12 reasons why you should travel to Mongolia right now

Mongolia is an excellent place for adventure, where every traveler can get acquainted with the nomadic culture and vast untouched Mongolia landscapes. Locals are fully aware of the unique beauty of their country. Ask the Mongolia population, and they will begin to admire the picturesque countryside, vast steppes, rocks, clear blue lakes, and an abundance of wildlife and pets. Some districts and Mongolia cities are so remote that you can travel all day and almost no trace of human presence. It is a real experience of untouched nature, which attracts many tourists. Protected areas cover nearly a fifth of the country, and the government plans to increase this figure over time. Are you wondering where is Mongolia? Mongolia on the map has found its place in the heart of Asia, between the Chinese "East" and the vast wilderness of Russian Siberia. Over the centuries since Genghis Khan, local people's lives have not changed much - people's survival is still dependent on nature and its "whims".

1. Ulaanbaatar is the capital of Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar is the capital of Mongolia, economic center and the largest city of its state. Mongolia population is just over 3 million people, and almost half live in this amazing ancient city, founded in the Middle Ages. Among the main attractions can be noted: - Kandinsky Monastery. It is the largest Buddhist temple in the whole Mongolia. In 1944-1990, it was the only existing religious building untouched by the USSR's ruling party. At present, the monastery is home to more than 150 monks; - Museum of Natural History. The most impressive exhibits are massive skeletons of two dinosaurs, found in the Gobi Desert, as well as fossilized nests and eggs of prehistoric lizards; - The Square of Gobi. "Sukhbaatar Square. On its central part is a statue of Sukhbaatar - a revolutionary and national hero of Mongolia. You may not know it, but Ulaanbaatar is the coldest capital in the world. In winter, the temperature can drop below -40 ° C! Therefore, it is better to choose the more favorable seasons of the year to visit Mongolia.

2. National Cuisine of Mongolia

Mongols are natural nomads, and their cuisine is a combination of aesthetic appearance and formed lifestyle. Mongolian food has bright specific tastes and in general, differs from typical Asian cuisine.  The Mongolia population practically does not consume vegetables and fruits in raw form - almost everything is heat treated. Thus, the food becomes more caloric and is stored for longer.  The national Mongolian cuisine is closely connected with animal husbandry, which is the local people's main occupation. The most popular types of meat are mutton, goat and horsemeat. Milk is mainly obtained from cow, mare and yak. Camel milk is also used in the southern regions. "Suter Tsai" (tea with milk) is the most national drink in Mongolia, which can be tasted only here. Initially, it was made from poor-quality green tea brewed with salt, animal fat, fried flour and milk. A slightly different recipe is used in modern times, where tea and a little salt are added to the milk. How do you like this combination?

3. National goods - shopping in Mongolia

Much of Mongolia's economy is based on the production and sale of natural products. These are mainly carpets, leather, fur, cashmere, camel wool products. Mongolia is also famous for its antiques, oil paintings, handmade wooden products. Food markets offer a wide variety of food products, not only local, but also from Russia, Europe, and China.  Many stores throughout Mongolia are small kiosks, which residents call "tutus". On the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar is a vast flea market, where you can buy almost any product at affordable prices.  The national nomadic clothes deserve special attention. Mongols like to wear beautiful, durable, richly decorated clothes that compensate for the simple ascetic lifestyle. Sudden weather changes with temperature fluctuations of 20 degrees, snowfalls or sandstorms make the nomads always ready in any situation.

4. Camels - the standard of endurance

Mongolia on the map could get a good location with fantastic nature, allowing local nomads to engage in animal husbandry, including camels. In some countries, the "ships of the desert" are the fundamental basis of life and occupy a large part of Mongolia. Here, the camel is more than just a symbol of the exotic - it performs an essential economic function as a "vehicle", a source of meat, and most often as raw material for the leather and textile industries. Camels are perfectly adapted for a harsh life. Over centuries of evolution, this animal has honed its body to the perfect "dessert machine". Its skin and wool can withstand any adverse environmental conditions that many animals are not on the teeth.  Cashmere jackets, bags, sweaters, cardigans, dresses, rituals, mittens, cardigans, sweatshirts and other products made of camel hair - Mongolia is known for Mongolia products worldwide.

5. Naadam Festival

Many come to Mongolia to see the annual Naadam Festival, a unique combination of spectacles, competitions and national holidays. The opening begins with a solemn parade, which is difficult to confuse with anything. Competitions include horse racing, wrestling and archery, but they are held in strictly Mongolian style. Men and women try to hit targets from high arches, which have not changed much since Genghis Khan. School-age jockeys chase their horses along pre-planned routes, which can be as long as 30 km. And mighty wrestlers in frank costumes seriously wave their hands in the ritual "Dance of the Eagle" before a fight with each other. Naadam" festival is unique - it is an exquisite and eloquent expression of nomadic national culture, an honorable celebration of independence and an outstanding combination of art and sport. Be sure to visit the Naadam Festival - it is something unimaginable!

6. Altai Tavan Bogd

Altai Tavan Bogd is one of the best places in Mongolia. National Park "Altai Tavan Bogd" is located on Russia and China's border in western Mongolia. Here have found their place the five highest mountain peaks in the country. Glaciers, lakes, waterfalls, archaeological sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage List - these are the most famous sights of Mongolia, rich in wildlife. The park is home to many endangered species, including the rams "argali", beech martens, mountain goats, red deer, black vultures, snow leopards and many other species. Although the park is available all year round, the best time to travel to Mongolia is June to October. The temperature during this period is quite warm, and tourist routes are working at full capacity. August and September are usually the busiest months for tourists, so it is better to go on a trip in early summer.

7. Erden Zu Monastery in Harhorin

Harhorin was once the capital of the Mongol Empire founded by Genghis Khan. On the ancient city's outskirts, you can find the Erden-Dzum Monastery, the first Buddhist temple, built-in 1585 and still in operation today. Erden-Dzum Monastery is a sample of historical Mongolian architecture and the Yellow Lamaism center (a spiritual direction in Buddhism). Most of the temples were destroyed during the Soviet Union by the ruling party, but Erdeni Dzum could survive and remain to this day. You can often see monks with huge eagles in their hands near the temple - an exciting sight!

8. The Gobi Desert

Gobi Desert, whose name means "waterless place", was once an essential region of the Mongol Empire - it was here that the Silk Trade Route, connecting China with Europe and the Middle East, passed.  As the second-largest desert in the world (after "Sahara" in Africa), it is famous for its landscape contrasts. In addition to the rocky plains, there are often high dunes, gorges, rocks, and snowy areas at any time of year. In 1991, UNESCO designated the desert as the fourth largest biosphere reserve in the world. "Gobi" is a land of dinosaurs and home for camels. The remains of ancient lizards are well preserved to this day. Here you can find wild donkeys, snow leopards, mountain rams and steppe gazelles, as well as a few species of vegetation - so the desert can not be called "dead".

9. Hubsugul lake

This is one of the most beautiful lakes that can be found on our planet. "Hubsugul" is located in the northern part of Mongolia on the border with Russia, at the southern foot of the "Sayan Ridge". In the ordinary people, it is better known as the "Blue Pearl of Mongolia". Its area is more than 2 500 km2, and the depth reaches 250 meters. Tectonic lake "Hubsugul" stores about 1% of all freshwater in the world! In winter it completely freezes, and on the ice, you can often see cars crossing the reservoir.

10. Orkhon Valley

is one of the best places in Mongolia. The Orkhon Valley is located at the foot of the Khangai Range in central Mongolia, about 360 kilometers southeast of Ulaanbaatar, capital of Mongolia. For centuries, many generations of Mongols lived here - this place is rightly considered the cradle of nomadic civilization. In the valley is Kharkhorin and the "Erdeni Dzum" Monastery, about which we wrote above. There is also a reserve "Husin Nyman Nuur", small mountains "Hangay", the river of the same name and the famous waterfall "Orkhon". The valley is often a starting point for many tourist routes.

11. City of Erdenet

In conclusion, I would like to touch upon the most important Mongolia cities, Erdenet. It is a typical industrial city with just over 80,000 inhabitants, making it the second settlement in Mongolia after Ulaanbaatar. Erdenet is a young city founded in 1974 and is the result of direct investment by the former Soviet Union authorities. Fatty deposits of copper and molybdenum allowed the ruling party to invest heavily in infrastructure. As a result, a vast open pit was created, the fourth largest copper mine globally. The mine itself employs about 8000 people, which produces 13% of annual GDP in Mongolia. There are several bazaars, many stores, hotels and snack bars in the city. Traditional Siberian houses are mixed with national yurts and high modern skyscrapers.

12. City of Darkhan

The second industrial city of Mongolia, and the third-largest city in the country. Just like Ardent, is a young city founded by the Communist Party of the USSR to produce building materials. Now Darkhan is a large agricultural center with beautiful Mongolia nature and historical, cultural monuments, which include essential sights of Mongolia. The city has a continental climate with warm summers and frigid winters. The best time to travel to Mongolia is in summer and early autumn.  Darkhan is an unusual tourist city worth visiting to feel Mongolia's atmosphere and enjoy the beautiful untouched Mongolia nature. Think over your route and travel in comfort!

Would you like to visit Mongolia? We will help you!

If your visit's purpose is tourism or another short-term stay up to 30 days, you do not need a visa to Mongolia. It is enough to have foreign passports. A permit to Mongolia will come in handy in all other cases, and it is better to do it in advance.  Filling out the application is in the consular section of Mongolia's Embassy in Moscow or other cities of Russia: Yekaterinburg, Ulan-Ude, Kyzyl and Irkutsk. The processing of documents is quite a complicated procedure, requires specific knowledge and attention. Our team of specialists will perfectly cope with this task - your participation will be reduced to a minimum and save you a lot of time.