Mongolia and Inner Mongolia: what's the difference and why do we use only Mongolian cashmere?

Although their names are similar, Mongolia and Inner Mongolia are two distinct places.

Mongolia is an independent, landlocked country located between Russia and China. Its capital is Ulaanbaatar, and its vast landscapes include steppe, mountains and the Gobi Desert.

Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region within China. It lies directly south of the country of Mongolia and includes grasslands, deserts and important pastoral communities. Its capital is Hohhot.

At Hero Cashmere, we choose cashmere sourced from Mongolia. Our fibre begins its journey with Mongolian goat herders, then moves on to our suppliers who make our garments. We even use photography services in Mongolia (and this includes booking local models and make-up artists too). We try to engage as much as possible in Mongolian economic life and purchasing Mongolian-origin cashmere helps sustain economic activity in Mongolia, where herding communities depend on livestock for their livelihoods and where cashmere is an important national industry. By contrast, cashmere sourced from Inner Mongolia supports producers, processors and manufacturers within China.

The difference is therefore not simply a question of quality: It is a question of origin, transparency and where value is created. When you choose Mongolian-origin cashmere, you are choosing a fibre connected to Mongolia’s landscapes, herding traditions and local economy. When you choose Inner Mongolian cashmere, you are supporting a supply chain rooted in China’s Inner Mongolia region.

At the same time, country of origin alone does not guarantee responsible production. Cashmere goats in both Mongolia and Inner Mongolia depend on fragile grassland ecosystems, and responsible sourcing should consider animal welfare, grazing pressure, fibre quality, fair purchasing practices and traceability.

For us, origin is part of the story behind the garment. We want customers to know where our cashmere is from, why that origin matters and how their purchase connects to the people and places behind the fibre.

Hero Cashmere: Mongolian-origin cashmere, thoughtfully made.

Tov, Mongolia.