With its diverse landscapes, natural beauty, and strong nomadic traditions kept alive to this day, the least densely populated country on earth is one of the most unique places in the world to visit. With so much to see and experience in such a vast land, here are the top things to do in Mongolia.
Ulaanbaatar
The coldest capital city in the world, Ulaanbaatar seamlessly mixes modern and old-world traditions, making it one of the must-see sites in Mongolia. Highlights of Ulaanbaatar include the numerous Buddhist monasteries such as the Gandantegchinlen Monastery where you can see a massive Buddha statue and hear monks performing their ritual chants. For a truly authentic Mongolian experience, the Naran Tuul Market is a local open market selling traditional Mongolian goods.
Gorkhi-Terelj National Park
Located in Ulaanbaatar, visiting the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park is one of the top things to do in Mongolia. The Gorkhi-Terelj National Park is full of vast, sweeping landscapes and offers some of the best exotic wildlife viewing and outdoor adventures such as hiking, horseback riding, and camping at the many established ger camps around the park.
The Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape
A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Orkhon Valley should be on your list of top things to do in Mongolia. Located in the grasslands of central Mongolia, the Orkhon Valley features ruins that date back to the 6th century set against a beautiful landscape. Highlights of the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape include the ruins of Genghis Khan’s capital of unified Mongolia in the 13th – 14th centuries, Kharkhorin, as well as the Tövkhön Monastery and the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, Erdene Zuu Monastery.
Menen Steppe
No trip to Mongolia would be complete without visiting the open grasslands of the Menen Steppe, located in eastern Mongolia. This protected grassland is one of the largest steppes on earth and is home to rare wildlife including Mongolian antelopes, white-tailed gazelles, and wolves, as well as abundant flora and fauna.
Gobi Desert
The fifth largest desert in the world, the Gobi Desert is another must-see site in Mongolia. The vast Gobi Desert spans through parts of China and southern Mongolia. Highlights of the Gobi Desert are the Khongor sand dunes and a rock formation called Bayanzag, also known as the Flaming Cliffs. Named for their flaming red glow at sunset, the Flaming Cliffs are famous for being the location where the first dinosaur eggs were discovered in the 1920s.
Lake Khövsgöl National Park
One of the major tourist attractions in Mongolia, Lake Khövsgöl National Park is home to the pristine Lake Khövsgöl, also called the Blue Pearl for its sparkling crystal-blue waters. The lake is surrounded by lush forests and mountains and is a great place for nature lovers and wildlife watching including reindeer, moose, ibex and yaks. During the winter, Lake Khövsgöl freezes over completely and the yearly Ice Festival takes place at the lake.
View more the Mongolia Tours and Travel Packages 2020
Mongolia is one of Asia’s most extraordinary and little-visited destinations. For more conventional Asia travel inspiration, see our guide to Tokyo Japan: Things to Do, Weather & Packing Tips.
Frequently asked questions
Highlights include exploring the Gobi Desert, staying in a traditional ger camp, visiting the ancient capital Karakorum, seeing the Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue, experiencing the Naadam festival, and trekking or horseback riding across the steppe. Mongolia is prized for wide-open wilderness and nomadic culture.
The best time is summer, roughly June through August, when the weather is mildest and the famous Naadam festival takes place in July. Winters are extremely cold, so most travelers visit in the warmer months.
Most visitors join a guided tour because of Mongolia’s remote distances, limited roads, and language barrier; a tour handles ger-camp logistics, drivers, and translators. Our advisors can arrange an escorted Mongolia tour, call 1-800-942-3301 or email groups@atlastravelweb.com.
