Mongolia Travel Blog & News

Tsagaan sar, the Mongolia’s Lunar new year is the biggest long-awaited holiday in Mongolia. It is widely celebrated throughout the country around January or February according to the combination of Solar-Lunar calendar that Mongolians use. It is a celebration of passing long harsh winter and welcoming a spring as well as welcoming new year. Furthermore, Tsagaan Sar is a family celebration as all relatives gather at the elders’ home to greet and wish all the best to each other for the following year. The festival lasts for 3-14 days depending on the region. It is non-working national holidays in Mongolia for 3 days.

It’s the beginning of the end of Mongolia’s short summer season. Today is a big day for our young monk. Let’s call him Davaa, a good Tibetan name. His name means Monday, and his parents may have chosen his name because he was born on a Monday. The name also honors Tibetan Buddhism, which is practiced in Mongolia. He has only been at the monastery for a year, and he’s going to participate in his first Tsam ceremony. The tsam dances, are morality plays. Their purpose is to remove evil from the area and pass along traditional stories and morals. There can be hundreds of participants, usually monks. Davaa is lucky to participate because he’s still a young monk.

Yeah! Such great news! After a change in visa regulation, Mongolia is more accessible than ever. Find out if you need a visa to Mongolia here! Mongolia's immigration department has relaxed tourist visa requirements for 61 nationalities, including Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech, Denmark, and Estonia. Mongolian government just announced that citizens from the below 34 countries do not need a visa to visit Mongolia for up to 30 days. This regulation is temporary and is valid until December 2025 at this point.

I don’t mean any offence here, but Mongolian winter is not for the weak hearted. But it is no reason to shy away from the astonishing landscape that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into the wonderland. Even though Mongolian weather seems to be too cold to travel in numbers, it’s actually not that cold in real life since our weather is really dry. It means that even though the air temperature can get pretty low in numbers, with lack of water particles in the air and strong wind, you’ll be fine as long as you bundle up enough. However, it might not be the wisest idea to stay in the city while you’re staying here since the capital city- Ulaanbaatar’s air pollution is quite bad.

Mongolia (outer) and Inner Mongolia are two distinct regions, each with their own unique culture, history, and attractions. If you're planning a trip to this part of the world, it's important to understand the differences between these two regions to ensure that you have the best possible travel experience. Whether you choose to visit Mongolia or Inner Mongolia, you're sure to have a memorable travel experience. By understanding the differences between these two regions, you can choose the one that best suits your travel style and interests. So why wait? Start planning your trip to Mongolia today and discover all that this fascinating destination has to offer. 

You’ve probably heard of sheep herders and cattle herders. But how about...reindeer herders? Now presenting, an introduction to the Tsaatan reindeer herders of Mongolia! If you’re visiting Mongolia and looking for an under the radar cultural experience, the Tsaatan reindeer herders are going to be your “thing.” As in, the “thing” that you take back home through amazing pictures and incredible stories, the marker of your fantastic experience traveling in Mongolia. There’s a lot to know before you set out on your journey, so let this introduction to the Tsaatan reindeer herders be your guide. From herding history to cultural ties, we’ll take you through the A-Z of reindeer herding in Mongolia.

Many cultures around the world have traditional clothes – from lederhosen in Bavaria to the kimono in Japan. Mongolia is no different. Their traditional clothes are called a deel. It’s pronounced “dell” like the-farmer-in-the, but it doesn’t mean a clearing.

I’ve traveled through more than half of Mongolia’s 21 aimags (provinces) and while I’ve seen much, in many ways I’ve only scratched the surface of this vast and extraordinary country (19th largest in the world by area, but also the most sparsely populated). Of all the places I’ve visited there is one that I wish I had the time to return to--Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur, or the Great White Lake.

While some people prefer to visit Mongolia in the summer, if you find yourself in Ulaanbaatar for the winter, there are still a ton of great activities to enjoy. One of the coolest Winter activities you can do is take a ride on the frozen Tuul river pulled by a team of excited huskies.

Even though Mongolia might not be popular for its music or entertainment values, there are handfuls of places where you can jazz up your nights. Be it in a small indie club with local youngsters or classy jazz club where professional musicians perform, one thing is for sure- there’s no way you can spend your few nights in Ulaanbaatar hiding out in your hotel room!