Although Mongols are racially similar to Koreans, their folk music is vastly different, due to the difference in history and environment. Surprisingly, the Mongols do not have a wide range of folk songs. This may be because nomads do not often get the chance to hold gatherings, except on special occasions such as weddings. The only song that they do sing at events such as weddings is the urtyn duu, which means ‘long song’. The lyrics of urtyn duu sing of vast grasslands, blue skies, horses roaming grasslands, and nostalgia for the hometown and family that they have left behind.\n\nAlthough the Mongols do not have many songs, they do have an interesting repertoire of sounds to call their livestock, to coax animals, and to herd cattle. These sounds exist in a pre-song stage and symbolize the coexistence of man and beast in the grasslands of Mongolia.\n\nMongolian music contains many sounds that resemble the wind blowing in the grassland. This can be found in the overtone singing technique of khoomii that produces whistling sounds in the throat and the tsuur flute played with deliberate wind noises. An instrument called huur played by the Tsaatan tribe who raise reindeer by Khuvsgul Lake also produces the sound of wind.\nMongolian music also contains the epic genre. These epics are accompanied by simple two-stringed instruments and usually discuss the greatness of nature as a theme.

Ladakh lies in the high mountains of the Himalayas, in Jammu and Kashmir, northwest India. Although many roads are being built, it still remains one of the most isolated regions in the world. As Ladakh differs greatly from the rest of India in all aspects—history, ethnic makeup, religion, and culture—the people of Ladakh will never say call themselves Indians.\n\nThe people of Ladakh farm wheat using water from the melting snowcaps of the high mountains. They lead a simple life, farming and raising livestock in the fields. They sing while working in the fields, just like Korean people used to in the past. In autumn, you can hear songs sung while cutting grass, harvesting wheat, and plowing the fields. In nomadic regions, there are songs sung to call livestock and while processing dairy. Ladakh was where I was able to hear the most work songs during this trip to collect the sounds of Asia.\n\nMost Ladakhis practice Lama Buddhism from Tibet. They are a very pious people, whose faith can be seen not just in the numerous monasteries and stone pagodas but in the songs they sing. Praise of Buddha and revered monks can often be found in their work songs.\nOn the other hand, the center of the Zanskar Valley, just south of Ladakh, is occupied by Muslims. In this region, folk songs are difficult to come by.