Tourist Attractions Around Mongolia

Mongolia is one of the few large countries of the world that has very few urban settlements. Nearly half the population of the country lives in rural areas, or leads a nomadic life, wandering in and ekeing out a living in the wold's highest desert, the famed Gobi Desert.  

The largest and most important city in the country is the capital, Ulaanbaatar. It is not just the administrative centre of Mongolia, but also the cultural and economic hub of the country. Other than  Ulaanbaatar, there are few cities or towns of any great importance. Kharakhorum, Genghis Khan’s capital, is one of the most historical cities in the country, with its stupas, temples and ruins dating back to the days of the Mongols.

Khustain Nuruu Nature Reserve: Situated in the heart of Mongolia’s unspoilt steppes, the Khustain Nuruu Nature Reserve was set up in 1993, specifically to preserve the fast-vanishing wild takhi horses (also known as Przewalski’s horse). At one time, the takhi horses were plentiful, and huge herds used to roam the steppes; but thoughtless poaching took its toll over the years, and the species nearly became extinct in the 1960s. The Khustain Nuruu today is home to around 200 takhi horses, and is worth a visit if you’re interested in wildlife and nature. To get to the national park, you can go by bus, minibus or shared taxi to the nearest town, Zuunmod, which lies 40 km from Ulaanbaatar. About 60 km from Zuunmod is the reserve, which can be reached by jeep- you can hire one in Zuunmod.

Kharkhorum: The legendary capital of the Mongolian hero, Genghis Khan, Kharokhorum is today a small and dreary town, but at one time it was a major metropolis, lying astride the Silk Route. Founded in 1220 in the Orkhon valley, Kharkhorum (or, as it’s known today, Kharkhorin) remained the Mongolian capital for only about 40 years, but in this time- and in the centuries to follow- it became a city of great importance, both political and religious. Even today, the city’s ruins include some fairly impressive stupas, walls, monasteries (one of which has again become active, after the end of communism in Mongolia) and temples. The main place of religious significance in Kharkhorin is the Erdene Zuu Buddhist Monastery, the most important monastery in Mongolia. Originally a huge temple complex, Erdene Zuu was largely destroyed over the years, but today has three of its original temples again in use, along with a neighbouring museum on the monastery’s history. Kharkhorin can be reached either by plane or by bus from Ulaanbaatar (the bus ride is a 7 to 8 hour journey; the city lies about 370 km from the capital).

Khövsgöl Nuur: The largest and deepest lake in Mongolia, the Khövsgöl Nuur is easily one of the most picturesque places in the country.

 It’s surrounded by mountains, pine forests and pastoral land, and its waters are such a vivid blue that the locals refer to it as 'The Dark Blue Pearl’ – an apt description.

The lake is situated along Mongolia’s northern border with Russia, and is the largest tributary stream of Lake Baikal in Russia. A total of 90 rivers flow into Khövsgöl, and one river flows out- Egiin Gol, which flows to Baikal. Khövsgöl is frozen from January to April or May, but once it thaws, it’s a popular tourist destination. If you’re keen on visiting it, you’ll have to get a permit beforehand (contact the MNTC office in Ulaanbaatar for details). A few planes fly to the lake, and there are regular buses from the capital (which lies to the south-east). Alternatively, you could hire a jeep and strike out on your own.

Other than these, you could pay a visit to the Terelj Resort, a lovely place tucked away amidst pine-forested mountains, and green valleys full of edelweiss and other wildflowers; it’s just two hours’ drive from   Ulaanbaatar.  

Or you could visit the Amarbayasgalant Monastery, 360 km from the capital, almost 350 years old and the second most important monastery in the country after Erdene Zuu. If you’re really keen on just wandering through the wilds of the Gobi Desert and the steppe, it would be good idea to hire a jeep and a guide in  Ulaanbaatar and set off on your own- it’s a great way to have some interesting adventures.