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Mongolia is a fascinating country to explore, with vast grasslands and unique cultural traditions of nomadic communities.
Mongolia offers unparalleled opportunities for exploration and adventure, with its vast grasslands and rich cultural heritage of nomadic communities. If you're planning a trip to Mongolia, here are 10 things you absolutely can't miss.
1. Explore the capital city, Ulaanbaatar
Kickstart your Mongolian adventure in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. Here, you can explore countless museums, monasteries, and other fascinating attractions. To immerse yourself in the culture and life of the Mongolian people before venturing into the outskirts, choose a reputable hotel or guesthouse to stay in the capital for at least two nights.
The tourism industry in Mongolia is still in its developmental stage, so you may encounter difficulties in finding tour guides, purchasing train tickets, or other modes of transportation. Although there are some companies that assist travelers with these arrangements, the service fees are relatively high. However, quality hotels in Ulaanbaatar often help guests find guides and provide advice on sightseeing destinations.
2. Dive into history
Mongolian history is intertwined with horses, nomadic customs, the Great Wall of China, and the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. Travelers should begin their Mongolian exploration journey at the National Museum located in the heart of Ulaanbaatar city. It's the largest museum in Mongolia and will take you through the country's history from ancient times to the present day.
3. Experience Nomadic Life in a Mongolian Ger
The traditional dwelling of Mongolian nomads is still in use today. Staying in a traditional ger is a must-do when visiting Mongolia.
Even in the outskirts of the capital city Ulaanbaatar, you'll find these types of gers if you wish to experience traditional life while still enjoying the amenities of urban living.
In the outskirts, many families are willing to welcome guests into their homes. However, if you prefer not to stay in a local home, you can opt for tourist ger camps that resemble traditional gers on the outside but offer modern amenities like a hotel.
4. Camel Riding Adventure in the Gobi Desert
To reach the rural areas of Mongolia, you must traverse the Gobi Desert. During the journey across the Gobi Desert, travelers may need to spend a night or even a whole day. However, it's an exciting journey that everyone visiting Mongolia should experience. In the town of Dalanzadgad, you have the opportunity to explore the desert's features, including the Bayanzag cliffs and the vast sand dunes at Khongriin Els.
Even in winter, the Gobi Desert offers an interesting experience. Although the temperature doesn't drop as low as in other parts of Mongolia, you can still feel the bone-chilling cold or see camels with thick fur walking on snow.
5. Overnight Stay at a Monastery
Although many Mongolians are non-religious, Buddhism remains the primary religion in this country. In Ulaanbaatar and other major cities, you'll often see many monks walking the streets. For an interesting experience, travelers can visit and request overnight stays at monasteries like the Manjusri Monastery located within the Bogd Khan National Park south of Ulaanbaatar city.
Travelers often struggle to find information about overnight stays at monasteries in Mongolia. However, you can seek assistance from tour guides who can help you arrange accommodations in advance or directly ask the monastery managers you visit, as they are usually reluctant to refuse.
6. Horseback Riding
Once in Mongolia, every traveler surely wants to experience horseback riding across the vast grasslands of this country. If you're horseback riding for sightseeing, it's advisable to hire a tour guide. Typically, travelers to Mongolia often buy horses for use and then sell them after the journey ends. This option is cheaper than renting horses.
Guides can also assist you in finding overnight accommodations, whether in hotels or in tents with local families. Additionally, travelers can also pitch their own tents for a private experience.
7. Try Horse Milk Wine
Horse milk wine is a famous delicacy of Mongolia. It tastes similar to regular wine but with the distinct aroma of horse, and it has a relatively high alcohol content. It's worth noting that if you're invited into a local's home, it's considered impolite to refuse horse milk wine when offered.
Apart from horse milk wine, you should also try some other beverages like Borgio and Altai Gobi or the dark beer called Khar Khorum. Another stronger yet lighter option than beer and less potent than horse milk wine is vodka, which is very cheap and easy to buy at local stores.
8. Explore Lake Khovsgol
Although the capital city Ulaanbaatar is the coldest city in the world in winter, Mongolia is relatively warm in summer. During this time, locals often head to the outskirts on weekends to enjoy the scenery at Lake Khovsgol. Here, you can swim in the cool waters of Lake Khovsgol, fish, go boating, or hike to admire the views.
Travelers can reach Lake Khovsgol by plane or bus from the capital city Ulaanbaatar to Mörön, one of the main cities along the lake. Taking the bus allows you the opportunity to admire the Mongolian countryside through the car windows.
9. Experience Festivals
Participating in festivals is the quickest way to experience Mongolian culture. One of the most famous and largest festivals in the country is the Naadam Festival, which takes place from July 11th to 13th every year. This festival is also considered the second oldest Olympics in the world.
Here, locals take pride in watching their favorite athletes compete. The three main events of the festival are archery, horse racing, and wrestling. Additionally, there are many other activities such as traditional dances and cuisine.
Another famous festival in Mongolia is the Bayan-Ölgii Eagle Festival, held at the end of September. At this festival, you can see many eagles, which, although originating from neighboring Kazakhstan, have lived in Mongolia for decades and have adapted to the climate here.
10. Snowboarding on the Altai Mountains
In Mongolia, you can go snowboarding near the capital city Ulaanbaatar on pristine, completely natural, and clean slopes.
If you want to hire a local guide to help transport equipment, you should invite a few more friends to save on service costs.
Posted by: Huynh Van
Keywords: 10 Amazing Experiences You Should Do in Mongolia
