History of Altay

Foundation and First Mentions

The administrative centre of the Govi-Altai Aimag, the city of Altai (often referred to by locals as Yesönbulag), has a relatively young history inextricably linked to the administrative division of modern Mongolia. The official date of the aimag's formation is considered to be 1940. Initially, the regional centre was relocated several times until it was finally established in its current location. The emergence of the city was driven by the necessity to create a stable command point for the vast territories at the junction of the Gobi Desert and the mountain range.

Key Development Factors

The development of the city was determined not so much by ancient trade routes, but by state planning and the specific geography of the region:

• Geographical Location: The city is situated in the high-mountain steppe at the foot of the Mongolian Altai ranges. This location was chosen due to the presence of water sources (the name "Yesönbulag" translates as "nine springs"), which is critically important in an arid climate.
• Administrative Role: The status of the aimag capital turned a small settlement into a centre of attraction for officials, doctors, and teachers, which stimulated the construction of permanent buildings and infrastructure.
• Transport Hub: The city became a connecting link between remote soums (districts) and the central part of the country, ensuring logistics and supplies.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the first decades of its existence, Altai represented a classic example of the transition from a nomadic lifestyle to a settled one. The city's economy was initially built on servicing the agricultural sector, as livestock farming was (and remains) the foundation of life in the region. Raw material processing enterprises, veterinary services, and trading bases were concentrated here.

Cultural life in the early period formed around the first schools and clubs, which became centres of enlightenment for the nomadic population visiting the city for business. The architectural appearance combined traditional yurts with emerging Soviet-type brick structures, symbolising the beginning of urbanisation in the harsh conditions of the Govi-Altai.

City Development Timeline

The history of the city of Altai (Yesönbulag) is inextricably linked with the administrative establishment of the region. Below are the key dates that defined the development of the capital of the Govi-Altai Aimag.

• 1940 — Official formation of the Govi-Altai Aimag, creating the prerequisites for founding a permanent administrative centre.
• 1941 — The aimag centre was moved to the Yesönbulag locality, where the modern city began to expand.
• 1945 — Opening of the first comprehensive school, laying the foundation for the education system in the region.
• 1955 — Construction of the first local hospital, ensuring the transition to modern medicine for the inhabitants of the steppes.
• 1959 — Start of regular air services, connecting the remote region with the capital and other cities.
• 1965 — Opening of the Music and Drama Theatre, which became the main cultural hub of the city.
• 1970s — Period of active urban planning: construction of brick residential houses and administrative buildings.
• 1982 — Launch of the Local History Museum, where unique exhibits of the region's flora, fauna, and history began to be collected.
• 1992 — Adoption of the new constitution, cementing the modern administrative status of the city in democratic Mongolia.
• 2008 — Commissioning of the Taishir Hydroelectric Power Station nearby, solving the city's long-standing power supply problems.
• 2011 — Large-scale reconstruction of Altai Airport, including paving the runway to accommodate modern aircraft.
• 2018 — Opening of a new sports complex, promoting sports among the youth.
• 2020s — Implementation of projects for urban environment improvement, landscaping, and renewal of the road network.

Key Stages of Transformation

The development of the city of Altai followed a path of gradual transformation from a small nomad settlement into a modern urbanised centre. Several fundamental milestones can be highlighted that radically changed the appearance and economy of the city:

• Gaining Administrative Status. The selection of the Yesönbulag locality as the aimag centre was the starting point for capital construction. This decision led to the concentration of administrative resources and the appearance of the first government institutions, turning a seasonal campsite into a permanent city.
• Creation of a Water Supply System. In the arid climate of the Gobi, harnessing the sources of the "Nine Springs" (Yesönbulag) was of vital importance. The construction of a reliable water intake system allowed the city to grow and provide water not only for the population but also for industrial needs.
• Transport Integration and Airport Opening. The launch of regular air services connected the remote region with the rest of Mongolia. This event had colossal economic significance, accelerating the delivery of cargo, mail, and the movement of specialists, which previously took weeks of travel by land.
• Formation of a Cultural Core. The opening of the Music and Drama Theatre and the Local History Museum played a key role in preserving intangible heritage. The city became not just an administrative unit, but also a centre of attraction for the creative intelligentsia of the region.
• Energy Breakthrough (Taishir HPP). The commissioning of the hydroelectric power station on the Zavkhan River was a turning point in the city's modern history. Stable energy supply solved the perennial problem of electricity shortages, giving a powerful impulse to the development of small businesses and improving the living conditions of citizens.
• Modernisation of the Urban Environment. In recent decades, the transition from chaotic development to planned urban planning, paving of roads, and improvement of public spaces have significantly increased the comfort of living, bringing Altai's infrastructure closer to the standards of the country's major cities.

Urban Planning Features and Architectural Appearance

The architecture of the city of Altai (Yesönbulag) does not boast ancient fortresses or opulent Renaissance palaces, as the city was founded in the mid-20th century. Its appearance is a clear illustration of Soviet urban planning adapted to the harsh conditions of the Mongolian steppe, combined with the traditional nomadic way of life. The city is clearly zoned: a compact administrative centre with permanent buildings is surrounded by vast blocks of yurt districts (ger khoroolol).

Architectural Styles and Eras

Three main directions can be traced in the city's development, corresponding to the stages of its growth:

• Socialist Classicism and Functionalism (1950–1980s). This is the period of the formation of the "stone" centre. Administrative buildings, schools, and cultural institutions were built according to standard designs characteristic of the socialist bloc countries. This style is characterised by symmetry, restrained decor, the use of brick and concrete, as well as the presence of columns and porticos in main public buildings.
• Traditional Architecture (Timeless). Yurt districts remain an integral part of the urban landscape. This is not just a residential sector, but a unique phenomenon of Mongolian urbanism, where mobile dwellings (gers) coexist with wooden fences and outbuildings, creating a distinct atmosphere.
• Modern Pragmatism (since the 1990s). In the post-socialist period, an era of private construction began in Mongolia. New shopping centres, banks, and private houses appeared, distinguished by the use of modern materials (glass, metal siding) and bright colour schemes that enliven the desert landscape.

Iconic Buildings and Districts

Despite its small size, the city has several objects that form its recognisable silhouette:

• Music and Drama Theatre. A striking example of Soviet cultural architecture. The building with a massive façade and columns dominates the city centre, serving as the main architectural landmark and the venue for all significant events.
• Central Square. The heart of the city, around which the main administrative buildings are grouped. Spacious and open, it was designed for parades and public gatherings, which is typical for cities planned in the mid-20th century.
• Local History Museum. The museum building, although modest in size, stands out for its neatness and functionality, preserving the spirit of the 1980s era when it was opened to visitors.
• Altai Airport. After reconstruction, the terminal building acquired a more modern look, becoming a kind of gateway to the city, welcoming guests with a renovated façade.

Distinguished Personalities

The history of the city of Altai and the entire region is inextricably linked with the names of people who made an invaluable contribution to the development of Mongolia. Among them are statesmen, war heroes, and masters of culture, whose heritage is immortalised in the names of the city's streets, squares, and monuments.

• Ayuushiin Janchiv — Hero of the Mongolian People's Republic. A participant in the War of Liberation of 1945, who showed exceptional courage. The central square of the city is named after him, where a monument to the hero is installed, symbolising bravery and self-sacrifice in the name of the homeland.
• Lodongiin Tüdev — A distinguished writer, journalist, Hero of Labour, and State Prize laureate. One of the most influential intellectuals of the country in the 20th century. In the 1940s, he studied at the secondary school of the city (then Yesönbulag), which became an important stage in his development as an educator and public figure.
• Puntsagiin Jasrai — A prominent politician, Prime Minister of Mongolia (1992–1996). A native of the Govi-Altai Aimag, he played a key role in the country's transition to a market economy during the difficult period of the 1990s. The city honours his memory as one of the wisest statesmen of the region.
• Choigiin Sangidorj — A famous composer and Honoured Artist. Author of the music for the song "Zulai Tsagaan Altai" (Summit of the White Altai), which became the unofficial anthem of the region. A monument dedicated to this melody and its creators is installed in the city centre, highlighting the musicality of the local residents.
• Punsalmaagiin Ochirbat — The first President of democratic Mongolia (1990–1997). Although born in a neighbouring region, his roots and family history are closely intertwined with Govi-Altai. He frequently visited the city and contributed to its development during his presidency, remaining an honoured and respected countryman.
• Mishigiin Tsedendorj — A renowned poet and writer, laureate of the State Prize. His lyrical works celebrate the beauty of his native land and the mountains of the Mongolian Altai, forming an important part of the literary heritage studied in local schools and libraries.