Introducing Mongolia
Mix up the vast landscapes of the Gobi, the snowcapped mountains of Bayan-Ölgi and the dramatic gorges and sparkling lakes of Khövsgöl. Sprinkle in the felt homes of the nomad and the cry of an eagle. Add Buddhist temples, mysterious ruins, abundant wildlife and legendary hospitality. Then top it all off with a conqueror who started with nothing and ended up changing history.
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If this description perpetuates your belief in an untouched country, then you also need the scoop on the new Mongolia. Add to the above internet cafés in Ulaanbaatar, herders chatting on mobile phones, Manhattan-style cocktail bars, eco-yurts and vegetarian cafés. The Humvees plying Peace Ave would probably have Chinggis Khaan turning green with envy.
Since the fall of communism, Mongolia has done just about everything in its power to open itself up to the world. While the old traditions survive and the wild nature is still mostly intact, Mongolia has also reached out to the West for economic and cultural ties. It’s not uncommon to meet Mongolians with degrees from universities in the USA, Europe or Australia.
Along with Japan and South Korea, Mongolia is one of the only legitimate democracies in the whole of Asia. Elections have proven to be free and fair. A constant parade of street protests have forced policy change on everything from mining laws to bus fares.
Democracy has given foreign investors enough confidence to stick with Mongolia during hard times. Attractive investment laws have lured some of the big boys of the mining world – the major target of Mongolia’s economic reformers. Despite their progression, Mongolia still faces enormous economic and social challenges; it remains one of the poorest countries in Asia, with typical salaries at less than US$100 a month.
Tourism, along with mining and cashmere, has become a key feature of the economy. The poor infrastructure and short travel season have kept receipts small, but a growing network of ger camps cater to travellers seeking ecotourism adventures. Without fences or private property to restrict a traveller’s movement, Mongolia is a perfect destination for horse trekking, long-distance cycling or hiking, or more leisurely activities such as fly-fishing, yak carting or camping out under a sprawling mass of stars.
Most travellers come for Naadam, the two-day summer sports festival that brings Ulaanbaatar to a standstill. But Mongolia’s unique charm will always lie in the countryside where, rather than being a spectator to the wrestling, you may find yourself making up the numbers! Outside the villages it’s easy to meet nomad families whose relentless sense of hospitality can at times be nothing short of overwhelming.
Mongolia is an up-and-coming Asian country with a young, well-educated population. The economy grows at a robust 7.5% per year – thanks mainly to China’s insatiable appetite for Mongolia’s raw materials. But Mongolia sits at a crucial crossroads: if the booming economy continues down the road of corruption, with a few getting rich and everyone else left behind, the country may never develop to its full potential.
As a travel destination, Mongolia is a special place for people who enjoy the outdoors and adventure. Heading out on the vast plains, riding horses and camping with nomad families, it offers the chance to step back in time to a simpler age and way of life. It is an invigorating and exhilarating place to visit, and remains one of the last unspoiled travel destinations in Asia.
Make it happen
Ready to go? Our recommended tours make it easy:
- explore wild Mongolia
- cross the Great Gobi Desert
- take the epic Trans Mongolia Express
- see the Naadam Festival
Want more? We can recommend other Mongolia trips
Last updated: Oct 22, 2009
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Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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Where to buy Mongolian currency in UK?
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Hotels & Hostels in Mongolia
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Tiara Guesthouse
Ulaanbaatar
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Idre's Guesthouse
Ulaanbaatar
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Zaya Guesthouse
Ulaanbaatar
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Mongolia
Our Top Picks For Mongolia
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1 Khövsgöl Nuur
Enormous alpine lake surrounded by mountains and Siberian forests; launch point for horse treks
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2 Darkhad Depression
Adventure destination with the opportunity to trek to reindeer herding camps
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3 Kharkhiraa Uul & Türgen Uul
Rugged region of mountains, glaciers and valleys that provide a summer home for nomadic herders
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4 Altai Tavan Bogd national Park
Diverse park containing ancient statues, burial mounds, alpine lakes and glacier-wrapped peaks, perfect for hiking
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5 Otgon Tenger Uul
Sacred mountain with alpine views and trekking routes
Fast Facts about Mongolia
- Annual economic aid received
approximately US$203 million
- Literacy rate
98%
- Average life expectancy
64 years
- Voter turnout
often over 80%
- GDP
US$2100 per capita, ranking Mongolia 125 out of 182 listed countries
- Proportion of people living below the poverty line
36%
- Head of livestock
34 million
- Leading 2007 exports
copper, wool, gold, cashmere, leather
- Population
2, 576, 000 (2007)
- Horse-to-human ratio
13 to 1
- Telephone usage
156, 000 landlines; over 800, 000 mobile phones
Related Groups
Our favourite Mongolia Blogs (beta)
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Lady at the Naadam Festival
Blog: A Lady in London - 21 July 2010
If there is a best time of year to visit Mongolia, it is certainly July. The annual Naadam Festival is the highlight of the Mongolian summer. A trifecta of traditional Mongolian wrestling, archery, and long-distance horse racing, the Naadam Festival showcases some of the country’s most impressive traditions. My last day in Mongolia was the opening [...]
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Lady in Terelj National Park
Blog: A Lady in London - 19 July 2010
Driving out of Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian countryside unfolds like a blanket of fields and mountains. The impossibly big sky with its cumulus clouds and cool, fresh air lend the area an unparalleled vastness. Suddenly a figure appears over the crest of a hill. Tall, bright, and gleaming in the sun, it’s difficult to make out what [...]
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Lady in Ulaanbaatar
Blog: A Lady in London - 15 July 2010
The first noticeable image on the road from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar is the billboards. Large, shiny, and all in English. Far from the land of Genghis Khan, this is the land of minerals and mining. The land of Western investors. But then we drive a bit further and start to notice something else: [...]
