The relay station system of Mongolia, established by the Qing Dynasty, facilitated the movement of people and information on a large-scale. Many people were mobilized to maintain this relay station system. Therefore, the relay station functioned as a hub for both people and information.
There are archival materials regarding the Altai route, which was the primary line in this system at the time. In contrast, there are limited sources and studies that have examined the fourteen stations established on the southbound route linking Ikh Khuree to the Altai route. Although this route served as a branch line, it generated at least as much traffic as the primary line.
This study analyzes the relay station system, particularly the Ikh Khuree route, from various perspectives, by examining a wide range of sources, including official documents as well as maps, travelers’ journals, and findings from our own field work. We have been able to uncover basic information regarding these fourteen stations; specifically, their names, how they were constructed, what types of terrain were used, and how they changed over time.
We have also found that this route, while nominally a branch line, was managed as a vital line and was systematically operated over a long period of time.
Our research also shows that every station occupied a spacious area and that each station was also accompanied by various fixed facilities, such as a temple and a warehouse. The relay station was actively used until the 1940’s. It continued to be a stationary site of importance in the nomadic society.
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