Mongolia Tea Road Research Project. Developed by L. Manlajav and Sh. Egshig. Table of contents

Transcription

1 Mongolia Tea Road Research Project Developed by L. Manlajav and Sh. Egshig Table of contents 1. Rationale for conducting Tea road basic research 2. Historical background of the Tea road 3. The commodity called tea 4. About Tea road origin, development and its end 5. Tea road where and in which direction was going? 6. Justification for tea road to become the commodity of tourism 7. Conclusions of researchers 8. Used literature and publications 1

2 1. Rationale for conducting Mongolia Tea road basic research study In 2011, within the scope of the Tea road international tourism project commissioned by the Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism (MNET), it was concluded to conduct a basic research on the historical background of the trade road based on documented historical facts in Mongolia in order to design a route for new tourism products. To carry out the basic research, a non-government organization Tea culture society was recruited for its capacity of qualified workforce with appropriate education and knowledge background. Tea culture society is a non-profit, non-government organization established in The main goal of the organization is to enhance the cultural relations among countries and nations via tea culture, adopt in Mongolia the latest innovations and practices pertaining to cultural relations, compile domestic information and documents related to national tea culture, restore and popularize national culture and traditions, and through the activities of the organization to diminish the alcohol abuse in the modern society and other adverse habits leading to unhealthy lifestyle, advocate positive customs and traditions via tea culture, and promote tea culture. Tea culture society NGO s main goal is fully consistent with the criteria to carry out the abovementioned basic research, commissioned by the MNET, and moreover the scope of this initiative is line with the work objectives of both the client and contractor organizations. 2

3 2. Historical background of the Tea road The fact that the Silk Road, which accommodated half of the world trade, passed through the Mongolian territory is documented in verbal and written chronicles throughout history. Now, the goal is to study the Tea Road that also passed through Mongolia. In terms of time span, economic, trade and cultural aspects, the Tea Road is perhaps no less significant than the Silk Road. Undertaking of this project in collaboration with the Northern and Southern neighbors of Mongolia Russian Federation and People s Republic of China, respectively is considered a quite timely initiative. The logic of the research requires going beyond the topic at hand and touching upon the historical interactions between Mongolia and its neighboring two countries. Hence, our research will firstly focus on the state of economic and trade relationship between Russia, China, and Mongolia since XIII century 1. It is appropriate to provide brief account of the state of Mongolia at the time. In the XV- XVI century during Batmunkh khan s rule, Mongolia was unified again until it became a scattered feudal states in the XVII-XVIII century. In the mid XVI century, there were three independent states Dzuun (Eastern) Oirad Nation, Khalkh Mongolia, and Umnud (Southern) Mongolia. This is by far the most complicated and darkest period in the history of Mongolia. At the time Mongolia was under the rule of Manchuria which pursued an aggressive policy in the Central Asia 2. Although being under Manchurian rule, Khalkh Mongolia still had economic and commercial relationship with Russia and China. Facts exist that the Russian empire was particularly supportive of Siberia s trade with Russia and Mongolia, pointing to the existence of diplomatic relationship between Russia and Mongolia. This relationship is even regarded as ambassadorial. Among its partners, Russia had an active communication with Altan khan of Khalkh. Since acquirement of Siberia, Russia approached closer to the border of Mongolian partners. Becoming neighbors with the Russian citizens residing in Siberia, and Kazakh soldiers and farmers had lead to commercial ties, and consequently, resulted in political relationship between Russia and Mongolia. In the XVII century, Western Mongolians (Oirads) were the very first to associate with Russia. Subsequently, Russia established relationship with Altan khan of Khalkh, and in the 1640s, with Tsetsen khan and Tusheet khan of Khalkh, and residents of Zasagt khanate. 1 Buyanchuulgan, The tool demonstrating the period of Manchurian rule of Mongolia: Policy document of Enkh- Amgalan khan, 1937, Left-wing policy document, translated from Munchurian into Mongolian. 2 Sh. B. Chimitdorjiev, Relationship between Mongolia and Russia (XVII-XVIII bb), Moscow,

4 In the early XVI century, in the mid of feudal disintegration, conflicts and wars among tribes, the Altan khanate was established in Uvs mountains part. Sholoi Ubashi ( ), the first Altan khan, after being a member of the Khalkh Zasagt khanate, independently pursued domestic and foreign policy in XVI-XVII century. Altan khanate, primarily made up of Khotgoids, moved from the Western Mongolia to Uvs lake regions. Prior to Sholoi khan, Khotgoids were subordinates of Abadai khan of the Western Khalkh 3. Altan khan Sholoi and his successors were occasionally in control of tribes such as Kyrgyz of Yenisei, Telengut and Tuvan-Uriankhai, and received taxes. In XVII-XVIII century, ancestors of the modern-day Tuvans were dependent on Khalkh aristocrats 4. In 1608, Russia sent its first ambassador to Altan khan Sholoi, however, the latter was engaged in battles with the Oirads, and thus the ambassador s mission was unsuccessful. In 1616, Ataman Vasily obtained information on Chinese via his ambassador. Afterwards, the Russians were given another opportunity to send their leader Tyuments accompanied by a Russian ambassador. The mission was important for the Russians since it allowed them not only to gather reliable information regarding Altan khanate but also to obtain certain information regarding Chinese. From this period on, a friendly relationship was set between Russia and Altan khanate, and ambassadors of Altan khanate made visits on four different occasions during the span of During this period when the Russian-Mongolia trade expanded, Altan khan Ombo- Erdene (son of Sholoi Ubashi) requested the Russians to build barns in Tomsk city where citizens of Altan khanate and Russians could engage in trade. Historical sources reveal that besides the tea bought from China, the Mongolians of the Altan khanate traded fur from livestock and hunted animals. Russian scientist Sh. B. Chimitdorjiev recounts that in 1638 Altan khan Ombo-Erdene treated Russian diplomats Masily Starkav and Stepan Neverov with such beverages, which suggests it was the first the Russians tried a tea. It is surprising to learn that it took an effort for Altan khan to convince M. Starkav to convey 200 packs of tea as a gift for Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich. Moscow liked tea, and gradually started to bring more tea to Russia. Inevitably, tea became popular among the public, and was rated in the list of luxurious commodities, after gold, silver and valuable stones 5. Such historical recounts prove that even in the XVII century Mongolians not only consumed tea but also advertised and popularized the use of tea and were engaged in 3 S. Purevjav, Ancestry and historical background of Khotgoid (XVI-XVII century), UB 1970, x History of Tuva 5 Sh. B. Chimitdorjiev, Relationship between Mongolia and Russia (XVII-XVIII bb), Moscow,

5 trading activities. Here we gave accounts on tea-related documents based on sources only pertaining to Mongolia. It is obvious that China, the motherland of tea, has plenty of documented sources and records. In fact, China contains by far the richest historical documents on tea planting and processing, and tea culture. What we know from findings is that in 1618 Ambassador of China in Russia provided a gift of small amount of tea for the Russian king, and that a public transportation was in place for private trades among Russia and China. The book on tea road written by the researcher Gabi Bamana can not be overlooked. The book narrates how Mongolians consumed tea, and illustrates the Mongolian culture and lifestyle through the tea culture developed in Mongolia. Gabi Bamana traveled throughout the Khovd aimag, abundant with people from many nationalities and ethnic groups, and conducted researches interviewing numerous people. In the year 15 of Jenguan calendar or 641 A.D., King of Tibet Soronzongombo wedded to princess Wenchen, the daughter of Taizun, emperor of Tan Dynasty. When Princess Wenchen arrived in Tibet, her possessions consisted of arts and other valuables including 3800 types of plant seeds, equipments for weaving, paper processing, and distilling wine, and in addition she introduced tea culture in Tibet. In Tibet tea was called Jia, a name that was sustained upon arrival in Tibet. It is easy to establish the dates when tea was introduced in Tibet based on these records. Introduction of tea in Mongolia, as theorized by some researchers, may have come from Tibet 6. For instance, as narrated by Gabi Bamana, following establishment of Mongol-Tibet relationship, tea became popular and was widely used among Mongolians. He further notes that compressed tea became a method of payment for transactions among traders and businessmen. The Mongolian Secret History does not recount the use of tea in the palace of Chinggis Khan nor among common public. Among beverages, it mentions sun (suu, milk) and esug (airag, fermented mares milk). The Mongolian Secret History contains nouns and verbs related to beverages such as undan (undaa, beverage) as well as other words with the same root undalaju, unda asamu, and undalalduruun, however, it is unclear what drinks these are being referred to. Although there are accounts of horse trades and use of tea by monks, during Yuan Dynasty, there is no evidence of use of tea prior to this period including Chinggis Khan s era. The aim is to illustrate the significant role of tea played in the trade between three countries Russian, Mongolia, and China. The transportation of tea on the overland trade road between Russian and China is unique. Although Russia was for over 150 years engaged in trade with China passing through Khyahta, Manchuria (Manj Chin) has always been opposed to the trade 6 Gabi Bamana, On the tea road (A journey into Mongolian life and culture), Ulaanbaatar, 2008 p

6 between Russia and Mongolia. Russian traders, in order to create opportunity for free trade with Mongolia, were approaching their government to address this issue. On the other hand, Chinese traders particularly the traders from Shansi province who had high privilege in Mongolia have been putting pressure on their own government to prevent trade between Mongolia and Russia. Nevertheless, the trade between Russia and Mongolia began inevitably expanding from Russian scientists speculate that trade relations between Russian and Mongolia started in the XVII century. Their theory is that the trades commenced, and had been ongoing, following arrival of Russians in the West Mongolia in In the West, Tea road was reached out from Huh Hot to Khovd city, and in the deeper West the road was further extended from Khovd city to Guchen of Shinjaan. These two routes both pass through Mongolia reaching Biisk. The third road, in the East, passed through from Khovd city to Chuulalt Khaalgan, Russian Khyahta, and Altanbulag of Mongolia. Another important though shorter road is the Sogog Kharuul. Researcher Gabi Bamana uncovered all of these information from the residents of Mankhan soum Hovd aimag. However, the main trade road was Khyahta-Urguu-Chuulalt Khaalgan, which was eventually expanded and split into to eight roads. One of these roads was a postal road 7. Tea transportation caravan underwent throughout the years. Tea was first transported from Khaalgan to Khyahta, first in a camel caravan and then, when it reached the city, in a wagon. From 1865, a Trade House (Комиссионый дом) was opened intended for delivering tea for Russia. Tea was first transported from Khaalgan to Khuree, where it was stored in a special storage, and then was delivered to Russia. The storage sometimes stored up to thousand boxes of tea 8. At the time, the transit and transportation of tea made a profit of approximately 2,000,000 rubles, of which profit from Khuree to Khaalgan was 1,400,000 rubles, and farther to Khyahta it made a profit of 600,000 rubles. Such amount of profit made a considerable contribution to the livelihood in Mongolia. In Mongolia during that period, compensation for labor for instance cargo services was made by compressed packs of tea. The compressed tea was rather unpractical for payment, so instead it was complemented by coupons (тезцы). 7 N. E. Edinarkhova, Russians in Mongolia: basic stages and forms of economic activities, Irkutsk, 2003, p Russian Council in Mongolia, Report by Ya. P. Shishmarev about 25-year period of activities of Urga consulate, Irkutsk,

7 Russians have continuously sought for a shorter and easier route for transportation of commodities. In 1881, a treaty was signed in Saint Petersburg to approve the tax exemption of the trade road which transited through Mongolia 9. Establishment of Russian consulate in Khuree, the capital city of Mongolia, played a significant role from both political and economic perspective. The relationship of the two countries particularly progressed during Ya. P. Shishmarev s period as the general council. The above observations and researches were based on documented written sources as well as interviews with elderly people. According to elders, there were several tea trade markets in Khovd city of Khovd province, Uliastai of Zavkhan aimag, in the capital city Khuree (Ulaanbaatar) where traders from Mongolia, Russian, and China used to meet and engage in trades. It is also documented that Tsagaan nuur and Khyahta - Altanbulag cities of Bayan-Ulgii were key trade transit stations N. E. Edinarkhova, Russians in Mongolia: basic stages and forms of economic activities, Irkutsk, 2003, p Gabi Bamana, On the tea road (A journey into Mongolian life and culture), Ulaanbaatar,

8 3. The commodity called tea Tea was one of the commodities that played a historical role in the lifestyle of our Mongolian forefathers. There is a theory that before our era (B.C.) people in Southeast Tibet were the first to start processing and consuming tea. The botanic name for tea is Camellia sinensis 11, and the first discovery of tea in China led to variety of trademarks available today. According to Chinese myth, 5000 years ago or 2737 B.C. the legendary Emperor Shennong was taking a rest below a tree when a wind blew few leaves from the tree into the pot where the king was boiling water after which the water turned into a pleasant pale green color. A curious monk who was accompanying the king after tasting the drink, started praising the deliciousness of the drink, and from this time forth tea culture was created and developed. Customs related to tea, such as ways of drinking and praising tea, have been and still are changing and evolving. Nevertheless, the discovery of tea by the Chinese king s is merely a myth and a story passed on through generations. Tea researchers, based on factual findings, suggest a different scenario: Dai ethnic group 12 who inhabited in the lower slope of the Himalaya Mountain were the first to use and, consequently, grow tea which they transported to the north to Tibet. These events took place 2000 years prior to when tea began to be processed in the eastern China in 500 A.D Martha Avery The Tea Road China and Russia meet across the steppe Beijing, China Intercontinental Press, 2003, p. 13 8

9 Photo 1. Tea plantation Although it is said in the VII and VIII century A.D. tea was processed into a high quality tea in Fujien province of the Tan Dynasty of China, in reality the processing method was introduced in the X century A.D.. During this period, the Chinese started to grow high quality sorts of tea in the U-i mountain located in the north side of Fujien province. During Sun Dynasty era, these processed teas were given out to Northern provinces as levy taxes. Dai ethnic people used to fill the processed teas into bamboos in order to transport them. The tea was stuffed into the hollow spaces of bamboos, and when a bamboo was cut open, the compressed tea would have formed into a cylindrical shape. The Dai people have sold such tea for many centuries to Tibetans and non-chinese ethnic people living in the northern regions. Later on, the tea sold by Chinese was also compressed but had a cubic shape. Compressed tea, first of all, was of high value and took less loading space, and secondly, it allowed to keep the micro substances such as vitamins, flavor and aroma inside the plant leaves. In addition, the chopped stems of tea leaves inside the compressed tea ensured that tannin, caffeine, and ether oil are sustained. Hence, such product was an essential nutrition for Mongolian and Tibetan ethnics who lived in harsh weather conditions in mountainous regions. 9

10 All of the religions of Tibet became widespread in Mongolia during Ikh (great) Mongol reign. At the time, some of the Buddhist religious books were translated into Mongolian. Nevertheless, Buddhism was not widespread among Mongolians until XVI century. However, during the period of Altan khan of Tumed, religious advocacy of Gelegba in Tibet was in need of a powerful political protection whereas Mongolians were looking for a strong religious influence. As a result of such a mutual interest, Altan khan of Tumed created a new rank for the religious leader of Tibet and proclaimed him as the Dalai Lama. Mongolians used to buy military horses from Tibet via Uigurs by trading Chinese tea made in Tibet and China. However, due to the newly established relationship with Tibet, Mongolians could not avoid breaking the ban imposed by Min dynasty prohibiting Tibet to engage in any trade, including tea, with Mongolia. In the 1500s, Min dynasty had traded the monopolized tea from Sichuan to buy Tibetan horses (395,000 head counts) intended for military purpose, and had placed a protection at the northern border to block the trade with the Northerners. In 1550, Altan khan of Tumed, commanding his horse army, broke through the northern border of China reaching up to Beijing, and in 1571 officially opened trade markets called Horse trade in six different locations. From this time on, Mongolians started trading their gelded horses for silver ingots and other commodities, and Chuulalt khaalga (gate) or the abovementioned Horse trade was opened in Khaalgan city. In the autumn of 1577, Chinese began permitting the trade of tea with Mongolia. Eventually, Khaalgan city became a key intersection of tea trade. Photo 2. Exit of the Great Wall 10

11 The tea road describe below accommodated transportation of tea during the XVII-XIX century. Tea was compressed into bundles since, as mentioned previously, the proven packing method allowed to endure long distance for many months and even throughout a year. Amongst the Chinese trade firms, Dashenkui firm the biggest trader with Mongolia organized his operations from the beginning aiming to engage in trade with Mongolians. The firm was able to operate in a very flexible manner for any business operations and transactions. At the time, from the wholesale tea trade stationed in Hankou, they transported bulks of tea which was preferred by Mongolians to their headquarters in the Huh Hot (city), where they made packing of the products and made logistical preparations on quantity and destination of orders. A single camel caravan for the transportation of tea consisted of 14 bases, and each of the bases consisted of 14 camels. 200 animals made up a one large caravan 196 camels with cargos and 4 horsemen, including one caravan leader and three assistants. At its peak, Dashenkui firm dispatched 15 large camel caravans for the transportation of tea, which suggests their firm, alone, had a total of 3,000 camels in circulation. Photo 3. Tea processing in central part of China 1870 One camel was loaded with two equally sized and weighed hunz 13, a basket woven with ropes and straw, tied on both sides of the camel. One hunz had a capacity to contain 16 units, 24 units, and 39 units of compressed tea. One hunz could fit approximately 140 pounds or 64 kilograms of tea. Since one camel carried 2 hunzs, it means it carried 13 Martha Avery The Tea Road China and Russia meet across the steppe Beijing, China Intercontinental Press, 2003, p

12 Photo 4. Caravan leaders 1912 Photo 5. Camel caravan carrying tea 1909 roughly 130 kg of load. A hunz was numbered according to the number of compressed it carried. Dashenkui firm focused on producing the numbers 24 and 39 since these were sizes of tea often ordered and purchased by Mongolians. When processing a 39- sized tea, the number 39, written in Chinese character, was dented on the tea during the compression. The tea numbered 39 was also used as a money measurement for trading goods. For Mongolians tea was equivalent to money, and they kept it to trade for other goods and products. This was part of the agenda by Chinese firms to ensure that tea is purchased again in the future. One tea was traded for one sheep, and if the sheep is unavailable at the time, the sheep was to be repaid later within a set deadline, which was recorded in the debt book of the Chinese firm. If the repayment is past due for over one year, 2 sheeps were to be repaid. If the sheep gives birth, the born lamb was also part of the repayment, and if the sheep cannot be repaid after one year, one sheep was added to the debt as an interest. Such strategy, to put Mongolians further in debt and poverty, was the basis of protests and uprising against Chinese Manchuria. One of the revolts is the Ard Ayush uprising of Tsetseg soum of Khovd aimag (province). When assembling a camel caravan, Mongolians did not set a standard quantity. The quantity of camels depended on the circumstances at the given time as well as the load conditions. Frequently, one camel caravan was assembled creating one base with three gals (fire) which consisted of 2-4 people and camels. Facts and data on tea trade A Russian historical factual book is kept in records, which depicts the tea trade from China to Russia via Mongolia. One of the records that raises an attention is the international trade information contained in the book developed by the World History and International Relations Department of the National University of Irkutsk. The book is 12

13 about the Yakov Parfenievich Shishmarev, the Russian consul in Mongolia during The book remarks that tea trade from China to Russia passing through Mongolia was rather significant in comparison with other commodities. 14 Camel caravans transported tea continuously throughout the year, and initially tea was transported by Mongolians from Khaalgan and traded in Khyahta. In 1865, the first Trade Representative s Office was established in Khuree to transport tea to Russia in smaller quantities. A few years later, other trade firms started establishing their own representatives and branches to transport and distribute the tea that arrived from Khaalgan in Khuree to Russia. Warehouse was built to store the tea. There were occasions when the warehouse kept thousand boxes of tea to be shipped to Russia. The table below illustrates the annual growth of transportation of tea to Russia, transiting through Mongolia. Photo 6. Tea in warehouse waiting for transportation from Khuree to Kyahta Quantity of tea transported from Mongolia to Russia (by years) Year Pure tea Compressed tea Total ,449 53,267 73, ,301 44,977 62, ,250 36,807 53, ,101 44,466 78, Russian Council in Mongolia, Report by Ya. P. Shishmarev about 25-year period of activities of Urga consulate, Irkutsk, 2001, p

14 ,547 98, , ,729 72, , ,806 94, , , , , , , , ,556 93, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,664 The table shows that transportation of tea was increasing almost every year. Previously, for shipping and transporting tea, Mongolians used to make measly incomes, whereas on the other hand, Chinese traders used to make most of the profits. As the books describes, transported of tea to Russia used to be done via a Chinese agent, who charged 10% fee for merely transporting the tea which arrived in Khaalgan from the Chinese trade house. The remaining portion (90%) used to be paid by other Photo 7. Kyahta in Photo 8. Mongolian-Russian border Maimaachin city commodities and only small portion was paid by money. The traveling Mongolians spent most of the money for motels (inns), feeding the camels and other costs, and at the end they returned with little money. However, since the establishment of the Russian trade house in Khuree, Mongolians were paid directly by the Russian traders. From the 14

15 payment, after purchasing necessary items, they remained with sizeable money, and afterwards continued to transporting their caravans 15. The table below reveals the compensations paid in Khuree for the transportation of tea from Khyahta to Russia. Year Compressed tea Rubles Copecks , , , , , , , , , , , , ,086, , , , , , Prior to development of sea transportation, the described trade road that passed through Mongolia was the shortest overland transportation route for the trade between Russia and China. In 1862, the Agreement to engage the two countries, Russia and China, in trade on the overland route 16 has been kept in the library of the Institution of History, the Mongolian Academy of Sciences. The contents of this agreement indicate that the purpose of the agreement was to put in order the disorganized manner the trades were conducted that took place in the Mongolian territory among Mongolian, Russian, and Chinese people, for instance, the risk of incidents nearby the capital city. transporting tea from unprivileged China s traders to Khyahta, and trading commodities and tea leaves to the Russian traders no unequal custom fees should be imposed on the northern border in Khaalgan.... This message also denotes that the agreement was meant to ensure fairness and equality in conduct of businesses. The agreement also specifies that customs should be regulated according to procedures. One of the phrases in the contents that raises an interest is the passing through grass road, which may have been referred to the where the caravan passed through. This may have also referred to the road where the grass and plants were transported through; nevertheless, the precise meaning of the phrase should be identified by future researchers. In essence, the archives documented during that time, which bring up numerous facts pointing to the significance of tea as a trade product. For instance, During the five-year period, years of the Bright State calendar, the 15 Russian Council in Mongolia, Report by Ya. P. Shishmarev about 25-year period of activities of Urga consulate, Irkutsk, 2001 p Agreement to engage the two countries, Russia and China, in trade on the overland route 1862, 20x Documented records of the Institution of History of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences 1 Ulaanbaatar,

16 amount of money and yellow tea collected in Setsen khan aimag from 20 points, 3 assistants, some of the families of suvargachin and hamnigan , Number of sheep, wood, coal as well as tea used by Amban Zuud of Manchuria. 1867, From the Tusheet khan aimag account, the receipt of deposit paid to many place from Da beis in the year 48 of the Sky Bestowment calendar, and the account specifying the price of tea and tobacco provided to the guards in the year The year 52 of the Sky Bestowment calendar. The sale of money, livestock, tea confiscated from the convicts to a crime etc.. These recounts suggest that tea was perceived largely as a money measuring tool rather than commodity. 17 Documented records of the Institution of History of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences 1 Ulaanbaatar,

17 4. About Tea road origin, development and its end In Mongolia Tea road existed even before XVII-XIX century the period, which we are considering in this publication. Tea was first grown and processed by Dai nationality in the southwestern part of Tibetan highlands and the tea horse road 18 was spread and continued throughout 13 centuries, the longest in the world history. Initially, Chinese in order to protect against nomads invasion were having a strong army and were using horses, as a main basis. Therefore, trade for exchange of horses for tea had started to emerge in Tibet. In Tibet in the 7 th century drinking tea had become a part of the daily life. So, tea, salt and other goods were transported from western part of China from Yunan and Szechuan provinces to Tibet for approximately 3000 kms on backs of horses, yaks, donkeys and muls as well as people passing through Himalayn mountains, taiga forests, mountain rivers with strong riffle and extreme arctic atmosphere. This tea horse trade road had played its role till the mid of 20 th century by fulfilling its mulitnational, cultural, traditional, economic and political interests. Tea horse road had been diverged into many trade roads, the one road of which has become tea road from Tibet to Mongolia and another one was according to some people the road through Shinjaan to Hovd aimag Bulgan soum. This road as discussed later according to stories of old people had been mixed with tea road started from Huh Hot in China going through Hovd aimag Bulgan and Mankhan soums. If Altan khan of Tumeds had initiated expansion of tea trade in Mongolia, another Altan khan 19 of Khotgoids hosted at Uvs nuur the Russian representatives by serving tea and giving of 200 boxes of tea as a present, thus enabling the upper circles of Russian society to familiarize with tea. Ever since, tea trade had expanded and since 1689 when Russian-Manchurian agreement, a so-called Nerchinsky agreement was signed tea road had been created and big Russian-Mongolian-Chinese trade road had been established. Though the road had several branches, the main road went through China Khaalgan, Mongolian Khuree and Russian Khyahta, Russian Nizhnii Novgorod and later on continued even to Saint-Petersburg. According to Karl Robinson in his book Mongolia Nomad Empire of Eternal Sky 20 along this tea road the Mongolian railroad was built. Therefore, it is interesting to know that the trade transport route, which was 18 Michael Freeman&Selena Ahmed Tea Horse Road: China s ancient trade road to Tibet River books, Bangkok, 2011, 340 pages 19 Ш.Б. Чимитдоржиев Взаимоотношения Монголии и России в XVII-XVIII в.в. Издательство Наука, Москва, 1978, стр Carl Robinson Mongolia Nomad Empire of Eternal Blue Sky Hong Kong, 2010, page

18 used and tested throughout centuries had become the main basis for road connecting Russia and China. In general in Mongolia under Manchurian Tsing dynasty ruling ( ) there were three big trade centers, which had started to exist after defeat of Oirads Galdan Boshigt to Manchus in 1757 and establishment of Manchurian administrative units in former Hovd city of Hovd aimag, Ulyastai city of Zavkhan aimag and Ulaanbaatar city or former Khuree. 21 Photo 9. Caravan leaders outside old Beijing Wall 1915 In those cities the Chinese trade companies were also concentrated. According to American researcher Martha Avery the Dashenkui company 22 had played a major role 21 Gabi Bamana, On the tea road (A journey into Mongolian life and culture), Ulaanbaatar, 2008, page Martha Avery The Tea Road China and Russia meet across the steppe Beijing, China Intercontinental Press, 2003, p

19 in the history of tea road and the company had implemented effectively its managerial knowledge of actual socio-political situation and existing market demand and used it to its best in the trade sector. At that time that company was leading in terms of volume amongst other nine big companies making trade with Mongolia. The company was purchasing tea in the city of Hankow, the main tea grower in China, and was bringing it to company headquarters in Huh Hot from where it was transported to different places with use of camel caravan, which was at their disposal and in addition to Huh Hot the company owned another big production or packaging center in the northern part of Bugat. The road between Huh Hot and Ulyastai was the main transport artery and this was mainly related to the fact that at that time the Manchu Governor was sitting in Ulyastai and was soliciting all affairs. This was due to the fact that the Dashenkui company had a special right to trade tea to Mongolia and later on to Russia (similar to license or special authorization in modern terms). In Ulyastai the Dashenkui company had two warehouses in the first one they were sorting out tea brought from Huh Hot to distribute it to different directions and the second one was used to store and pack goods purchased in Mongolia to transmit them to China inland through Huh Hot. From Ulyastai camel caravan was diverging and going into different directions, as Hovd, Khuree, Huh Hot and Haalgan and amongst them the route between Ulyastai and Huh Hot was the biggest trade junction of the Dashenkui company. From this trade junction tea was distributed to Russia through Kyahta, or from Tsagaannuur-Tashant through Tsarist Russia Biisk to Siberian cities and reaching to Saint-Petersburg. In XVII-XIX centuries so-called main tea road was going from China Chuulalt Gate upto Khuree and from there through Kyahta to Tsarist Russia, though this road was mostly supported by Chinese big companies originated from Shanhsi province and located in Huh Hot. As Martha Avery described in her book these companies were administering and managing tea orders and distribution to Chuulalt Gate, Khuree, Bugat, Ulyastai and Hovd. As N.E. Edinarkhova mentioned in her book Russians in Mongolia in XIX century the trade road 23, which connected Haalgan, Khuree and Kyahta had consisted of eight roads including a post road. This was also mentioned before. The road used by caravan did not have any signs and caravan leaders were people, who had a good knowledge of the country and they also taught newcomers and newcomers were learning about road with names of places and hills, they are passing through. The only signs on the road were big stones. The old people in Western Mongolia were talking that such a road with stone signs existed till very recently. Though camel caravan was coming from different ways the mandatory places they visited included Hovd aimag Mankhan soum, Hovd city, Ulyastai and Tsagaannuur 23 N. E. Edinarkhova, Russians in Mongolia: basic stages and forms of economic activities, Irkutsk, 2003, p

20 border point. At Tsagaannuur market Mongolian traders were making very active trade with Russians, while Russians were buying skins and hides, sheep, wolves skin, tea with roubles and were carrying goods to Russian Biisk 24 and transporting to other Siberian cities. Hovd aimag Mankhan soum was a place, where caravan stationed and a junction for three big tea roads. The first road was directed from current Huh Hot of Inner Mongolia to Hovd aimag, the second road was a western road from Hovd city to Xinjang (Guchyon), the third or eastern road was from Hovd city to Chuulalt haalga 25 passing through Zavkhan Ulyastai. Another direction out of above two roads was to Biisk of Altai border. Photo 10. Camel caravan leaders The father of well-known Mongolian historian, academician Dr. Sh. Bira 26 was Buugiin Shagdar. Originally he was from Tusheet Khan aimag Daichin beis Hoshuu, later on becoming the resident of Selenge aimag Bayan-Uul soum. His son recalled him as a tea road caravan leader. B. Shagdar had toiled hard and traded cattle for many years. He also transported goods and tea between Urguu and Kyahta with use of camel 24 Gabi Bamana, On the tea road (A journey into Mongolian life and culture), Ulaanbaatar, 2008, page Gabi Bamana, On the tea road (A journey into Mongolian life and culture), Ulaanbaatar, 2008, page Д. Хатанбаатар Хувь тавилангийн солибцол Билгийн чуулган, Улаанбаатар, 2008, тал 20

21 caravan and profited from this a lot showing an example of how tea road affected individual people lives. The pinnacle of tea road trade was 1820 and at that time tea was transported by camel caravan. This trade road had played its role even after victory of the Mongolian People s Revolution and continued till 1929 when the Dashenkui company and other Chinese traders were forced to cease activities in Mongolia. 4. Tea road where and in which direction was going? Thus to answer this question if we re-examine carefully the places through which tea road was passing through as mentioned in the previous chapter it can be seen that tea trade road went through two main directions. First road was Haalgan-Khuree-Kyahta mostly following the central road line going throughout the Mongolian territory. Second road was Huh Hot-Ulyastai-Hovd-Tsagaannuur-Biisk going through the western part of Mongolia. 21

22 Some researchers have written that there were even 3 roads. However, there is a certain point in considering this argument. The main reason is that tea traded from Huh Hot to Shinjaan, Tibet and Gansu directions was coming to Mongolia through Hovd aimag Bulgan soum and a part of it was going also to Russia. Even before tea road era a branch of tea horse road going to Tibet was coming to Mongolia through Shinjaan and Western Mongolia. Therefore, abovementioned 2 directions of tea road were chosen because they were not dependent on each other and one road was coming to Mongolia and another one was going to Russia. If we study carefully the historical process it can be seen that though there were many arterial roads along which camel caravans went similar to the ones, which we have now in rural area, Khuree, Ulyastai and Hovd used to be the most points, where tea trade was going in real terms. Though it is interesting to mention that there was no regular transportation going to above two directions. As for directions from Ulyastai to Khuree, or to Haalgan, Huh Hot and Kyahta transportation was going on a continuous basis. Therefore, it can be concluded that the tea road did not have well-defined clear boundaries but had quite a flexible trade road system with main directions going from central cities to any directions based on actual transportation needs. 22

23 6. Justification for tea road to become the main commodity of tourism When in 2000 Chinese writer Den Jiguan wrote his book Tea road, it has become a bestseller and many people have started to study this area. The writer has written himself that initially he had been collecting some materials as a person, who is interested in the topic, then he was quite amazed that people almost have forgotten about trade road connecting Asia and Europe, which is not less significant than Silk road and existed for 3 centuries until very recently. Russians know well about tea road and when they talk about they always recall Kyahta. In July of 2007 at the invitation of City Mayor of Kyahta 14 researchers and artists headed by Inner Mongolian famous producer Van Xingmin visited Kyahta and participated at the first Tea road international art festival. In 2008 when Van Xingmin participated at Euro-Asian film festival and presented his documentaries series of Dashenkui and Tea road, many researchers from different countries were very much interested and attracted. In 2000 after publication of Den Jiguan s book Tea road the Russian Tourism Ministry sent people from the Tourism Ministry of Buryatia to Huh Hot. In Huh Hot they met with writer Den Jiguan and discussed the issues of opening a new Tea road tourism route. In 2007 the official delegation from the Republic of Buryatia and the Kyahta Tourism Department headed by Lubovi Sambuevna visited Janchkhuu, Haalgan, Taiyuan and Huh Hot and made a research on opening the tourist route with inclusion of these places. At the same time the delegates of China international exhibition went to Kyahta to study the topic and decided to organize the World tea culture tour event. They met with Vice-Minister of Culture of the Russian Republic and received his support to organize in December in Moscow and Sankt-Petersburg tea culture exhibition and tea ceremony. On internet website the advertisement is available now inviting to visit tea road connecting China-Mongolia-Russia. The Buryats tourism program proposing tea road tour is becoming very popular in recent years. It may be also recalled that the Taiwanese tourist company made a proposal to the MIAT Office in Beijing to organize flight tours for its own tourists. It is interesting to mention that though officials from tourist organizations in Russia and China discuss precisely about tea road tours and new tourist routes, Mongolia is not 23

24 included in these discussions, a big part of territory through which tea road practically was passing through. As currently two out of three countries are working actively together to recreate a historic Tea road and make it a tourism commodity we consider it is very important that Mongolia should be a part and have a certain benefit out of this process. Moreover, it is possible to establish new tourist routes and enrich existing tourist facilities by recreating historical places, establishing tourist camps and introducing Mongolian lifestyle, which show Mongolian tea ceremony and other Mongolian traditions in ger hotels, organizing short camel tours, or arrange camping tours with fires with imitation of caravan leaders travel, putting stone signs on travel route and showing it to tourists, organizing shows and training for processing of dairy products, showing Mongolian traditional monasteries, wildlife and landscapes in tea trade centers such, as Ulaanbaatar, Hovd city, Ulyastai with addition of three places such, as Russian Kyahta, Sainshand, Erlyan cities as well as Altanbulag, Sainshand and Zamyn-Uud, which are close to border with Russia and China. Also it is important to put under protection historic monuments such, as stone man petroglyphic paintings and scripts and include them as a part of tea road historic route. 24

25 7. Conclusions of researchers 1. Mongolians were using tea since existence of the Mongolian Empire and they were also actively involved in advertising to spread and trade tea. 2. Though there was no evidence that Mongolians used tea in the XIII-XIV centuries according to the Secret History of Mongols some historical documents and records, personal reminiscences have become the important materials for this study. 3. Researchers consider that the earlier experience of Mongolians to use traditional plants as tea had contributed greatly to spread of tea culture amongst Mongolians. 4. As a trade commodity tea had played a special role in trade between three countries Mongolia, Russia and China and sometimes was a main mean of the payment. 5. Tea road issue was closely interrelated to trade and economic relations with two neighbors. This had contributed greatly to cultural exchanges between peoples of three countries. 6. The Mongolian vast steppe served as a bridge for tea trade between Russia and China. Foreign researchers though they underline the role of Mongolia in tea trade as important sometimes they consider tea road going through Mongolia as having a secondary and subsidiary importance. 7. Russian researchers wrote that there were 8 tea roads and 2-3 road branches. At that time tea road was not the term used by Mongolians. However, archive materials have evidence that Mongolians used instead the term of plant road for trade road of tea and other goods. This term should be considered for the future research work. 8. It should be mentioned that like nowadays people are profiting from trade using railroad in old times Mongolian caravan leaders were trading tea and making for living. 25

26 9. Before start of the sea transportation trade route through Mongolia was the shortest route connecting Asia and Europe. 10. The main types of transport used along Tea road were camel caravan and oxcart we should always say camel caravan and other types of transport. Therefore, it should be also mentioned that since Tibetan highlands were too difficult to carry tea Mongolian steppes compared to them were quite easy and were very picturesque. 11. Especially nowadays when tourism is rapidly developing Tea road route crossing Mongolia could be upgraded and may become one of new professional tourist commodities. 12. Mongolia has its own tea culture, thus a special international scientific symposium and exhibition should be organized by Tea road Mongolian participants, which could consider the issues of interrelation of Mongolian tea ceremony and culture with other countries tea traditions. 26

27 8. References 1. Martha Avery The Tea Road China and Russia meet across the steppe Beijing, China Intercontinental Press, Wang Jing, Chinese Tea Culture, Foreign Language Press, Beijing, B. Chimitdorjiev, Relationship between Mongolia and Russia (XVII-XVIII bb), Moscow, N. E. Edinarkhova, Russians in Mongolia: basic stages and forms of economic activities, Irkutsk, Russian Council in Mongolia, Report by Ya. P. Shishmarev about 25-year period of activities of Urga consulate, Irkutsk, Ц. Насанбалжир, Ар Монголоос Манж Чин Улсад залгуулж байсан алба \ \, Улаанбаатар, С. Иччинноров, Түүхийн үнэн мөрөөр, Улаанбаатар, Их Монгол улсын зам харилцаа, өртөө, Улаанбаатар, Д. Хатанбаатар Хувь тавилангийн солибцол Билгийн чуулган, Улаанбаатар, 2008, 10. Gabi Bamana, On the tea road (A journey into Mongolian life and culture), Ulaanbaatar, Carl Robinson Mongolia Nomad Empire of Eternal Blue Sky Hong Kong, Michael Freeman&Selena Ahmed Tea Horse Road: China s ancient trade road to Tibet River books, Bangkok, 2011, 13.Documented records of the Institution of History of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences 1 Ulaanbaatar, Wang Miao & Shi Baoxiu Tracing Marco Polo s China Route China Intercontinental Press, Beijing,