Mongolia Travel Blog & News

If you are a big fan of dairy products, then Mongolia is for you! For over thousands of years, Mongolian nomads have developed many different ways to process the milk into very unique dairy products. It is estimated that Mongolian nomads make about 150 different types of dairy products, including cheese, yogurt, curd, fermented drinks and many more. Cows, yaks, and mares are the main source of dairy products but depending on the region, goat, sheep and camel milks are used as well. Dairy production can last from mid-April till October as the livestock usually dry off by October when food becomes scarce.

Dos “Ovoo” When you go to the countryside, you would see a little heap of rocks sometimes decorated with a blue or yellow “khadag” or a piece of cloth. Usually located on top of the mountain, these are called “ovoo”. Most of the time, you don’t have to stop at every one of them, but when you do, or when you climb a mountain and get to the “ovoo” you should carry three rocks with you and round the ovoo for three times, throwing a rock for each of your round. The “ovoo”s have several purposes- to pay respect for the local deities, to mark geographical locations etc. The coolest story of them all is that during the war time, each one of the soldiers would put a rock on their departure from their home town and get it back when they come back from the war. The remaining rocks would be memorial for the soldiers who have lost their lives during the war. It may not be true, but it’s something that Mongolians believe and respect, so it would be rude to get a rock from the ovoo, or disrespect it in any way.

One of the main layover points for getting to Ulaanbaatar is through Hong Kong. Choosing this as your layover spot is a great idea, there are a ton of great luxuries and things to do while you wait for your flight to Mongolia.

Our national team of eight eagle-hunters, led by the head of the Department for Environment and Tourism of Bayan-Olgii aimag participated in the Third International Festival of Falconry, which ran recently in Abu Dhabi for the 3rd International Falconry Festival which was taken place in last 13 – 13th of December 2014.

One of the cheapest ways to get to Mongolia is transferring through the Beijing airport. While it’s easier to get to Mongolia than China for most Westerners, there are still a few things to know to make your trip through the airport easy.

Located in the far West of Mongolia, the Altai Mountains form the Western border of Mongolia. The jagged peaks form a beautiful backdrop for your adventures. There are a number of lakes and rivers to explore. You should also enjoy the warm hospitality of the Kazakh people that live nearby, and the beautiful summer weather. You can see unique wildlife and the Golden Eagles hunters use to support their families. There are countless great things to do here, but we have selected five of the best things to do in the Altai Mountains.

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.

You will find no shortage of restaurants to enjoy in Ulaanbaatar. There are some well-established eateries around the city, both local chains and stand alones, but also plenty of new places popping up all the time. I am NOT a food critic nor a master chef; however, I like to eat--and prefer to eat good food--and have visited numerous restaurants in the capital.

Karakorum was the capital of the Mongolian Empire at its height. From this city, Chinggis Khan’s son Ogedei Khan ruled one of the largest empires the world has ever known. Today, you can visit this historic site and see where history was made.

According to the gender gap report written by WEF, Mongolia has ranked 70th out of the 146 countries that have been studied.   In 2006, we were ranked 46th. What has happened over the decade that has worsened the country’s ranking by whole 24 places?