The Eagle Hunter Cultural Center

Mongolia's Shifting Tourism Industry—And What It Means for the Country's Nomads | Condé Nast Traveler

"Opened the year prior as a permanent, year-round ger-shaped hub in Bayan-Ölgii, this center intentionally overlaps traditional heritage, wildlife conservation, and tourism. Outside the rounded yurt, Turginbek Ajken—who took up traditional eagle hunting in retirement—stroked the brown feathers of his golden eagle, Tirnek, and told me how he learned from his father and why keeping the old tradition gives him pride, with the golden Altai Mountains rising behind us. Inside, next to a case of hand-hewn biyalai deerskin gloves, director Atai Ayatkhan outlined the center’s mission: to “keep the balance,” train and educate future eagle hunters, build research and data on Mongolia’s eagle populations, welcome young wildlife researchers, and share this sport with locals and foreigners alike. Beyond the fall’s Golden Eagle Festival, travelers can participate in eagle-hunting workshops, learn Mongolian horsemanship, shop regional arts and textiles, and arrange overnight homestays; the center also serves as a community gathering place and the headquarters of the Kazakh Falconry Association, which is creating a modern database of registered, licensed eagle hunters to support both traditional falconry and healthy wild eagle populations." - Samantha Falewée