After living in China as well as mentor English for a bit over a year, we discovered a great deal about Chinese customs as well as methods of life. We liked living there as well as since then have likewise enjoyed a month spent traveling Mongolia.

Even though these two wonderful countries are neighbours, they are light-years away from each other.

We’ve made some observations about Mongolia as well as have found many differences between the Chinese as well as Mongolian cultures, people as well as customs.

Here’s a listing of a few differences that stood out for us:

1. Physical Appearance

A major contrast between the two countries is the appearance of the people. Chinese people tend to be rather small-framed, slight as well as short’ish.

The Mongolians are a hearty breed of people, the guy are muscular as well as stocky, while the women are voluptuous as well as curvy. Also, the Mongolians have darker skin as well as aren’t as concerned with being fair-skinned, as Chinese people are.

I wouldn’t wanna run into this guy in a dark alley…Mongolians are a hearty people

2. Chinese Food is much Better

We’re all about eating the regional cuisine of a country we’re in as well as even though there are some seriously strange street-foods in China, that cuisine is one of our favourites!

During our time in China, we dined on dumplings, tofu dishes, fried pork, chilly noodles, stir-fried rice, as well as much more.

Mongolian food is centered around meat as well as dairy, as that’s what the nomadic people on the steppe have at their disposal. It seems that Mongolians (in the countryside anyways) eat out of necessity rather than for enjoyment.

Chinese food is so flavourful, diverse as well as delicious!
3. No Smoking in Mongolia

In China, it seems like every guy smokes cigarettes. Whether in a restaurant, shop or on a bus, they all light up. In Mongolia, there are “no smoking” indications everywhere as well as the rules are obeyed.

4. English is more commonly spoken in Mongolia

Apart from when we were in major cities like Beijing or Shanghai, English wasn’t easily spoken in China. things are altering these days, however, with more as well as more Chinese people discovering exactly how to speak English — either in class, or online.

Travelling to China is more for the intrepid traveller, as well as it was excellent to try to discover Chinese as well as in shape in with the regional people. But, sometimes it’s nice to have people comprehend what you want as well as requirement (or what they want as well as need!).

The language barrier was truly difficult in China, much easier to comprehend one one more in Mongolia
5. Chinese people have Their own sense of Fashion 

The people in Ulan Bator (the only major city in Mongolia) gown rather stylish as well as have a extremely western sense of style. Out in the countryside, they don their traditional, beautiful, clothing.

The guy as well as women of China have a extremely distinct, cool as well as fashionable style of dress, which makes them different from what we’re utilized to seeing in the west.

Chinese women like their cool high-heeled shoes
6. The Air high quality is much better in Mongolia

This goes without saying. There are about 1.5 billion people in China compared to only 3 million people in Mongolia. travelling with Mongolia has definitely been a breath of fresh air.

The air high quality in China can be truly poor some days

7. China has many Cities

Mongolia only has one true city, Ulan Bator. The rest are thought about little villages, called sums. other than that, Mongolia is nothing however expansive, natural landscapes. 

Compare that with the more than 800 cities in China — 65 of which have more than 1 million people. since of these numbers, our experience in Mongolia was far more peaceful, as well as we enjoyed the less chaotic, less polluted country.

One of the most famous cities in China, as well as in the world – Shanghai

8. Mongolians Are Nomadic

Mongolians in the countryside online in gers as well as pack up their houses to move to greener pastures 2-4 times per year. This is one of the most interesting elements of the Mongolian culture as well as lifestyle. 

Traditional Mongolian gers
9. Chinese people eat Fish, Pork as well as Chicken

Mongolians do not.

While the Chinese enjoy lighter proteins like fish, pork as well as chicken, Mongolian people like their red meat! They normally eat sheep, goat, yak as well as horse. Hearty meats for hearty people, a must for keeping warm in the freezing chillywinters.

Plus, these are the animals that are offered to them.

Mongolians like eating red meat!
10. Chinese people are Fascinated by Westerners

I can’t count the number of times we were the primary attraction at a specific touristy site in China.

We had our pictures taken numerous times while living as well as travelling there as well as almost triggered a few cars and truck mishaps since of people staring at us, rather than the road!

In Mongolia, they would provide a quick glimpse at us as well as bring on about their business — no staring as well as definitely no photos.

Chinese people are fascinated by westerners…even when they’re at a famous site, they wished to take our photo!

Even though there are many, many differences between these two neighbouring countries, there are a few similarities that stand out as well:

1. For non-native speakers, both languages are extremely difficult to pronounce as well as learn.
2. Buddhism is a prominent religion.
3. Mongolia as well as China have extremely family-oriented cultures.
4. Chinese as well as Mongolians are both extremely hospitable as well as friendly people.

The people in China as well as Mongolia are a few of the kindest in the world

We miss living in China so much! The experiences we had there were life-changing as well as unforgettable.

Even though it was difficult to state goodbye, making the option to travel to Mongolia after completing our mentor contract in China was one of the very best decisions we’ve ever made.

We had a blast travelling with Mongolia for 30 days. The off the beaten path moments we had as well as the nomadic households as well as methods of life we encountered are a few of our fondest memories, ever.

For more info on travelling to these two intriguing countries, inspect out our Backpacking guide to China as well as our guide to Backpacking Mongolia.

Have you ever been to China or Mongolia, or both?! What do you believe of the culture as well as the people? tell us below!

 Like it? Pin it!

Disclaimer:Goats On The road is an Amazon partner as well as likewise an affiliate for some other retailers. This means we make commissions if you click links on our blog as well as purchase from those retailers.