Mongolia Travel Blog & News

Chinggis Khan did a lot for Mongolian nomads and the world. He administered an empire, enforced security so merchants could safely trade, and created military tactics that would inspire leaders for centuries afterwards. However, there’s one accomplishment that may surprise you – he brought writing to Mongolia.

Surviving two destructions and centuries of rejection, Erdene Zuu is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Mongolia, probably in East Asia. The building of the temple was ordered by the Abtai Sain Khan- grandfather of Zanabazar the Great when the Tibetan Buddhism was declared as the main religion of Mongolia in 1586. For Mongolians, who employed nomadic lifestyle, this kind of building or generally anything that stays in one place was not that common. So, the temple has naturally become the religious center, thus the heart of the Mongolia. The geographical situation was carefully thought out too, it’s built in Kharkhorin- near the old city of Karakorum.

If you’re looking to explore a destination that’s both under the radar and chock full of enjoyable activities and incredible sights, then look no further than Ulaanbaatar. Mongolia’s capital city boasts a host of must-do activities for curious minded and adventurous travelers alike. You can wander through museums and temples, hike among some incredible rock formations, or take a ride on a roller coaster. When you’re on the road, it can be hard to pinpoint the best attractions in each destination. But with this curated list of the best things to do in Ulaanbaatar, you can make the most of your journey!

When walking through the streets of UB if you’re lucky, you can see someone throw a spoonful of milk into the sky as an offering. This ancient practice is a way to give an offering to the gods in Mongolian shamanic practice. People practiced shamanic religions centuries before Mongolia became a Buddhist country, and they had a deep effect on the lives of the people living in this country.

Sometimes we can’t stay as long as we want in a place. If you don’t have a ton of time, but want to maximize your Mongolian experience you can. Mongolia’s size is part of its charm, but it’s also one of its challenges. For example, if you want to visit Mongolia, and see a lot of the Gobi Desert in three days, it’s just not going to happen. For this list, I compiled things you can easily do from the hub of Ulaanbaatar. From there, you can arrange smaller trips, and some of these activities can be done elsewhere (like horseback riding). These trips are for anything from a day-long layover to three days.

With some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, Mongolia is a great adventure travel destination. It’s rugged countryside and helpful locals will help ensure that you have a good time at whatever level of risk you’d like to take. From Easy day hikes to life-changing, multi-day survival exercises; Mongolia has you covered. Here are five of the best Adventure Travel ideas to get you inspired to visit!  

Immerse yourself in Mongolia's vibrant cultural tapestry at the Naadam Festival, a highly anticipated event celebrated nationwide. This festival serves as a homage to the country's rich history, traditions, and unique way of life. For travelers venturing into this cultural spectacle, navigating the unfamiliar can be daunting. That's why we've curated a beginner's guide to the Naadam Festival, offering insights into its origins, significance, and how you can partake in the festivities. Gain a deeper understanding of this cherished tradition and make the most of your journey to Mongolia.

If you’re interested in wild life, exotic travels and animals then you might’ve heard about the Big 5 of Africa. However, have you ever heard of the Great Gobi 6? In order to keep the wildlife and ecosystem of the gobi system, the WWF has started an initiation called Great Gobi 6, a project determined to spread awareness of the importance of the animals living in the gobi desert and try to save them from being extinct. In Mongolia, where the people still keep the nomadic lifestyle and keep the nature as original as possible, it’s no wonder that some of the last truly wild animals live only in Mongolia. Especially the Gobi desert, which is believed to be the home of the dinosaurs, is where most of these animals live. When I say wild animals, I mean the authentic wild ones- their ancestors used to live next to the real dinosaurs. That is one of the reasons why Mongolian Gobi is called the door to the fairytale- just about five hours of drive from the city, you would setting your foot  in a place that have been the exactly same for about tens of thousands of years. Obviously, the revolutions have come and gone, but one thing is for sure- you wouldn’t be encountering one flashy advertising sign or skyscrapers that block your view. It may sound pretty scary in that way, but as long as you’re prepared enough- all that time and risk would be worth it.

Mongolia has recently updated its visa regulations, making it easier than ever to visit this beautiful country. Now, citizens from over 60 countries can enjoy visa-free entry for a specified duration. Here is the list of countries whose citizens can enter Mongolia without a visa: 

A photo of a rosy-cheeked, Mongolian girl, perched on a mountain ridge, she was smiling with delight at a ferocious golden eagle flapping on her arm. This is what inspired film director Otto Bell to travel to Mongolia and make a film about Kazakh Eagle huntress and beauty of the country. The shots were taken in the Altai Mountains which, Bell points out, “are the most remote part of the least-populated country in the world”.