Experience the untamed beauty and rich heritage of Mongolia. Whether you're exploring the vast steppes,
delving into centuries-old traditions, or savoring the flavors of Mongolian cuisine, this enchanting country
promises an adventure like no other. Start planning your journey to Mongolia today and discover the
land of blue skies and endless horizons.
Beach Resorts:
Mongolia is a landlocked country and does not have beach resorts.
Ski Resorts:
Mongolia offers ski resorts such as the Sky Resort in
Ulaanbaatar, best visited during the winter months.
Spa Resorts:
Tsenkher Hot Springs is a popular spa resort,
best enjoyed year-round.
Travel Adventure Locations
Mountain Locations:
Altai Tavan Bogd National Park offers stunning mountain scenery
and opportunities for trekking and mountaineering.
Seaside Locations:
Although Mongolia is landlocked, Khövsgöl Lake provides a
picturesque setting for water activities such as boating and fishing.
Cultural Travel Locations:
The Erdene Zuu Monastery and the ancient city
of Karakorum are must-visit cultural sites.
Ethnicity and Languages:
Mongolia is primarily inhabited by ethnic Mongols,
with the official language being Mongolian.
Average Weekly Budget for Accommodation:
Hostel: $70 - $100 per week
Hotel: $200 - $300 per week
(Depends on season, location and category)
Average Daily Budget for Food:
Street Food: $5 - $10
Restaurant: $20 - $40
(Depends on season, location and category)
Best Season to Visit:
The best time to visit Mongolia is during the summer months (June
to August) when the weather is mild and the landscapes are lush
and green. However, for those interested in experiencing the winter
activities such as ice festivals and eagle hunting, winter (December
to February) can also be a fascinating time to visit.
Brief Travel Information about Mongolia
Drinks
Airag: Airag is a traditional Mongolian drink made from fermented
mare's milk. It has a slightly sour taste and a low alcohol content,
making it a popular beverage, especially during the summer
months.
Suutei Tsai: Suutei Tsai is a traditional Mongolian tea made with
water, milk, salt, and sometimes butter. It's a warming drink often
served with meals or as a gesture of hospitality.
Arhi: Arhi is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented
milk. It's often enjoyed during celebrations and festivals and is
believed to have medicinal properties.
Boortsog: Boortsog is a deep-fried pastry often served with tea
or milk. It's a popular snack enjoyed by both children and adults
and is sometimes flavored with honey or sugar.
Tarag: Tarag is a traditional Mongolian yogurt drink made from
fermented milk. It's similar to kefir and is often served cold as a
refreshing beverage.
Shimiin Arkhi: Shimiin Arkhi is a distilled spirit made from
fermented milk, similar to Arhi but with a lower alcohol content. It's
commonly consumed during special occasions and gatherings.
Milk Tea: Milk tea is a popular beverage in Mongolia, made by
steeping black tea leaves in boiling water and adding milk and
sometimes salt or butter for flavor. It's enjoyed throughout the day,
particularly during the cold winter months.
Tsamts: Tsamts is a fermented beverage made from barley or
wheat. It's often consumed during the Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New
Year) festival and other special occasions.
Guril tea: Guril tea is a herbal tea made from various medicinal
herbs and plants. It's believed to have health benefits and is often
consumed to treat ailments or simply as a soothing drink.
Süüm: Süüm is a traditional Mongolian beverage made from
fermented camel milk. It's less common than other dairy-based
drinks but is still enjoyed by some nomadic communities.
Foods
Buuz: Buuz are steamed dumplings filled with minced meat,
typically mutton or beef, mixed with onions and various spices.
They are a staple during Mongolian holidays and festivals.
Khuushuur: Similar to Buuz, Khuushuur are deep-fried pockets
of dough filled with minced meat and onions. They are a favorite
snack and are often enjoyed with hot tea.
Borts: Borts are thin strips of air-dried meat, usually beef or
mutton. They are a traditional way of preserving meat and are
commonly consumed during long journeys or as a snack.
Khorkhog: Khorkhog is a traditional Mongolian stew made with
mutton or goat meat, potatoes, carrots, and onions. The ingredients
are cooked together in a large metal pot with hot stones, giving the
dish a unique flavor.
Tsuiwan: Tsuiwan is a hearty noodle soup made with homemade
noodles, meat (often mutton), and vegetables like carrots and
cabbage. It's a comforting dish enjoyed particularly during the cold
winter months.
Aaruul: Aaruul is a dried curd snack made from fermented milk. It
comes in various shapes and flavors, including sweet and savory,
and is a popular snack for nomads due to its long shelf life.
Boodog: Boodog is a traditional Mongolian dish where an entire
goat or marmot is cooked with hot stones inside its own skin. The
meat is tender and flavorful, with a unique smoky taste.
Tsuivan: Tsuivan is a stir-fried noodle dish made with hand-cut
noodles, meat (typically mutton), and vegetables such as carrots,
onions, and bell peppers. It's a hearty and filling meal enjoyed by
both locals and visitors.
Khuurga: Khuurga is a Mongolian-style barbecue, where meat,
usually mutton or beef, is grilled on a skewer over an open flame.
It's a popular street food and is often served with bread and salads.
Uuts: Uuts are fried pastries filled with various ingredients such
as meat, potatoes, or cheese. They are a popular snack or side
dish and are enjoyed by people of all ages.
Mongolia boasts a rich culinary tradition influenced by its nomadic
lifestyle, harsh climate, and cultural heritage. Check some typical
local foods and drinks that are popular in the country.
Mongolia Cusine and Beverages
Gobi Desert. The Gobi Desert, spanning across northern China
and southern Mongolia, is one of the world's most captivating arid
landscapes. Its vast expanse of sand dunes, rocky mountains, and
unique desert flora and fauna make it a remarkable destination for
adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike. From the towering dunes
of Khongoryn Els to the fossil-rich Flaming Cliffs, the Gobi offers a
glimpse into a harsh yet breathtakingly beautiful environment.
Khövsgöl Lake. Nestled in the remote wilderness of northern
Mongolia, Khövsgöl Lake is a pristine alpine lake often referred to
as the "Blue Pearl of Mongolia." Surrounded by lush forests and
towering mountains, this immense freshwater lake holds nearly
70% of Mongolia's freshwater reserves. Its crystal-clear waters are
home to a diverse array of wildlife and provide a serene setting for
outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, and hiking.
Terelj National Park. Terelj National Park, located just a short
drive from Mongolia's capital city, Ulaanbaatar, offers a tranquil
escape into the country's stunning natural landscapes. The park is
renowned for its dramatic rock formations, including the iconic
Turtle Rock, and its vast expanses of rolling hills dotted with
nomadic gers (yurts). Visitors can explore the park on horseback,
hike to Buddhist meditation retreats nestled in the mountains, or
simply soak in the peaceful ambiance of the Mongolian countryside.
Orkhon Valley. The Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage
Site, is a historical and cultural treasure trove located in central
Mongolia. It was once the epicenter of the ancient Mongol Empire
and is home to numerous archaeological sites, including the ruins
of Karakorum, the empire's former capital. The valley is also
renowned for its stunning natural beauty, with meandering rivers,
lush grasslands, and rugged volcanic landscapes.
Kharkhorin (Karakorum). Once the capital of the vast Mongol
Empire, Kharkhorin, also known as Karakorum, holds immense
historical significance. Although little remains of the ancient city,
visitors can explore the ruins of Erdene Zuu Monastery, one of the
oldest Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia. The surrounding area is
also home to several archaeological sites, providing glimpses into
the empire's glory days under Genghis Khan and his successors.
Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs). Bayanzag, famously known as the
Flaming Cliffs, is a surreal landscape of red sandstone formations
located in the heart of the Gobi Desert. Named for the fiery hues
that illuminate the cliffs at sunset, this otherworldly terrain is a
haven for paleontologists due to its rich fossil deposits. Visitors can
marvel at the stark beauty of the cliffs and explore the surrounding
desert, imagining the ancient creatures that once roamed these
lands.
Amarbayasgalant Monastery. Nestled amidst the rolling hills of
northern Mongolia, Amarbayasgalant Monastery is one of the
country's most magnificent Buddhist monastic complexes. Built in
the 18th century, the monastery is renowned for its stunning
architecture, which blends Tibetan and Mongolian influences.
Surrounded by lush forests and serene countryside,
Amarbayasgalant offers visitors a glimpse into Mongolia's spiritual
and cultural heritage.
Khustain Nuruu National Park (Takhi wild horse reserve).
Khustain Nuruu National Park, located just a few hours' drive from
Ulaanbaatar, is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and
conservationists. It is home to the takhi, or Przewalski's horse, the
last truly wild horse species on earth. Visitors can embark on
guided tours to observe these majestic creatures in their natural
habitat and learn about ongoing conservation efforts to protect
them from extinction.
Erdene Zuu Monastery. Erdene Zuu Monastery, located in the
heart of Kharkhorin, is a testament to Mongolia's enduring Buddhist
heritage. Founded in the 16th century, it was one of the first
Buddhist monasteries established in the country. Despite periods of
destruction and suppression during the communist era, Erdene Zuu
has been lovingly restored and remains an important religious and
cultural landmark.
Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. Altai Tavan Bogd National
Park, nestled in Mongolia's far western corner, is a rugged
wilderness of towering peaks, alpine lakes, and ancient glaciers.
The park is named after the "Five Saints of the Altai," a group of
sacred mountains that dominate the landscape. It offers
unparalleled opportunities for outdoor adventure, including
mountaineering, trekking, and wildlife viewing amidst some of
Mongolia's most spectacular scenery.
Interesting Places to Visit Mongolia
The Enigmatic Origins of Genghis Khan. Nestled amidst the
rugged terrain of the Mongolian steppes lies the birthplace of
Genghis Khan, the legendary figure who founded the vast Mongol
Empire. Here, in this austere landscape, Genghis Khan's early life
unfolded, shaping the destiny of an empire that would span
continents and epochs. His legacy, marked by conquest and
innovation, continues to fascinate historians and scholars alike,
leaving an indelible mark on the annals of human history.
Mongolia: A Crossroads of Civilization. Mongolia, with its
strategic location along the Silk Road, served as a crucial hub for
trade and cultural exchange between the East and the West.
Caravans laden with goods traversed its vast expanse, fostering a
vibrant tapestry of commerce and cultural diffusion. The echoes of
this historical significance resonate in the modern-day,
underscoring Mongolia's enduring legacy as a bridge between
civilizations.
The Calligraphy of Tradition: Mongolian Script. The traditional
Mongolian script, a unique derivation from the Uighur script, stands
out as one of the world's few vertical scripts, reflecting the distinct
cultural heritage of the region. Each stroke and curve of the script
tells a story of resilience and adaptation, preserving the linguistic
identity of the Mongolian people through centuries of change. Its
elegant form serves as a testament to the rich tapestry of human
expression that thrives amidst Mongolia's vast landscapes.
The Pillars of Religious Harmony. In a remarkable display of
religious tolerance, the Mongolian Empire under Genghis Khan
embraced diverse faiths, fostering an environment of coexistence
and mutual respect among its subjects. Mosques, temples, and
churches stood side by side, testament to the empire's commitment
to inclusivity and unity amidst diversity. This ethos of religious
harmony laid the foundation for a cosmopolitan society that thrived
amidst the tumultuous currents of medieval geopolitics.
The Dawn of Sovereignty: Mongolia's Quest for
Independence. Following centuries of foreign rule, Mongolia
reclaimed its sovereignty in 1911, declaring independence from
Qing China and establishing itself as a republic. This watershed
moment marked the culmination of decades of struggle and
sacrifice, as the Mongolian people asserted their right to self-
determination. Yet, the journey towards nationhood was fraught
with challenges, as Mongolia navigated the complexities of
international politics to secure its place on the world stage.
The Soviet influence. The 20th century marked a tumultuous
period for Mongolia as it fell under Soviet influence, culminating in
the establishment of the Mongolian People's Republic, a political
epoch that endured until the country's transition to democracy in
1992. Throughout this era, Mongolia experienced significant socio-
political changes, shaping its trajectory and identity on the world
stage.
An Ancient Civilization. Mongolia's ancient landscapes serve as
a repository of history, adorned with petroglyphs that bear witness
to the daily lives and hunting practices of civilizations spanning
thousands of years. These enigmatic rock carvings offer invaluable
insights into the cultural and artistic expressions of past societies,
providing a tangible link to Mongolia's rich heritage.
Ulaanbaatar. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital city, epitomizes the
nation's historical journey, evolving from its origins as a nomadic
Buddhist monastic center into a bustling urban metropolis. The
city's streets are imbued with layers of history, reflecting its diverse
cultural influences and serving as a testament to Mongolia's
resilience and adaptability over the centuries.
The Naadam Festival. The Naadam Festival stands as a vibrant
celebration of Mongolia's enduring cultural legacy, showcasing
traditional sports such as wrestling, archery, and horse racing that
have been cherished for generations. This annual event serves not
only as a spectacle of athletic prowess but also as a symbol of
national pride and unity, embodying the indomitable spirit and
resilience of the Mongolian people throughout history.
Interesting Historical Facts about Mongolia
Situated between Russia and China, Mongolia is a landlocked
country renowned for its vast landscapes, nomadic culture, and
unique history. With a population of just over 3 million people, it
boasts one of the lowest population densities in the world, allowing
visitors to immerse themselves in the pristine wilderness and
ancient traditions.
Mongolia
