiin-Uud to Khyakhta (today Altanbulag), traversing vast and rugged landscapes. Experts have identified 21 transport stations strategically placed in Mongolia to offer vital support services to caravans as they journey through the region's challenging and often harsh terrains. These stations provided rest, refueling, and shelter, ensuring the safe passage of traders and their valuable tea cargo across this expansive and demanding landscape.

Mongolia's geography positions it as a crucial link in the overland tea trade network.

Camels, known for their resilience and ability to carry heavy loads in harsh conditions, were the primary mode of transport.

Mongolian chieftains and trading communities acted as intermediaries, ensuring that caravans could safely navigate the country's challenging landscape, which included the severe Gobi Desert, vast steppes, and high mountain ranges.

The architecture of the transport station and local dwellings began to reflect a synthesis of styles. Traditional Mongolian “ger”, typically utilized by nomadic communities, commenced the integration of architectural elements from Chinese, Russian, and European designs during the establishment and planning of the city of Khuree, now known as Ulaanbaatar. This integration is particularly evident in locations such as Maimaa town, Gandan Monastery, Geser Monastery, Dari Ekh Temple in Ulaanbaatar, and commercial buildings in Kyakhta (today Altanbulag).

The Great Tea Route, especially its segments traversing Mongolia, became a vibrant tapestry of shared intangible cultural heritage, where diverse ethnic groups-including Mongolian, Chinese, and Russian communities-interchanged knowledge, skills, practices, folk arts, and craftsmanship. This rich cultural exchange has profoundly impacted Mongolia's national identity and living heritage. A prime example of this influence is the emergence of a distinctive Mongolian tea culture characterized by specific rituals and ceremonies surrounding tea preparation and consumption. Today, Mongolia boasts a wide array of tea-drinking traditions that reflect its people's unique preferences and customs. The Mongolian populace possesses a wealth of specialized knowledge regarding tea preparation, employing time-honored methods passed down through generations, seamlessly integrating tea into their daily routines and social gatherings.

Criterion (ii): The Property of the Great Tea Route, including its Mongolian segment, adheres to Criterion (ii) as it exemplifies a significant interchange of cultural, technological, creative, and human values across the Asian and European continents among diverse ethnic communities from the 17th century to the early 20th century. The Great Tea Route, particularly its Mongolian section, facilitated the mutual exchange between nomadic pastoral societies and settled civilizations. These interactions influenced architecture and urban planning developments, religious beliefs, urban culture, trade, and interethnic relations throughout the routes.

Criterion (iii): The Great Tea Route satisfies Criterion (iii) by providing exceptional testimony to the unique cultural tradition of transporting tea by pack animal. This practice thrived from the 17th to the early 20th centuries before declining with the advent of automobiles and railways linking Moscow, Ulaanbaatar, and Beijing. Furthermore, the Great Tea Route reflects distinctive living cultural traditions associated with preparing and consuming tea throughout its length.

Criterion (v): The Great Tea Route, particularly its Mongolian path, is an outstanding example of land and water resource management, especially in Mongolia's Gobi and steppe regions. This segment is characterized by extensive camel caravan transportation, which necessitated a specific water management system involving the excavation and utilization of underground wells.

Criterion (vi): The Great Tea Route possesses significant universal cultural value due to its tangible and direct connection to tea, a commodity of global importance. This historical phenomenon has been instrumental in maintaining a healthy balance in human life and contributing to sustainable development.

Authenticity

The Mongolian section of the Great Tea Route includes adequate sites that effectively convey the property's original characteristics and design. The authenticity of the proposed individual sites is predominantly satisfactory.

Integrity

Integrity denotes the completeness and intactness of cultural heritage and its associated attributes. Accordingly, all elements and attributes necessary to convey the property's outstanding universal value have been included. It is important to note that presenting the Mongolian segment of the Great Tea Route in isolation, without consideration of other corridors, cannot fulfil the integrity requirements of the property. The Mongolian portion of the proposed site encompasses all essential elements and attributes that illustrate the outstanding universal values of the nominated property through its distinct and significant contributions.