A North-South trade route existed in Asia long before the East-West Silk Road appeared: many Chinese items such as mirrors and pieces of silk fabric were found in tombs in Southern Siberia. The Indus River also allowed the existence of a route from China –where the powerful Shule kingdom was located– to India and Pakistan. There are evidences that objects found in Thailand and Japan, such as coins and ornamental plates, were influenced by Chinese and Central Asian handicrafts as well.

Naadam is a national festival celebrated every year from 11 to 13 July across Mongolia that focuses on three traditional games: horseracing, wrestling and archery. Mongolian Naadam is inseparably connected to the nomadic civilization of the Mongols, who have long practiced pastoralism on Central Asia’s vast steppe. Oral traditions, performing arts, national cuisine, craftsmanship, and cultural forms such as long song, Khöömei overtone singing, Bie biyelgee dance and Morin khuur fiddle also feature prominently during Naadam.