The paper deals with the role and place of mentality in the history and culture of the Khitan who created Liao state (907 – 1125). The author shows that mentality can be considered a form of self-culture, on the basis of which "high" culture develops eventually. It creates the people’s picture of the world, and the necessary set of ideas and concepts for the development of society. A particular image of a representative of the people (Khitan) is developed. Interaction of mental and "high" culture in Khitan society goes all over the history of this nation. Decisive synthesis of these principles in the Khitan empire comes in the form of "Renaissance". Of particular importance for the history is the relationship of Khitan folk culture and mental substrates of the Chinese culture and other neighboring cultures. Millennial experience of the Khitan culture shows for at least as high a level of development as in sedentary societies.