Β«In the heart of Asia lies the boundless, mysterious and rich Mongolia. From the snow-capped slopes of the Tian Shan and the scorching sands of western Zungaria to the wooded buttresses of the Saian Mountains and the Great Wall of China, it stretches across a huge portion of Central Asia. Cradle of countless peoples, stories and legends; homeland of bloodthirsty conquerors who have left their capitals covered by the sand of the Gobi, their mysterious rings and the ancient laws of the nomads; land of monks and evil demons, of wandering tribes administered by the Khans, descendants of Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan: such is Mongolia.
Mysterious district of the cults of Rama, Sakiamuni, Djonkapa and Paspa, cults guarded by the living Buddha, Buddha incarnated in the divine person of the third dignitary of the Lamaist religion, Bogdo Gheghen a Ta Kure or Urga; land of mysterious healers, prophets, sorcerers, soothsayers and witches; homeland of the swastika symbol; a country that has not forgotten the thoughts of the great powers who once reigned in Asia and half of Europe: such is Mongolia. "
(FA Ossendowski, "Beasts, men, gods", incipit ch. XVII, "Mysterious Mongolia")
