Mongolia
Both our author and the inexpertly stuffed wildlife were wearing bemused expressions in this mildly interesting museum, which features exhibits on local…
Must-see attractions in Mongolia
Mongolia
Tsetserleg’s small, scrappy monastery (next to the museum) has a handful of monks who hold services at 11am in summer and 10am in winter. The main statue…
Ulaanbaatar
If you're in the area to visit the cashmere outlets, this Madam Tussauds'–style wax museum is worth a look to see realistic figures of Chinggis Khan,…
Ulaanbaatar
Well hidden within the Central Post Office, this small stamp museum covers Mongolia's history from 1924 to the current day. Of most interest are the…
Great Gobi 'B' Strictly Protected Area
Western Mongolia
Straddling Khovd and Govi-Altai aimags, this strictly protected area in the Gobi Desert was created to protect khulan (wild ass), gazelle, jerboas and…
Western Mongolia
Officially opened in 2010, this is the largest monastery in western Mongolia. The compound is surrounded by a wall (with a path on top) and 108 stupas…
Western Mongolia
Next door to the History Museum (and included in its admission price) the Museum of Famous People features well-known Zavkhanites, including Mongolia’s…
Western Mongolia
A pair of hillocks 3km west of town have a few petroglyphs etched into the boulders on top, and more in the narrow canyon between them. Performances are…
Western Mongolia
Close to Tavan Bogd, the lower slopes of Sheveed Uul (3350m) and its surrounding valleys contain some fascinating petroglyphs depicting wild animals and…
Ulaanbaatar
Rising from the ground like a giant shark fin is UB's most recognisable landmark, the Blue Sky Tower. This gleaming blue glass 105m-tall building houses a…
Mongolia
From this point, located almost exactly halfway up the western shore of Khövsgöl Nuur, there is a very inconsistent (and often impassable) westbound road…
Mongolia
This big Buddha statue isn't particularly noteworthy as big Buddha statues go, but you can catch a good view from the city here. It can be accessed from…
Western Mongolia
Climb the hundred or so steps up Ulaan Uul (Red Mountain) to an ovoo (a shamanistic collection of stones, wood or other offerings to the gods) and a…
Western Mongolia
Just outside of town on the south side of Ulaan Uul (Red Mountain), a small spring draws a steady crowd of picnicking locals who come here to drink the…
Mongolia
Located 1km east of the Chinggis Khaan monument stands the statue of his mother, Hoelun, who gazes back towards her son. A restaurant and hotel complex…
Mongolia
Just in case you weren't sure that you were about to enter Chinggis Khaan country, this gleaming white gate, flanked with steles and statues of Mongol…
Western Mongolia
Dechinravjaalin Khiid was originally founded in 1738 and housed seven temples and 2000 monks; the place was pulverised in 1937, thanks to Stalin. Its…
Mongolia
Housed inside a ger-shaped log cabin is this museum dedicated to the legendary Alan Goa – supposed ancestor of Chinggis Khaan, major figure in The Secret…
Western Mongolia
On the southwestern border with China, this reserve (18 sq km) was established to help preserve minj (beavers), sables and stone martens. A border permit…
Western Mongolia
In the Mogoit Valley is this oddly moustachioed balbal (stone figure believed to be a Turkic grave marker). There is a Kazakh cemetery with an interesting…
The Gobi
Very little remains of this monastery 21km south of the two at Ongiin Khiid itself save a scattering of broken brickwork and Chinese pottery. It is not a…
The Gobi
An impressive rock arch rises from the desert about 95km northeast of Sainshand in Altanshiree sum. If you're on the hunt for all of the Gobi's treasures,…
Mongolia
Looking like a big, class-warfare-fighting Santa Claus, this portrait of ol' Karl proudly glowers on a building located near the Russian restaurant…
Mongolia
About 30km south of Shine-Ider, you'll find a clump of standing stones and graves. Not much is known about this site, but it's got an eerie energy. They…
Western Mongolia
This mountainous region (2205 sq km) northeast of Khyargas Nuur is an important ecological indicator and home to musk deer, elk, red deer and wolves.
Mongolia
Has a small collection of religious artwork connected to the master sculptor. Ask at the Övörkhangai Province Museum for someone to open it up.
Mongolia
This bridge, formed by rough-hewn timbers and split logs, crosses the Hugin Gol in the shadow of a seriously atmospheric green valley. You'll cross here…
Western Mongolia
These petroglyphs, on a rise just behind the burial mounds, feature dozens of etched figures, including some of antelopes and even tigers.
Western Mongolia
Hidden between mountains is a 7m-high waterfall that flows down a narrow gorge; a glacier and a small glacial lake are 4km to the southeast.
Mongolia
This row of 13 ovoos (shamanistic offerings to the gods) made from sticks represents the 12 years according to the Asian calendar, plus one central ovoo.
Western Mongolia
South of Khar Us Nuur National Park, most of this reserve (300 sq km) lies in Mankhan sum (district) and protects the endangered Mongolian saiga antelope.
Tarvagatai Nuruu National Park
Western Mongolia
The Tarvagatai range branches off from the Khangai Nuuru and encloses a diverse wilderness environment of steppes, forested valleys, mountains, lakes and…
Mongolia
In the village you can visit the small Ovoon Khiid, which was built in 1990 (and has probably not been repainted since) and is served by a handful of…
Ulaanbaatar
This commercial gallery is worth a look to check out some contemporary Mongolian art, and possibly to pick up something for the wall back home.
Mongolia
Best known for the scenic Tövkhön Khiid, this national park is best reached with your own vehicle.
Western Mongolia
On the northwestern side of Khyargas Nuur, this cold spring bubbles out of the mountain. Locals say drinking from it has health benefits.
Mongolia
Near the riverbank there's a modest memorial marking the unknown heroes' grave, where 80 nameless Mongolian men are seeing out eternity.
Western Mongolia
Several impressive grave mounds beside the road to Khotgor, including two mounds surrounded by concentric circles and radiating spokes.
Western Mongolia
The newest conservation area in Uvs, this river reserve (7125 sq km) in the far east of the aimag protects waterfowl, beavers and fish.
Mongolia
Say goodbye to Khövsgöl with a drink of ice-cold water from this natural spring. Look for a fence festooned with shamanic scarves.
