What souvenirs should you bring back from your trip to Mongolia?
From your Mongolia trip, you can bring back felt items (slippers, rugs, decorations), leather and bone crafts, instruments like the morin khuur (horse-head violin), Mongolian jewelry, and dried milk tea or airag.
The most typical souvenirs
- Felt objects: slippers, carpets, wall decorations — the flagship craftsmanship of Mongolian nomads.
- Leather and bone craftsmanship: belts, cases, handcrafted sculptures.
- Traditional instruments: the morin khuur (horsehead violin), Mongolian national symbol.
- Mongolian jewelry and clothing: silver, turquoise, deel (traditional coat).
- Dried milk tea or bottles of airag (fermented mare's milk), if possible.
Local agency advice
Prioritize local markets like Naran Tuul in Ulan Bator for authentic craftsmanship at fair prices. Women's cooperatives often offer the most beautiful felt objects.
Key takeaway
Check French customs regulations before purchasing any leather or bone objects. Airag is difficult to preserve, so opt instead for dried milk tea as a taste souvenir.