THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN MONGOLIA
In a country where nearly 30% of its population lives a nomadic lifestyle, a trip to Mongolia is a must for anyone seeking a wild adventure. If experiencing the local lifestyle firsthand is not enough to entice you to Mongolia, its diverse landscapes just might. From the mountains in the north to the Gobi Desert in the south, it is a vast, stunning country with spectacular landscapes and dramatic scenery. There is so much to see and do in this country in the heart of Asia. We’ve put together the best places to visit in Mongolia in one simple list for you.
ALTAI TAVAN BOGD NATIONAL PARK
Altai Tavan Bogd National Park is a national park in Bayan-Ulgii Province of western Mongolia. The park includes the Mongolian side of Tavan Bogd massif, which is divided by the triple border with Russia and China in the Altai Mountains. A spectacular tableau of snow-capped mountains, alpine lakes and beautiful valleys, Mongolia’s Altai Tavan Bogd National Park features five of the tallest mountain peaks in the country. Dominated by the towering presence of Khuiten Peak (4374 m), the highest of the ‘Five Saints’ that gives the park its name, it also boasts several waterfalls, no fewer than 34 glaciers and three large freshwater lakes. Inhabited for around 12,000 years, its rocks and valleys are filled with tens of thousands of petroglyphs that constitute a large part of the extensive Petroglyphic Complexes of the Mongolian Altai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
KHUSTAIN NURUU NATIONAL PARK
Lying just a short distance away from the capital of Ulaanbaatar, Khustain Nuruu National Park is a fantastic place to head if you want to visit the renowned Mongolian steppe, while the beautiful Khentii Mountains add some variety to the scenery. Established in 1993, it is one of the well-known national parks in Mongolia. Its borders stretch from Khentii Mountains to Altanbulag region of Mongolia.
If you’re lucky, you should just be able to spot some of the rare Dzungarian horses (Takhi) galloping over the grassy knolls and rock-ribbed ridges of the Khustain Nuruu National Park. These are one of the most iconic creatures of the steppe, and are only known to reside below the rising peaks close to Ulaanbaatar.
The park houses historical stone stupas and over 200 Takhi horses, 44 species of mammals, 217 species of birds, 16 species of fish and over 459 species of vascular plants.
KHARKHORIN
Set deep between the undulating green hills and stony ridges of the Orkhon Valley, lies the ancient city of Kharkhorin. Kharkhorin was the power centre and capital of Genghis Khan's Mongol Empire, before his grandson Kublai Khan moved his court to Beijing. This 13th century city was later destroyed by Ming troops but some relics still remain. The Khans showed great tolerance to all religions allowing mosques, Christian churches and Buddhist monasteries to be built almost side by side, including a 16th century Erdene Zuu Monastery, which was built out of the remnants of the ruined city in 1585; the plethora of stupas lining its long wall certainly do look incredible. One of the earliest surviving Buddhist monasteries in the country, Erdene Zuu has three beautiful temples, with lots of lovely statues and carvings.
LAKE KHUVSGUL
A great dash of blue that hides between the shale peaks and rocky foothills of the Sayan Mountains, Lake Khuvsgul is the second-largest body of water in all of Mongolia. The water in the lake is some of the purest in the world. The lake has long been sacred to the Mongolian people and they call it 'Dalai Ej', the 'Mother Sea'. A gorgeous fresh water lake that is frozen for almost half of the year, these deep waters are surrounded by forests of pine trees, verdant meadows, and, of course, an abundance of wildlife such as reindeer, moose, ibex and yaks.
Today it is part of a National Park area in Khuvsgul Province where camels of the Gobi and reindeer of the taiga are often seen. Five Mongolian ethnic groups - the Buryat, Khalkha, Darkhad, Uriankhai and Tsaatan - live in the vicinity and Shamanism has a strong influence on the local culture
ULGII
Located in the extreme western region of Mongolia, Ulgii is the capital of the Bayan-Ulgii Province, a predominantly Kazakh region of Mongolia. Its location is sandwiched between the peaks of the Altai Mountains and the waters of the Khovd River. This region was home to the Kazakhs long before the founding of modern Mongolia in 1911 and it was a centre of Islamic teaching and culture before the religious purges of the 1930s. Known for its Kazakh embroidery and Kazakh music, the city also plays host each year to the famous Golden Eagle Festival, which sees up to 80 eagle hunters showcasing their heritage.
ORKHON VALLEY
Once the home of the great Khans and the epicenter of power that fueled the onslaught of the Mongol Horde across Asia and Europe, the Orkhon Valley has been trodden by totemic names like Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the rolling pasture land of the Orkhon Valley contains numerous fascinating archeological remains, many dating back to the 6th century. The valley was continuously occupied throughout the ages and was settled successively by the Huns, Turkic people, the Uyghurs, the Khitans, and the Mongols.
Orkhon is now a major attraction, and travelers flock to see the ruins of legendary Kharkhorin, seek the fabled palaces of Xanadu, wonder at frozen waterfalls, and find serenity in the rustic Buddhist monasteries. Here, you can witness the nomadic pastoral traditions that have remained unchanged for centuries providing a truly authentic insight into life in rural Mongolia.
Tavan Bogd National Park
A spectacular tableau of snow-capped mountains, alpine lakes and beautiful valleys, Mongolia’s Tavan Bogd National Park is home to the highest peaks in the country. Covering around 630,000 hectares and sacred to the local Kazakh people, it stretches from Russia and along the Chinese border, providing a rich haven for snow leopards, wolves and golden eagles.
Dominated by the towering presence of Küiten Uul (4374 m), the highest of the ‘Five Saints’ that gives the park its name, it also boasts several waterfalls, no fewer than 34 glaciers and three large freshwater lakes. Inhabited for around 12,000 years, its rocks and valleys are filled with tens of thousands of petroglyphs that constitute a large part of the extensive Petroglyphic Complexes of the Mongolian Altai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Terelj National Park
One of the most popular places to visit in Mongolia, Gorkhi-Terelj National Park’s alpine scenery is impressive. Its glorious mountain peaks are home to picturesque valleys, roaring rivers, and craggy rock formations, with charming
yurt camps found here and there. The rock formations of the park are fascinating, while the 250 plus bird species make it an enchanting place to relax. Many wild animals roam these mountains, including Moose, Brown Bears and Ibexes. Nomadic tribesmen still drive their herds around these pastures, while living in felt Gers just like their forebearers. Within the park there is the opportunity to do some horseback riding on the many trails, or just walk amongst and enjoy the flora and fauna. With glacial lakes, hot springs, and a Buddhist monastery also on offer, Gorkhi-Terelj National Park really is a natural paradise just waiting to be explored.
GOBI DESERT
The harsh, unforgiving climes of the endless Gobi Desert certainly aren’t for the faint-hearted; that’s what makes them so exhilarating to explore. With infinite dunes, ancient rock formations, and desolate desert stretching out before you, venturing into the Gobi Desert is the adventure of a lifetime. It is
blessed with an eternally clear sky, golden sands, blue mirages, and an endless expanse of Mongolian steppe lands.
During your visit you can stay in the small village of Saikhan-Ovoo, and see how the locals live in this environment. You can also visit the nearby Ongi Monastery, standing on the majestic banks of the Ongi river, and take the chance to walk up the sacred mountain.
Ulaanbaatar
Built on the banks of the Tuul Gol river, Ulaanbaatar is the capital of Mongolia and is the largest city. Its centre is largely dominated by soviet style buildings, and it’s a rather modern, bustling city where a grand 45% of Mongolia’s entire population reside. Ulaanbaatar is pretty much
everything you expect Mongolia not to be. It’s brash, bold, big and loud, and comes packed with designer outlets and all-new shopping malls. But there’s a certain crude charm to be found below the bright lights too, whether that’s in the 19th century palace of Bogd Khan, built by the Mongolian masters, the fascinating National Museum of Mongolia, the impressive Sukhbaatar Square or in the shadow of a giant Genghis Khan Statue Complex.
