yurt

A yurt, also known in Mongolia as a ger, is a portable, circular dwelling traditionally used by nomadic peoples of Central Asia. The design emphasizes easy transportation, rapid assembly, and efficient thermal performance, suitable for variable seasons and mobile lifestyles. While strongly associated with Mongolia and the Central Asian steppes, yurts have also been used across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and other regions, and today appear worldwide as cultural exhibits, guest lodges, or seasonal housing.

The typical yurt consists of a collapsible wooden frame with a circular lattice wall, a roof made of evenly spaced poles, and a central compression ring that anchors the roof. The lattice wall provides structure and flexibility; the roof poles radiate from the crown to the ring, forming a conical roof. The outer covering usually includes layers of sheep-wool felt for insulation and a weatherproof canvas or fabric layer on top. An interior wooden floor or raised platform may be installed, along with shelves and sleeping mats. A stout wooden door frames the entrance, often oriented toward a preferred cardinal direction.

Yurts are designed for rapid disassembly and transport, typically set up by a small team. Sizes vary, but many range from about 4 to 6 meters in diameter, with larger configurations used for extended families. In modern contexts, yurts are still used by traditional herding communities and have become popular in tourism, eco-lodges, and as alternative housing, sometimes incorporating contemporary conveniences such as reinforced insulation, electricity, and wood or gas stoves for heating.