The weather ranges from 20 F in the winter to 70 F in the summer. Most Oirat live as herders, and many are nomadic. During the warmer summer months, they live on the grasslands in circular shaped tents made of felt. They move every two to six months to provide fresh pasture for their animals. In the winter, they inhabit mud or brick houses.
Herders raise horses, sheep, goats, cattle, yaks, and camels.
There are also farmers among the Oirat who live in permanent homes. They raise grain, corn, hay, mustard seed, and sunflowers. A typical diet is dependent upon the products they raise and includes grains, tea, dairy products, and mutton. Soon we started passing heard of horses and camels. I started seeing the white circular tents that the Mongols live in.