Western Mongolia
The freshwater lake of Tsagaan Nuur reveals itself on the western approach to Dayan Uul.
Must-see attractions in Mongolia
Western Mongolia
These 20m-high falls cascade over black boulders in summer with snow still clumped in shady spots under rocks and trees.
Mongolia
This small temple near the town square has a woman for a head lama, unusual for a Mongolian monastery.
Western Mongolia
The small monastery towards the base of the hill has around 20 monks and daily ceremonies at 10am.
Bairam Davaa Ancient Graves and Balbals
Western Mongolia
Various ancient grave sites beside the track leading up to the steep Bairam Davaa pass.
Western Mongolia
Mountain pass Zagastain Davaa ('Fish Pass') is 48km northeast of Uliastai on the Uliastai–Tosontsengel Rd. At the top, there are fine views, a large ovoo …
Mongolia
The small Aimag Museum features a mastodon tusk, a protoceratops skull, Chinggis Khaan–era armour and an array of stuffed local wildlife. In the central…
Ulaanbaatar
Buddha Park is harder to appreciate these days since the construction of a high-rise, commercial development that encompasses the 23m-high Sakyamuni…
Ulaanbaatar
The square that bears Damdin Sükhbaatar's name features a statue of him astride his horse. The words he apparently spoke when declaring Mongolia's…
Ulaanbaatar
The white colonnaded building to the southwest of Sükhbaatar Sq is the Mongolian Stock Exchange, which was opened in 1992 in the former Children's Cinema…
Ulaanbaatar
Very much symbolic of UB's rise in fortune is the swanky Central Tower, home to luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Armani. As well as retail and…
Ulaanbaatar
The large, white square building located just southwest of the Victims of Political Persecution Memorial Museum is called the Wedding Palace. Built in…
Ulaanbaatar
In front of the Central Museum of Mongolian Dinosaurs (the former Lenin Museum), Freedom Sq is UB's traditional gathering spot for political rallies and…
Ulaanbaatar
Located atop of Bondkhan Uul (1620m) is this Soviet-era observatory that offers fantastic views over the city. While those into astrology are welcome to…
Mongolia
This red statue of Alan Goa, a locally revered folk heroine, looks like a Roman legionary planted incongruously in the middle of an alpine meadow. Despite…
Western Mongolia
This barely discernible hump running along the southwestern edge of Khar Us Nuur is thought to date back to the Kublai Khaan period, when it may have…
Western Mongolia
About 10km west of Sagsai, this unusually broad balbal (stone figure believed to be a Turkic grave marker) with hands clasped at the base, is one of the…
Mongolia
Terelj Village is about 27km from the park entrance, at the end of a paved road. It has a nice location near the river, and is a good spot to arrange a…
Mongolia
In the centre of a local park, you'll find statues of local wrestlers placed next to other naadam athletes practicing archery and horse riding. The park…
Mongolia
This small geological research station marks the end of the road that runs up the western shore of Khövsgöl Nuur; from here, the track becomes a rocky,…
Mongolia
This stupa was built in 1890 to honour local hero Khainzan Gelenkhuu (1870–1937), who leapt off a 200m cliff with a set of sheepskin wings and flew as if…
Ulaanbaatar
Across from the Central Post Office (CPO) is a statue of S Zorig, who at the age of 27 helped to lead the protests that brought down communism in 1990 …
Western Mongolia
Apart from its foundations, nothing remains of the garrison established by Manchurian generals in 1733. It's a half-hour ramble across grassy meadows and…
Ulaanbaatar
Behind the Chinggis Khaan Statue in Sükhbaatar Square stands Government House. An inner courtyard of the building holds a large ceremonial ger used for…
Mongolia
A group of Tsaatan herders nicknamed 'business Tsaatan' have set up a souvenir camp here with miserable-looking reindeer who cannot cope with the area's…
Mongolia
This is one of the main balbal (stone figure believed to be a Turkic grave marker) sights, on the north edge of town. It consists of two huddled figures.
Western Mongolia
A few hundred metres further up the valley from the caves are some burial mounds; to the uninitiated, these would appear to be nothing more than piles of…
Ulaanbaatar
Unveiled in 2006 this statue of Mohandas Gandhi is appropriately located on the street named after him. Inscribed on the plinth are his seven deadly sins.
Western Mongolia
Near the town of Bayannuur and close to the Khovd Gol is this interesting white-stone balbal (stone figure believed to be a Turkic grave marker).
Ulaanbaatar
The tall, modern Palace of Culture is a useful landmark, containing the Mongolian National Modern Art Gallery and several other cultural institutions.
Western Mongolia
This balbal (stone figure believed to be a Turkic grave marker) can be found south of Mogoit Valley, on the way to Khurgan Nuur.
Western Mongolia
The vestiges of the former airport can be seen on the east side of town (the newer airport is several km out of town to the west).
Western Mongolia
This metal watchtower on the western shore of Khar Us Nuur has been set up for viewing birdlife in the surrounding reed islands.
Mongolia
This statue memorialises Mijiddorjiin Khanddorj, also known as Chin Van Khan, a famous early 20th-century independence leader.
Western Mongolia
This balbal (stone figure believed to be a Turkic grave marker) is about 8km south of Syrgal's shops.
Mongolia
Darkhan's local palace of all things sport (which mainly means wrestling) serves as a useful landmark.
Western Mongolia
A typical rural naadam set-up consisting of a wrestling field, podium and ramshackle grandstand.
Mongolia
A forgettable statue of the Soviet puppet dictator and namesake of the capital of Dornod aimag.
The Gobi
Altai's working monastery is not well set up for visitors. It's at the base of Shuteen Park.
