Otgon Tenger Uul Strictly Protected Area
Western Mongolia
Encompassing rivers, lakes and rocky peaks in the Khangai range, this protected area (955 sq km) wraps around Otgon Tenger Uul (meaning 'youngest sky'),…
Must-see attractions in Mongolia
Mongolia
These 17th-century ruins are a lovely 45-minute (2km) walk along a rocky path (follow the pink dots painted on the rocks) up the valley to the right of…
Mörön
An eerie dusty plain and the ruins of arched gates make for a dramatic backdrop to this monastery. The original structure (Möröngiin Khuree) was built…
Mongolia
Erdenemandal Khiid was originally built in 1830, about 20km from the present site. At the height of its splendour, there were seven temples and 1000 monks…
The Gobi
This fertile oasis located deep in the southern Gobi produces a tremendous amount of fruit and vegetables, and is probably the only place in Mongolia…
Mongolia
This monastery, built around 1840, was once one of the most active holy sites in eastern Mongolia. Though it contained three northern temples and four…
Mongolia
This memorial, comprising three stupas, was built to honour the 607 people from Dadal – mainly Buriats – who died during the political repressions of the…
The Gobi
This site is the mountain home of the spirit of the third Noyon Khutagt (a predecessor of Danzan Ravjaa). The temple halfway up the mountain is as far as…
The Gobi
This tiny freshwater spring is covered with a stone. Lift it off the opening and use the crude ladle fashioned from a stick and the business end of a…
Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area
Mongolia
To the northeast, Gorkhi-Terelj National Park joins the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area, comprising more than 12,000 sq km of the Töv, Selenge and…
Mörön
Given the variety of wildlife in the aimag, stuffed animals such as the ibex and the lynx are, not surprisingly, the main feature of the museum; there's…
Bogdkhan Uul Strictly Protected Area
Mongolia
The Bogdkhan Uul is said to be the world’s oldest nature reserve. Established in 1778, the park was guarded by 2000 club-wielding lamas. Animal poachers…
Mörön
This dusty park consists of a giant map of Khövsgöl aimag with each sum (district) represented by a bit of public artwork that ranges from appealingly…
Museum of the West Road Military Unit
Mongolia
The West Road Military Unit was a key force in freeing Mongolia from White Russian rule in 1921. Its history is described in this small museum, 2.5km…
Mongolia
The exterior of this museum, dedicated to the Battle of Khalkhiin Gol, reeks of age, pigeon poop and neglect, but the interior remains well tended and…
Mongolia
Like a socialist realist lightning bolt, this masterpiece of Stalinist monument-chic features a soldier on horseback flying straight towards the enemies…
Ulaanbaatar
The Wildlife Museum (formerly known as the Hunting Museum) is on the 2nd floor of the Baigal Ordon (Nature Palace) on the street leading to Gandan Khiid…
Mongolia
Shadavdarjaliin Khiid, in the western part of town near the Sports Palace, is a freshly painted, walled temple complex with some ovoo (shamanistic…
The Gobi
This research station has been set up to protect the reintroduced takhi (Przewalski’s horse). Most of the takhi now run free, although a few still live in…
Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park
Mongolia
Spanning some 773 sq km, this national park is most famous for its freshwater Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur (Great White Lake) and dramatic volcano Khorgo Uul. It…
Mongolia
It was here at Khökh Nuur that Temujin (the future Chinggis Khaan) first proclaimed himself khaan (emperor) of the Mongol tribe. It's a great place for a…
Mongolia
About 12km west of the sum (district) capital of Bulgan City, the ruined Khar Bukh Balgas is worth exploring and easy to reach; it’s just a few kilometres…
The Gobi
This cave has a funnel-like opening through which you can squeeze into a ger-sized cavern 18m below. One hundred years ago it glowed with quartz crystal,…
Khökh Serkh Strictly Protected Area
Western Mongolia
Meaning 'Blue Goat' in Mongolian, this mountainous area (659 sq km) on the border with Khovd is a haven for snow leopards, argali sheep and ibex. This is…
The Gobi
In 1936 there were 53 temples in Dundgovi; a year later the Mongolian KGB reduced nearly all to ash and rubble. In 1991 Dashgimpeliin Khiid was opened for…
Mongolia
This large lake is the scenic highlight of Khövsgöl's far south. There is excellent camping all around, or you can stay at the Dalai Vam Ger Camp, located…
Mongolia
Rising above Erdenet, to the northwest of the city centre, the summit of Bayan Öndör offers a splendid view of the surrounding area, including the copper…
The Gobi
Set in the Great Gobi A reserve, this centre specializes in breeding wild camels and releasing them into the wild to maintain the population. They are not…
Mongolia
A well-preserved Turkic-era balbal (stone grave marker) is 7km west of Chinggis. The squat-figured statue is covered in blue silk Hadaks (ritual scarves)…
Ulaanbaatar
This well-established contemporary art gallery features established and emerging Mongolian artists, along with a small gallery/gift shop. It's run by Ms…
Mongolia
This gate, framed by windblown ovoos (shamanistic offerings to the gods) and cawing ravens, faces onto a raw sweep of alpine meadows, rushing streams and…
Western Mongolia
The Khuiten Uul Base Camp (3092m) offers stunning views of all the five peaks as well as the 12km-long Potanii Glacier, which tumbles out of the range. It…
Mongolia
This is the natural spring from which Ögedei Khaan, son of Chinggis, took water and was cured of a serious stomach ailment (before he went on to drink…
Mongolia
A popular hike in Bogdkhan Uul is up to its summit at Tsetseegün Uul (2256m), which can be done as a day trek (six hours return) or a more leisurely…
Mongolian Artists’ Exhibition Hall
Ulaanbaatar
If you want to see Mongolian art, and perhaps buy some, head into the Mongolian Artists’ Exhibition Hall, on the 2nd floor of the white-marble building…
The Gobi
Surprisingly, this museum has little on dinosaurs – just a few legs, arms and eggs. (All of the best exhibits are in Ulaanbaatar or in other museums…
Sainshand Natural History Museum
The Gobi
This well-appointed museum houses plenty of stuffed Gobi animals, and a collection of seashells and marine fossils (Dornogovi was once beneath the sea)…
Mongolia
This trickle of a mineral water spring, where Chinggis Khaan once allegedly drank, is about 2.2km west of Deluun Boldog and is easily spotted by an…
Aryapala Initiation & Meditation Centre
Mongolia
Head north 3km from Turtle Rock and you'll reach this Buddhist site, built on a spectacular rocky hillside. Set aside 45 minutes here to walk the circuit…
The Gobi
The Altai Museum shows off some excellent bronze statues, scroll paintings, genuine Mongol army chain-mail, and an interesting shaman costume and drum…
