Mongolia Archery Workshop - A Story of Craft and Tradition
In this post, we invite you into the world of our Mongolia Archery Workshop—a chance to discover not only the ancient craft and tradition of bow making, but also the remarkable person who keeps this heritage alive. At the heart of the experience is Tomorkhuu Batmunkh, whose workshop in Ulaanbaatar offers an intimate glimpse into history, skill, and community.
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Meeting a Master Craftsman
Step off the busy streets of Ulaanbaatar’s Bayangol district, climb a set of concrete stairs in a Soviet-era apartment block, and you’ll find yourself at the threshold of a world where history and craft live side by side. This is the home of Tomorkhuu Batmunkh, a master bow and arrow maker whose life is dedicated to preserving Mongolia’s ancient tradition of archery.
A Workshop Hidden in an Apartment
Push open the door to his modest three-room apartment and the transformation is instant. The outside may be grey concrete, but inside every surface breathes with life and purpose. Sinews stretch across wooden frames. Bundles of arrows rest against the wall, their feathers neatly aligned. Tools, glues, horn, bone, and strips of birch bark lie in careful order, waiting to be transformed by Batmunkh’s hands. The space feels less like a home and more like a living museum—one shaped not by glass cases but by passion and patience.
From Scholar to Bow Maker
Batmunkh himself carries the calm energy of a man deeply rooted in his craft. Once a geography professor and a competitive archer, he now devotes his days to bow making, though he still competes from time to time. His visitors don’t just meet a craftsman—they step into the continuity of Mongolian history.
The Legacy of Mongolian Archery
For centuries, composite bows like the ones he shapes were vital tools: for survival on the steppe, for defending clans, and for the Mongol Army that forged the largest land empire in history. Today, they and their velocity remain central to Naadam, Mongolia’s great summer festival, where archery is celebrated alongside wrestling and horse racing.
The Year-Long Art of Bow Making
Crafting a bow is not a quick endeavor. It can take the better part of a year. Resilient birch wood is cut, shaped, glued, and left to dry—each bow carefully dated to ensure proper timing. Horn or bone is layered on the bow’s belly for strength, while sinew is stretched across its back. Fish glue binds it all together, and birch bark protects it from the elements. The process is intricate, painstaking, and filled with knowledge that has been handed down through generations.
A Living Workshop and Community Space
Spend an afternoon in Batmunkh’s apartment and you’ll see that this is more than solitary work. Archers wander in—some seeking advice, some looking to buy, others simply stopping by for a chat. His wife and family move easily through the space, part of the rhythm of the workshop. And as he talks—about the evolution of the bow, about his own journey into the craft—you feel the pull of history made personal. His enthusiasm is warm, contagious, and unforgettable.
An Invitation Into Daily Life
For visitors, this is far from a staged performance—it’s a genuine glimpse into daily life in Mongolia. Stepping into Batmunkh’s home means entering a space where tradition is not only preserved but lived. You’ll leave with an appreciation for the intricate art of bow making, and with the lasting impression of having met someone committed to keeping Mongolia’s culture and heritage alive.
Join Us for a Unique Experience
We are proud to have worked in long-term partnership with Batmunkh for many years—long before immersive experiences became a travel trend. Through this collaboration, we offer our guests the chance to learn directly from him and step into a living tradition of Mongolian archery. You can find out more about the experience here.
