Mongolia Travel Blog & News

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.

Wondering where to go and what to do during the long weekend at Tsagaan Sar, which is just in a couple of weeks? We are suggesting you to visit the beautiful Lake Huvsgul – so called the Blue Pearl of Mongolia. And I know it’d sound quite extreme - it must be freezing cold out there! The pristine Lake Huvsgul is 2 million years old, and makes up to 1% of the world’s total fresh water reserve. The Huvsgul stretches for 136km in the Alpine-like mountains, and the deepest point of the lake is 262m. The Huvsgul region itself is a home to the Tsaatan – Reindeer Herders of Mongolia, an ethnic group famous for their distinctive lifestyle based on keeping reindeers in the depth of the Taiga.

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?

When it comes to food, Mongolia is a paradise for meat lovers. With a rich nomadic culture and a history of hunting and herding, Mongolian cuisine is a unique blend of traditional dishes that are hearty, filling, and full of flavor. A visit to Mongolia offers a chance to sample these delicious dishes while exploring the country's stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage. From the vast expanse of the Gobi Desert to the pristine beauty of Lake Khuvsgul, a Mongolia tour promises to be a one-of-a-kind experience that will leave visitors with unforgettable memories.

Mongolia is a country filled with gorgeous sites and memorable adventures. From dry deserts to snow capped peaks, and historical museums to cultural interactions, there’s so much to see and do while visiting here that will help you grow as a traveler and as a person. It helps to know the best places to visit in Mongolia before you plan your trip. That way, you can be sure you’re hitting all the right marks on your journey, and you can come prepared for the activities. So, here are the best places to visit in Mongolia and what there is to do there.

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.

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.

Since you have chosen Mongolia as your travel destination, you might be familiar with the fact that Mongolia is a post-soviet country. From 1921 to 1991, Mongolia has been part of the Comintern- a soviet alliance with Soviet Russia in its head. Most of the districts and urban structure of the city has been built during that era with the help of the Russian masters. Ulaanbaatar was mainly designed by Soviet architects, who have employed classicism.

If you visit Mongolia, you’ll most likely pass through the capital, Ulaanbaatar. This city of around 1.5 million was founded in 1639 CE. Since then, the city has hosted many historic events – from the declaration of independence to historic tsam dance celebrations. Here is a list of 8 historic facts about Ulaanbaatar.

Since the establishment of Gun Galuut Nature Reserve in 2003, Selena Travel has been profoundly engaged in conservation efforts of the Nature Reserve. During the last weekend, in collaboration with the local conservation team and Steppe Nomads Ger camp, Selena Travel team visited the Gun Galuut Nature Reserve and distributed salt blocks at the mineral lick of Mountain Sheep population in the area. Providing essential minerals for the Mountain Sheep will help them to survive the harsh winter and get into the spring in a better health. On this day, we were lucky enough to sight 67 Mountain sheep!