The Mongolia Mountain and Water Map: Fu Xinian first suggested that the 30-meter long 16th century landscape painting of roads, mountains, buildings, and water was actually a map in 2002. Lin Meicun has been studying the map since 2004. Last year, Lin published a book explaining the 211 labeled places from Jiayuguan Pass west to Tianfang (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia found on the map. The information was probably based on knowledge gained by the Mongol Empire. Block-printed versions of the map were sold during the Ming Dynasty.

Australian Tim Cope in the Altai mountains in Mongolia.

Cope retraced the route of the Mongol invasion from Mongolia to Hungary on horseback over three years and made a documentary called “On the Trail of Genghis Khan.” 

Shining river photo by Onon Batchuluun.