How to Assemble a Mongolian Yurt

A Weekend in a Yurt with Jo and Mel!

As you may have noticed, our unique accommodation site in Seine-et-Marne offers different types of lodging: cottages, tiny houses, as well as authentic Mongolian yurts.

In our recent blog articles, we explained how we built our own tiny houses and how to make them fully self-sufficient on the smallest possible budget.

But many questions also arise about our yurts. We own four yurts located on two different sites. The first two are in the countryside near the village of Bannost-Village. This calm and serene location hosts two beautiful Mongolian yurts, accommodating 4 and 6 people respectively.

Our other two yurts are also in the Paris region, located by our pond, “Les Temps Perchés.” Both are suitable for 5 guests.

We imported our yurts from Mongolia because we value authenticity. We could have built them ourselves, like our tiny houses, but we didn’t have the proper materials or the Mongolian craftsmanship skills.

If, like us, you’ve decided to import your own Mongolian yurt to add charm to your outdoor space and enjoy unforgettable moments with family or friends, here are some tips:

Steps Before Building Your Mongolian Yurt

Our Supplier

We are very demanding when it comes to the quality of our unique accommodations. Authenticity is important, but the comfort of our visitors is just as crucial.

We spent many weeks finding the ideal partner and eventually found: Gandan Yourte!

An amazing team that works respecting Mongolian craftsmanship with strong ethics.

What won us over: regular checks to ensure Mongolian workers have good working conditions and that no children are involved in making the yurts. Of high quality and made respecting the Mongolian people, we 100% recommend their yurts.

Ordering Our Four Yurts

Placing the order was simple. Once ordered from our supplier, it took about 6 months to receive them. Once received, we had to assemble them ourselves. A crucial tip: choose your season carefully!

Indeed, the rainy season or cold season are not ideal for assembling yurts and working comfortably. We learned this the hard way!

So, pick your season better than we did! Additionally, we disassemble our pond yurts before each cold season (so if you want to spend Christmas at Les Temps Perchés, it will be either in our tiny house or your van with our camping spots!) but we leave the Bannost yurts assembled during winter.

Choosing the Site

Your yurt must be set up on stable, level ground! Otherwise, you may find your floor unstable, with elements rolling or falling. The floor must also be perfectly leveled to prevent uneven settling over time, which could cause structural issues or door misalignment.

Assembling Your Mongolian Yurt

We decided to proceed step by step and include photos of our assembly to make it easier for you.

It’s important to follow this order so your yurt is as stable and solid as possible. Yurt components are designed to be assembled and interlocked. Don’t worry if parts seem unstable separately—they balance perfectly once connected.

The strength of yurts comes from their own weight anchoring them to the ground, becoming extremely sturdy once all elements are in place. These steps are general; we share tips from our many assemblies and disassemblies.

Each yurt may have specificities, so always refer to your yurt’s manual and complement it with our advice. Another tip: leave enough space around the yurt during assembly—you’ll often walk around the floor!

The Floor of Your Mongolian Yurt

The floor must be circular to properly fold the canvas, which is essential to limit moisture inside the yurt.

It must be installed on flat, level ground—take your time to ensure this critical step is done correctly!

The floor diameter should be slightly larger than the yurt itself, about 15–20 cm extra.

You can choose a simple floor or an insulated one depending on the intended use (living or rental).

Walls and Door of Your Yurt

Once your floor is installed, it’s time for the walls and door. Tip: place the central ring in the middle of the floor before installing walls, or it will be impossible to fit it later.

Assemble the door and khanas (wood lattice walls) in a perfect circle. Ensure the door is flush with the floor to prevent water from pooling. If your yurt isn’t perfectly aligned, don’t worry—this allows the canvas to fold easily under the floor. Place the convex side of each wall outward, starting with the first wall to the left of the door, then continue with the others.

The last wall, called the “Khatavch,” fits to the right of the door. Always tie walls securely so the structure remains stable.

Pillars and Central Ring

Tip: position the central ring in the middle of the floor before raising the walls. Place the rings and ropes on it to hold the pillars.

Once installed, you can raise the structure and fix it to the door and walls. Pillars can be attached with simple straps or screws. Center the central ring and ensure pillars are level. Tighten ropes to secure everything.

Poles (Javelots)

It’s time to install the yurt poles. First, everyone outside! During installation, poles can slip and fall. Detached, they are independent, but once installed together, they become very stable. To prevent injuries: everyone out of the circle!

Start with 4 poles: one at the door, one opposite, then right and left, dividing the circle evenly. Count the holes in the central ring to match wall notches. Fill each quarter symmetrically. Each pole must be fixed to the wall and kept under tension.

Congratulations, the base structure of your yurt is complete!

Inner Canvas

Place the first canvas by climbing through the central ring using a step stool. Spread and attach it with the provided straps and ropes, especially around the ring. You can sit on the ring—it’s stable.

Insulating Felt Panels

These insulate walls and roof. Start at the left of the door, beginning with wall panels, then the roof panels. Roof panels are heavy and rest on their own weight. Once finished, knots and ropes will loosen slightly, and the felt will settle naturally. Secure wall felts to prevent slipping.

Outer Canvas and Ropes

The large outer canvas waterproofs the yurt. Seal it with ropes around the door and yurt circumference. Tighten ropes for stability. Finally, install the opaque and optional crystal cap to finish and secure waterproofing.

Tips During Yurt Assembly

• Seal openings with your chosen material: tar tape, silicone, bathroom sealant, expanding foam… whatever works, seal it!
• Feel free to tighten everything—the yurt is flexible! The tighter the assembly, the longer it will last.
• You need several people to assemble a yurt. Don’t hesitate to ask friends for help!