Best Things to do in Mongolia

Mongolia, a country with vast territory, long history and rich culture, provides desolate Gobi Desert, mountains with perpetual snows, sparkling lakes, ancient monasteries and lush endless steppes. As a large country with spectacular nature scenery, you can witness the wild and original beauty of Mongolia. When you walking on the desert, you can really feel the vastness of desert and the charms of nature.

 

There are many things to do in Mongolia, to enjoy the picturesque scenery, to experience the nomadic culture and to have fun of horseback riding or camel riding.

 

 

 

Experience the Naadam Festival

Naadam is one of the largest and most significant festivals in Mongolia. Naadam means games or entertainment in Mongolian. It is also one of the best time to visit Mongolia since the summer here is not very hot. Naadam is celebrated every year in Mongolia from July 11 to July 13. The Mongolian nomadic culture, performing arts, national cuisine and folk music can be experienced during the Naadam Festival.

 

The main games of Naadam are horse racing, wrestling and archery. Besides, singing and dancing, Mongolian people celebrated their traditional and national Naadam Festival. The Naadam is the time when the Mongolian Steppe is the most beautiful, the cows and sheep are fattest and the kumiss is the most delicious.

 

At the Naadam, you can feel the passion and friendliness of Mongolian people. And the Naadam is held in Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar. Except for Naadam, you can spend your time to explore the Ulaanbaatar.

 

 

Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar, also known as Ulan Bator, is the capital and largest city of Mongolia. It is located in the north-central part of Mongolia. As the capital city, Ulaanbaatar is the political, economic, cultural and transportation center of Mongolia.

 

In Ulaanbaatar, you can visit the Sukhbaatar Square, which is also called Genghis Khan Square. It is used for holding ceremonies in important festivals, and the welcoming ceremonies of foreign heads of state and heads of government. And at this square you are possible to meet some couples taking wedding photos.

 

Gandantegchinlen Monastery, also known as Gandan Khiid, is an important Tibetan Buddhism temple in Mongolia. A giant gilding Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Statue with 4 hands stands in the monastery. And you can feed the doves at the monastery.

 

Zaisan Memorial, also known as Friendship Monument, is located in the south of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. To memorize the unknown soldiers and heroes in the World War II and the friendship between the Mongolia and the Soviet Union, the Zaisan Memorial was built by Russians. Here you can have a panoramic view of Ulaanbaatar.

 

Gorkhi-Terelj National Park is a popular attraction in Ulaanbaatar. Here you can visit the Ariyapala Temple, explore the Turtle Rock, ride a horse and enjoy the spectacular nature scenery as beautiful as the scenes in the films.

 

Ulaanbaatar

 

 

Explore the Gobi Desert

The Gobi Desert is in the south of Mongolia. Gobi is one of the huge desert and semi-desert areas in the world, stretching across the vast land in northern East Asia and across the vast space of Mongolian Plateau. The Gobi Desert is one of the largest deserts in the world, providing stunning views of flaming cliffs, sand dunes and valleys.

 

Flaming Cliffs

Flaming Cliffs, also known as Bayanzag, are famous for the splendid red rocks and soil especially during the sunset. At the Flaming Cliffs, you can explore the home to the dinosaur fossils and eggs as well as enjoy the magnificent view of the red rocks like burning.

 

Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes

Khongoryn Els, also known as Khongor sand dunes or Khongoriin Els. Khongoryn Els are the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in Mongolia. It is called Singing Dunes because the sound is very wonderful when the wind blows to the sand dunes. You can climb up to the top of the sand dunes, admire the sunrise or sunset or ride a camel at the Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes.

 

Yolyn Am Valley

A lush green valley in the desert will quickly attract tourists. Gobi Desert is not only deserts, but also valleys. Yolyn Am Valley is impressive to the tourists is because it is a green and cool place in the desert. And it is a paradise for hiking lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

 

Gobi Desert

 

 

Horseback Riding on the Steppes

The vast steppes in Mongolia provide a fantastic place for horseback riding. And horseback riding must be experienced if you travel to Mongolia.

 

It is a joyful and exciting thing to ride a horse in the vast steppe, under the blue sky and white clouds. Immerse yourself in the vast grassland while riding a horse, you will feel the freedom and joy as well as enjoy the beautiful scenery.

 

Maybe some of you will think riding a horse is not necessary when traveling to Mongolia. However, horseback riding deserves. You will see herds of cows or sheep, you will come across herders and you will cross river. You will definitely feel the warm and friendly of the locals.

 

 

 

Living in a Ger or Yurt(Local Camp)

Mongolia is one of the few countries that retain nomadic culture in the world. And the herders live in the Mongolian gers or yurts, which are their homes. Staying in a yurt is a good way to experience the nomadic culture of Mongolia.

 

If you live in a yurt in Terelj National Park, you will know how comfortable it is to stay in a yurt in the Terelj National Park. The Mongolian yurts or gers have been improved to provide better accommodation for tourists. At the night, you can look at the amazing stars in the yurt. Looking up at the starry sky, so splendid and dazzling, you must be amazed at the starry sky.

 

 

 

Enjoy the Impressive Sunrise or Sunset

Sunrise or sunset in the desert will give you astonishing beauty if you come to Mongolia. Climb up to the top of the sand dunes in Khongoryn Els, and wait for the sun rising up. Stand on the top of the sand dunes, gaze at the sun gradually rising up in the distance and feel the unprecedented joy.

 

 

The sunsets in the deserts are always beautiful. We will feel that the world calms down and slows down. Sitting on the soft sands, look at the round and orange sun, witnessing the sand dunes turning red from golden. What a amazing progress. Just immerse yourself at the moment and enjoy the peaceful and joyful time. You will remember the sunset in the deserts forever.

 

 

 

Taste the Local Beef and Mutton

In Mongolia, the number of sheep is much more than its population. And herds of sheep can be seen on the steppes. Mutton is the main meat of Mongolians. The mutton in Mongolia is very fresh and delicious. And the mutton and milk in Mongolia is cheap with high quality. If you are a mutton lover, you can’t miss Mongolia.

 

The dairy products in Mongolia are also with high quality and at cheap price. The beef and milk tea in Mongolia is also delicious. And dairy products, beef and mutton have complete proteins. But the vegetables and fruits in Mongolia is a little expensive. My suggestion is eating more mutton and dairy products. After all, you won’t meet such delicious and cheap mutton.  

 

 

Spend a day at Lake Khovsgol

Near the Lake Baikal, Lake Khovsgol is the largest freshwater lake in Mongolia, which is very significant fresh water reserves of Mongolia. Lake Khovsgol is known as Blue Pearl of Mongolia as well as Switzerland in the East.

 

The weather in Lake Khovsgol is absolutely cool in summer. To escape the heat, Lake Khovsgol is an ideal destination for tourists from home and abroad.

 

In summer, Lake Khovsgol is pure and mysterious. You can hike around the shore, row a boat on the lake or ride a motorbike around the lake. It is comfortable to do these things at the cool Lake Khovsgol in summer.

 

 

In winter, the surface of the lake is frozen and both the lake and its surroundings are white. You can fish, ride a motorbike on the frozen lake or try other winter activities. The Lake Khovsgol is so spectacular in winter.

 

 

 

Learn about the History of Mongolia

By the middle of the thirteenth century, the huge Mongol Empire had spread across most of Asia. The territory of Mongol Empire is huge during the Genghis Khan period. At its peak, the Mongol Empire spanned Eurasia and reached 33 million square kilometers, almost conquering more than half of the world's civilizations at that time.

 

To better know about the history of Mongolia, you can visit the National History Museum of Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar, which is the largest museum in Mongolia. If you want to know more about Genghis Khan, you can visit the museum at the Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue.

 

National History Museum of Mongolia

 

 

Visit the Przewalski's horses

The Przewalski's horse, which is called takhi in Mongolian, is the last and only remaining wild horse species in the world. Przewalski's horses were last seen in Mongolia's Gobi region. In 1960s, the wild Przewalski's horses were claimed to be extinct by Mongolia. The hometown of wild Przewalski's horses has no wild Przewalski's horses.

 

In 1992, 16 Przewalski's horses were shipped to Hustai National Park from Netherlands. The reintroduction of the Mongolian breed of Przewalski's horses was successful. It is on this basis that the Zoological Society of London formally applied to IUCN in 2005 to change the protection status of Przewalski's horses in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species from Extinct in the Wild(EW) to Endangered(EN). And Hustai National Park becomes home to Przewalski's horses.

 

Many tourists come to visit the Hustai National Park to see the Przewalski’s Horses because Mongolia is the only place in the world where Przewalski's horses exist within their historic range. And it is lucky to have the opportunity to visit the herds of Przewalski's horses in the Hustai National Park.