Mongolia Travel Blog & News

Just above China and south of Russia, Mongolia is a country tucked away in northern Asia. It’s graced with historical sites, stunning landscapes, and plenty to do for travelers. You can trek on a camel through the Gobi Desert, observe eagle hunters practicing their craft, and visit some of the last nomadic reindeer herders in the world. Visiting a remote area of the world can come with its fair share of challenges. So, we’ve put together five tips for travelling in Mongolia that will help you navigate the unfamiliar terrain on your journey.

There was something in my father’s pictures that called me to Mongolia. The horizon in the distance, the openness of the steppe, the wildness of the nature. In 2010 we hatched a plan to travel to Mongolia together--it would be his second trip, my first. In 2014 we spent three weeks traveling around Mongolia (and I’ve since spent 3 years living and traveling in the country). While we journeyed many miles and visited numerous sites, it was our time spent in Khustai Nuruu National Park that made my initial dream--to put my hiking boots on the great Eurasian steppe--feel complete.

With a name that literally means “Axe Hero” in Mongolian, you would expect great things from such Mongolian man. And great things he did – he’s credited with being the “Father of the Mongolian Revolution.” Sukhbaatar’s life was not very long, but the man was instrumental in making a modern country. He was a gifted military leader and found a lot of success in turbulent times.

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!  

Even though wood carving is usually neglected by most of the dabblers due to its inability to last long and the way they’re much more fragile than its metal cousins, Mongolian carving art is something that simply can’t be overlooked. Quite similar to other countries, artisans have been carving decorations into their daily utensils such as their cupboard, cart, musical instruments and most commonly the place they live- “ger”. Since the shelter they spend most of their time is made out of wood, it’s no wonder why the people have started wondering how to make their home fancier and more comfortable. Since then, the simple wooden carvings have developed into much more complex, thus aesthetically pleasing art which cannot be separated from Mongolians’ daily life. That is mainly because the carving art has taken homage in almost every aspect of their life.

The Gobi Desert is one of the most beautiful areas in all of Mongolia. The two best times to visit Mongolia is the summer, where you can really experience the Mongolian Desert. The vast dunes spreading out around you will put you in awe. Seeing the life that can survive in the harsh environment is exciting, and there are a number of natural features to visit. There are also fossils and tours where you can see where dinosaur eggs were first found!   The best way to experience all of this is in a traditional Mongolian yurt, or ger. These cute, round little structures have been used by nomads for centuries. They typically have a stove in the middle and a couple cozy beds inside. You can look up at the sky through a window in the top while you’re cozy in bed. They rarely have a bathroom inside, though, so late-night bathroom trips will require you to leave your cozy ger.   Choosing a ger camp can be difficult though. Each year there are more to choose from in the Gobi region. Here are three of the top choices for staying in a ger camp in the Gobi Desert.

There were once dozens of species of wild horses that lived on Earth. One remains, and you can find it most easily in Mongolia. It’s called the takhi, or Przewalski’s Horse. It’s named after a Polish/Russian scientist who discovered it for Western Science. Many wild horses, like mustangs, were simply domesticated horses that ran away. The takhi have never been domesticated, and managed to survive in the steppes of Central Asia.

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”.

Khoomei or Throat singing is one of the most representative traditional arts of Mongolia. Khoomei was originated when people started imitating the voice of nature and animals many thousand years ago, and around 19th century, Khoomei was first developed as an art. Mongolian throat singing was registered in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, as an art native to Mongolia in 2010. At its meeting in Nairobi, the UNESCO Council inscribed Mongolian Khoomii in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of mankind.

While most people’s first stop in Mongolia is Ulaanbaatar, people often get out as soon as they can. That’s disappointing. It means missing out on a lot of great things in this city.   There’s plenty to see and do in this city of 1.5 million people, from clubbing to relaxing at a spa. We have compiled a list of things that would surprise you about the capital of Mongolia, and some suggestions on places to visit if you visit Mongolia.