5 Mongolian hotspots for unspoiled nature and Ulaanbaatar
Mongolia is the ultimate destination for travelers who want to experience the steppes, the edge of nomadic culture, and soak up the vast grasslands, clouds so close you can touch them, blue skies and clear air, and beautiful night skies. Traveling in Mongolia is simple.
Head to the Gobi Desert in the south for desert trekking, or to Lake Hovgul in the northwest for relaxation. Then, if you have time, head to Terlj National Park. If you’re traveling during Mongolia’s short spring, it’s a much wiser choice to head to Lake Hovsgul, where life is just beginning to emerge, rather than the desert, which wears the same face every season.
Ulaanbaatar is the capital of Mongolia, where your trip begins and ends. Take in the cityscape from the Jaisung Observatory, visit Chinggis Khan Square, shop at the state-owned department store, or grab a coffee at one of the city’s sidewalk cafes.
1. Sightseeing in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
The Classic Ulaanbaatar Tour: Small-Group with a Local Guide
Most tourists start and end their trips to the rest of Mongolia from this city, so sightseeing in Ulaanbaatar is a must on the way there and back. Ulaanbaatar has a variety of attractions for visitors to enjoy. Some of the highlights include Gandan Monastery, a Buddhist temple with a long history; Sukhbaatar Square, home to a statue of Mongolian hero Damdin Sukhbaatar and a number of government buildings and monuments; Zaisan Hill, a viewpoint overlooking the city and a great place to watch the sunset; Naran Tuul Bazaar, a huge traditional bazaar; the Bokd Khan Palace Museum, the former residence of Mongolia’s last king; and the National Mongolian Museum.
2. Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex, the 800th Anniversary of the Founding of the Mongol Empire
Genghis Statue & Gorkhi-Terelj National Park Tour
Whereas the United States has the Statue of Liberty, Mongolia has the Chinggis Khan Mounted Statue. Built in 2008 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Mongolian Empire, the statue is located on the hillside of Cheongjin, where Chinggis Khan lost his golden whip during the Unification War against five powerful Mongolian tribes. After reclaiming the golden whip, he went on a winning streak and finally established the foundation of a unified empire.
The statue, made of 250 tons of iron, is 40 meters high, and the horse’s head is the observation deck. Take the elevator up to the observation deck and you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. The equestrian statue of Chinggis Khan is supported by a 10-meter-high, three-story building. Inside the building are exhibits on Mongolian history and culture, a restaurant, cafe, souvenir shop, and meeting rooms.
3. Peaceful ger camps, the Milky Way, meteor showers and stargazing (Stellar Observation)
Kharkhorum, Khustai, Mini Gobi & Ger Under the Stars: 3-Day Tour
Mongolia is home to many ger camps, which are accommodations in gers. Gers are the homes of nomadic herders.
They are made of wood and covered with felt, which makes them easy to move, dismantle, and assemble. The round and spacious structure is aerodynamic to withstand the cold and strong winds of Central Asia. The round hole in the ceiling is called a toonora, and it serves as a sundial. Determining the time by looking at the light coming in.
The biggest factor that hinders stargazing is light. In cities, light pollution is more to blame than air pollution. Mongolia is so sparsely populated that everywhere but Ulaanbaatar is a stargazing destination.Mongolia is a pristine region where you can see the Milky Way without a telescope. You can lie down on the ground anywhere and starlight will pour in. Observing from Lake Hovsgul is a bit special. There’s a ger on the lake’s ocean-like shore, and you can watch the Milky Way pass by and meteors fall in the ocean-like sky above the ger without any equipment. However, if you’re planning a stargazing trip, it’s best to avoid the area during the full moon, when the light is so bright that it blocks out the stars in all directions.
4. Khovsgol Lake, the Lake of the Gods
Crystal Clear Khuvsgul Lake Tour 5 days
About 800 kilometers northwest of Ulaanbaatar is Khovsgol Lake. It’s the largest and deepest lake in Mongolia, which is why Mongolians call it Khovsgol dalai (Далай, sea) rather than Khovsgol nur (нуур, lake). Surrounded by continents on all sides and unable to see the ocean, Lake Khovsgol is a substitute for the sea for Mongolians. Blue skies meet the crystal clear lake, and small, pretty villages are nestled in the coniferous forests that surround the lake. The “Switzerland of Mongolia” is a great place to stay in nature and enjoy a variety of activities, including horseback riding, trekking, and boat tours.
Springtime at Khovsgol Lake is like no other. In the village of Khovsgol on the south side of the lake, you can also get a glimpse of local life. You can take a leisurely stroll through the village and look at the souvenirs made from reindeer antlers, or sit down at a restaurant and enjoy a canned or smoked dish made from fish caught in Khovsgol Lake.
5. Horseback riding camp in the wildflower meadows of Gorkhi-Terelj National Park
Terelj National Park Morning Horseback Ride
At 1600 meters above sea level and cooler and more scenic than Ulaanbaatar, Terelj was first developed as a tourist destination in 1964, and 30 years later it was designated as Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. The combination of rocky mountains, valleys, and green meadows offers a wide range of activities, including trekking, rock climbing, swimming, rafting, and horseback riding, and is a favorite among locals and international travelers alike.
The rocky mountains dotting the park are made of Mesozoic granite, which was originally the sea, then became hills and mountains as it rose, and has been eroded by the elements over the years. People camp by the river here to fish and swim and stay in the mountains to enjoy horseback riding and trekking.
For horseback riders, Mongolian summers are a paradise. There’s a saying in Mongolia: “Ride a horse that goes more than three paces. It’s not a joke. For Mongolians, horses and riding are a way of life. Every June, the green meadows are filled with wildflowers and the scent of fragrant herbs lingers in the forests. At this time of year, Mongolia is a beautiful place to be, but in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage-listed Terzi National Park, there are dense forests and crystal-clear rivers, where the trees are tall enough to reach the sky and the rivers are cool and swift. Horseback trekking is the best way to experience the vastness of the park. You’ll explore turtle-like rocks and outcroppings, pass by the Buddhist temple of Ariyabal, and visit the statue of Chinggis Khan, Tianjin Bulduk. Think of the trip as traveling from ger to ger on horseback. If you’re new to horseback riding, it’s a good idea to take advantage of a tour operator’s program.
