Travel Asia

Mongolia is located right above China on the map. And because they basically share a good chunk of land off Northern Asia, there are a lot of similarities in their culture, physical traits, and history.

The Attraction

Mongolia is the realm of the great warrior Genghis Khan. Learn more about the people, their ancestry, and what the land really have to offer through the country’s major destinations.

Major Tourist Attractions

The National Museum of Mongolian History

If you want to dig deeper into Mongolia’s rich ancient history, this is the place you should go first. The museum is full of artifact collections amassed from all eras of Mongolian history. The museum is located at the city capital, Ulaanbaatar.

Orkhon Khurkhree

Orkhon Khurkhree is a magnificent waterfall that can be considered as one of its kind. It falls off the cliff and into the pool, eventually flowing towards Orkhon River. The water of Orkhon is rather cold, but it is definitely suited for bathing. The water is so clear you can go and head for a nice swim. Just keep in mind that almost all Mongols don’t enjoy swimming. So don’t expect locals enjoying the water that much.

Erdene Zuu

Buddhism is a practiced religion in Mongolia. As such, there are several Buddhist monastery established throughout the land. Erdene Zuu is the first ever Buddhist monastery. It is so large it housed more than 1,000 monks at a time.

Yolin Am

Yolim Am is referred to as the vulture canyon. If you enjoy trekking while on vacation, this is the spot for you. The canyon is narrow and jagged. It can be a good challenge to expert mountaineers. For others, they can simply take in the beautiful view.When it rains, mini waterfalls run along the canyon’s walls.

Gandantegchilen Kloster

Gandan is the largest monastery in Mongolia. And it is still being used up to this day. The monastery is built in 1810 and was destroyed during socialism. The temple was reconstructed in 1990.

Khyatruuni Rashaan

Khyatruunii Rashaan is a mineral spring. Unfortunately, you can’t reach it with a car. To get there, you have to hike. But don’t worry, the pains of going there is all worth it. The place is so serene with blooming meadows.

Naadam

Naadam is actually one of Mongolia’s national holidays and it is celebrated like the Olympics. The only difference is that they fairground and nomad’s games are played instead of today’s popular ball games. Expect horsemen, wrestlers, and archers participating in the events.

Bayan Zag

Bayan Zag is referred to as the flaming cliffs. It got that name because the ragged rock formed from reddish-brown sediments. This tourist spot is best viewed early in the morning or before the sun goes down. During such times, the cliffs look totally red like giant burning coals.

How to Get There

The Mongolian International Airline’s is Mongolia’s official carrier. There are lots of gateways to Mongolia coming from these cities: Peking, Berlin, Frankfurt, Moscow, Khokh Khot, Osaka, Irkutsk, and Seoul. If you come from these places or are near any of them, getting to Mongolia should not be a problem for you. Otherwise, you can always take the next flight to Peking and go from there.

Traveling Around

Rental cars and taxis are many in Mongolia. Taxis that are operating within the place are either commercial or private. Should you choose to ride one, you have to know where you wanted to be dropped off. Negotiate the fare before hopping into the car. Rental cars are usually rented with the driver. Public transports like buses and subways are also available. For short distances, you might want to ride yaks, horses, or camels for experience.