21 Nov. 2016 Arriving in Ulaanbaatar on Friday, November 18, 2017, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama plans to stay in Mongolia until Wednesday, November 23, 2016.

The Dalai Lama is no stranger to Mongolia despite protests from China. This weekend, His Holiness traveled to Ulaanbaatar to meet with Buddhist monks and several devotees at the Gandantegchilen temple.

Although this time of year brings harsh winters to the country, some have not hesitated to travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometers for the chance to receive the Dalai Lama's spiritual teachings.

Mongolian Buddhism is indeed deeply linked to Tibet's traditions, and many revere the Dalai Lama, who had not returned to Mongolia since his first visit in 1979. According to Mongolian religious leaders, this visit could well be the last for the Tibetan spiritual leader, who is now 81 years old.

A Visit Unwelcome to China

With this visit, Mongolia has drawn China's ire and attempts to explain it by describing it as purely religious, while emphasizing that no official meetings or encounters are planned. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang had indeed urged Mongolia "not to authorize the Dalai Lama's visit and not to facilitate separatist activities of the Dalai Lama 'clique'".

The Dalai Lama himself evoked the "unique and ancient relationship" between Tibet and Mongolia upon his arrival on Mongolian soil.

Yet this visit could have repercussions on relations between Mongolia and China, which had already protested previous Dalai Lama visits by briefly closing its border in 2002 and temporarily canceling Beijing flights in 2006.

The Dalai Lama's Schedule in Mongolia

Arrived since Friday, the Dalai Lama plans to stay until Wednesday, November 23. Here is his program:

Friday, November 18, 2016: arrival at Chingis Khaan airport and welcome by Ikh Khamba, Gavj Choijamts and other lamas from the Mongolian Buddhist Center.

Saturday, November 18, 2016: greeting speech to the Mongolian people at Gandantegchilen temple, in the open air before Janraisag.

Sunday, November 20, 2016: chanting with lamas and all devotees at the Buyant-Ukhaa Sports Complex and prayer.

Monday, November 21, 2016: Science and Buddhism Forum with Mongolian lamas and university professors at the Central Cultural Palace.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016: in the morning, honorary doctorate presentation ceremony for the Spiritual Leader the Dalai Lama at the University of Life Sciences. In the afternoon, meeting with young people and students at the Central Cultural Palace.

Wednesday, November 23, 2016: early morning, meeting with journalists at the Ikh Tenger complex then departure to the airport accompanied by "the chief of Mongolian Buddhists, the abbot of Gandan Tegchenling monastery, His Eminence Gavj Choijamt" and the lamas.

Charlène Nomadays SEO writer from the very beginning at Nomadays, who became content manager and head of communications, Charlène has accompanied the adventure since its inception with passion and loyalty. After living seven years in Asia—from China to Thailand, passing through Mongolia and South Korea—she has made travel a way of being in the world. A lover of words, nature, and meaningful encounters, she strives to convey in her writing a sensitive, engaged, and responsible vision of tourism. Each article is for her a bridge between curiosity, respect, and wonder.