The "Mongolian yurt" is a Manchu term for the Mongolian herders' housing. "Bao," in Manchu, means "home" or "house." In ancient times, it was also referred to as "穹庐," "felt tent," or "felt house." The Mongolian yurt is a significant symbol for Mongolian families, with each yurt representing a home. A folk song describes the yurt as follows: "Because it mimics the shape of the blue sky, the top is round. Since it imitates the color of white clouds, it is made of pure white wool. This is the yurt, our Mongolian family home; because it follows the form of the heavens, the sky window symbolizes the sun. And because it mimics the constellations of the celestial sphere, the surrounding walls form the circular shape of the moon. This is the yurt, our Mongolian family home."

The Mongolian yurts come in various sizes, with larger ones capable of accommodating...Over 20 people can rest inside; the smaller ones can accommodate about 10. The setup of a Mongolian yurt is straightforward, typically done in areas with suitable grass and water. First, a circle is drawn according to the size of the yurt. Then, the "hanna" (made by intertwining willow branches 2.5 meters long) is constructed around the drawn circle. Next, the "uni" (willow sticks about 3.2 meters long) is placed on top, and the "hanna" and "uni" are tied together in a circular manner. Finally, the felt is draped over and secured with woolen ropes, completing the task. With this, a nomadic family has settled on the grasslands.

(1) Suited for Natural Environment

The Mongolian yurt, characterized by its circular design and smooth, streamlined silhouette, features an arched roof that is highly resilient. The body of the yurt is nearly cylindrical, forming a robust, cohesive structure from top to bottom. Consequently, sandstorms and heavy snowfall on the grasslands pose no threat of submersion. A well-constructed yurt can withstand gale-force winds during winter and spring. As the roof is round and cannot hold water, covering the yurt's top felt during rain or snowfall transforms it into a spherical, sealed entity. This allows it to endure heavy downpours on the grasslands. Even during days and nights of relentless rain that can bring down houses, the yurt remains unscathed, with no leaks seeping inside.

The Mongolian yurt offers warmth in winter and coolness in summer. The Mongolian region has historically been known for its extreme cold."In the extreme cold of the three-nine winter, even the horns of a three-year-old ox can crack. However, the Mongolian yurts, where the Mongolian people have lived generation after generation, have never heard of anyone being frozen to death. This is because, first, there's a fire inside the yurt, and the pastures are abundant with cow and sheep dung, which, once lit, immediately fills the space with warmth. Second, during winter, the yurt is reinforced with additional felt on the outside, and another layer is tied inside for better windproofing. Third, when sleeping, the house is warmed up, the door is sealed tightly, and sheepskin blankets and fur coats are used, making it impossible to be cold. Fourth, one can sit on a warm kang inside the yurt, heating it from outside. If the yurt becomes too hot, the top felt can be adjusted. In the scorching summer sun, setting up a yurt on a vast highland offers a panoramic view, where people can sit, drink, and sing, surrounded by the fragrance of flowers, the cool breeze, and the aroma of butter, feeling like they are in a celestial palace. This is due to the spherical shape of the yurt, predominantly white, which has good reflective properties. The back can have a sky window, and the sides of the felt can be lifted to allow for eight-sided ventilation, akin to sitting in a pavilion. It is particularly suitable for making dairy products as it prevents them from becoming too sour. Nowadays, some yurts are no longer inhabited and are used exclusively for making dairy products in the summer."

(2) Embrace the Nomadic Lifestyle

Rapid Assembly: The Mongolian yurt can be set up almost anywhere with good grass and water around. It's a modular structure with individual components, so it doesn't require a large group to assemble; two people are sufficient. After arriving at a new location, simply unload them from the vehicle, and within the time it takes to boil the milk tea, a yurt is ready. While the tea is brewing, it's a picnic; by the time you're drinking the tea, you're already seated inside the yurt.

Easy Disassembly: Disassembling the Mongolian yurt is even easier than setting it up. It takes just a few minutes for two people to dismantle. The ropes and straps all have quick-release buckles, making them simple to unfasten. Once released, the felt and frame separate automatically. The hana, wuni, and taotao are segmented, allowing for quick disassembly and folding.

Elegant and Portable Loading: The Mongolian yurt is primarily made of wood and felt, without the use of metals, bricks, tiles, or cement. It is assembled from various components, and any disassembled piece is light enough for a woman to lift and place onto a vehicle.

Ease of Maintenance: The materials used in Mongolian yurts are all sourced locally, tailored to the environment. Any part that is damaged or worn out can be replaced. The yurt can be expanded or reduced in size. However, mentally and habitually, Mongolians prefer not to reduce the size."Better to shrink one's belly than to shrink one's yurt."

The Mongolian yurt's major advantage is its easy disassembly and assembly. It is convenient for relocation. When setting up, the...The "Hana" unfolds into a circular fence, which can be folded back to reduce its volume during disassembly, serving also as a board for ox or horse carts. A Mongolian yurt can be transported with just two camels or a two-wheeled ox cart, and can be set up in just a couple of hours.

The Mongolian yurt may appear small in size, but it boasts a spacious interior. It also features good air circulation and natural lighting, providing warmth in winter and coolness in summer, and is resilient against wind and rain. It is particularly well-suited for nomadic herders who frequently move their camps.。