Since 2014, Photographer Paul Cox has been dedicated to capturing portraits of life in Mongolia's poor city districts. Scroll through the gallery and read his thoughts on his work: <br /><br />"It's winter, -15 degrees Celsius, and his pure woolen boots were there to keep him warm. He was selling wood. The winter of Ulaanbaatar is very polluted with all the coal and wood burning."
Beard —
Since 2014, Photographer Paul Cox has been dedicated to capturing portraits of life in Mongolia's poor city districts. Scroll through the gallery and read his thoughts on his work:

"It's winter, -15 degrees Celsius, and his pure woolen boots were there to keep him warm. He was selling wood. The winter of Ulaanbaatar is very polluted with all the coal and wood burning."
Paul Cox
"Wrestling, Mongolia's national sport, is encouraged from a very young age, and top wrestlers are revered."
Line Up —
"Wrestling, Mongolia's national sport, is encouraged from a very young age, and top wrestlers are revered."
Paul Cox
"Here, a wrestler prepares mentally for a fight."
Green —
"Here, a wrestler prepares mentally for a fight."
Paul Cox
"Locals smoke cigars in an Ulaanbaatar market."
Snuff Bottles —
"Locals smoke cigars in an Ulaanbaatar market."
Paul Cox
"A grandmother and grandson share a warm moment after singing traditional folk songs."
Affection —
"A grandmother and grandson share a warm moment after singing traditional folk songs."
Paul Cox
"Chain smoking at the age of 88, she is the grandmother of the woman who founded Tsolmon Ireesui Foundation, the charity I worked with."
Smoking Granny —
"Chain smoking at the age of 88, she is the grandmother of the woman who founded Tsolmon Ireesui Foundation, the charity I worked with."
courtesy paul cox
"Mongolians have an incredible relationship with their animals and land. This bond is essential for everyone's survival, therefore they have a unique way of killing their animals."
Pink Socks —
"Mongolians have an incredible relationship with their animals and land. This bond is essential for everyone's survival, therefore they have a unique way of killing their animals."
courtesy paul cox
Cox took this picture during his three-day journey to photograph the Tsataan(reindeer people) who live near the Siberian border.
Flowers —
Cox took this picture during his three-day journey to photograph the Tsataan(reindeer people) who live near the Siberian border.
courtesy paul cox
"I never asked him to pose like this, the control over his horse is evident by the slack reins."
Poster Boy —
"I never asked him to pose like this, the control over his horse is evident by the slack reins."
Paul Cox
"These twins and their mom basically appeared in the middle of nowhere, when my vehicle broke down on the way to the Siberian border. Sometimes the opportunities to photograph just come to us."
Twins —
"These twins and their mom basically appeared in the middle of nowhere, when my vehicle broke down on the way to the Siberian border. Sometimes the opportunities to photograph just come to us."
courtesy paul cox
"The condition of the Ger (a traditional portable home) is often a good indicator as to whether the family is coping or not."
Torch —
"The condition of the Ger (a traditional portable home) is often a good indicator as to whether the family is coping or not."
courtesy paul cox
"This is one of my favorite photographs because my interaction with this boy was very engaging. He is just a child, but he did not smile once, and looked at me with the eyes of an adult."
Umbrella —
"This is one of my favorite photographs because my interaction with this boy was very engaging. He is just a child, but he did not smile once, and looked at me with the eyes of an adult."
courtesy paul cox
"The photograph I took of him shows a wolf carpet on the wall, which is said to be used for warmth, but also as a symbol of protection. To me it speaks of the responsibility of the viewer and as a society to look after our future."
Red Hero 3 —
"The photograph I took of him shows a wolf carpet on the wall, which is said to be used for warmth, but also as a symbol of protection. To me it speaks of the responsibility of the viewer and as a society to look after our future."
courtesy paul cox
"This grandmother looks after these two beautiful brothers while their mothers seek work. It was a dress rehearsal for school the following day."
Back to School —
"This grandmother looks after these two beautiful brothers while their mothers seek work. It was a dress rehearsal for school the following day."
Paul Cox
"Here, a power station heats water and circulates warmth to the city -- like some massive radiator center heating system. At -20 degrees Celsius, water needs warming in order to circulate. The pollution is evident, and a stark contrast to the clean environment that is widely seen outside of the city."
"Here, a power station heats water and circulates warmth to the city -- like some massive radiator center heating system. At -20 degrees Celsius, water needs warming in order to circulate. The pollution is evident, and a stark contrast to the clean environment that is widely seen outside of the city."
paul cox
"I believe if every decision is made with respect, people will more likely sense it and feel comfortable in your presence. Perhaps this is why these family vignettes are so moving and personal to me."
"I believe if every decision is made with respect, people will more likely sense it and feel comfortable in your presence. Perhaps this is why these family vignettes are so moving and personal to me."
paul cox