a traveler's guide to the top must-visit places in mongolia
Mongolia offers a landscape of vast beauty and ancient culture. Nestled between China and Russia, this landlocked country features steppes, mountains, and forests that frame a traditional nomadic lifestyle. As a place of untouched wilderness and enduring heritage, Mongolia invites travelers to explore its unique environments and cultural depth. With this guide, Asia Online Tours will take you on our flight to Mongolia to the ten most highlighted destinations, each providing a window into the heart and history of this wonderful land.
Travelers Guide to The Top Must-Visit Places in Mongolia
Top Must-Visit Places for Travelers in Mongolia
1. Ulaanbaatar, the Capital Marvel:
Though Mongolian summers are charming, visiting Ulaanbaatar in winter offers a unique challenge. Despite traffic and smog, you need not linger outdoors.
Ulaanbaatar Capital of Mongolia - © Andrea Marchegiani
Explore Ulaanbaatar's rich history indoors at key museums. The Chinggis Khaan National Museum, celebrating the legendary Khan, and the Winter Palace of Bogd Khaan, residence of Mongolia’s last monarch, Bogdo Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, are essential.
Best time to visit: The city offers a unique experience in each season, if only the temperature of -20 °C in the winter doesn’t make you hesitate.
2. Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, Nature's Canvas
Mongolia's Gobi Desert, renowned for its expansive landscapes, invites you to trek or ride through it on horse or camel. Within it, Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park in Umnugovi Province serves as an outdoor haven, echoing the lives of nomadic tribes.
Gobi Desert - © Gather
The park's highlight, Khongoryn Els or the "Singing Sands," is famous for the musical sounds its dunes produce under strong winds. Another key attraction is Yolyn Am, a gorge that transforms into a stunning ice-filled spectacle in winter.
Best time to visit: Late spring and autumn. Summer may be fine, but the average daily temperature is 34 °C, with some days reaching 40 °C.
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3. Khuvsgul Lake, the "Dark Blue Pearl”
Khuvsgul Lake, known as Mongolia's "Blue Pearl," is a stunning natural wonder in northern Mongolia. Encircled by mountains and forest steppes, the lake spans over 70 kilometers in length, 15 kilometers in width, and reaches depths of up to 262 meters.
Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Khuvsgul Lake for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking in summer. Winter transforms the lake into a hub for ice fishing and dog sledding.
Khuvsgul Lake - © Gather
Despite its lack of fish, Khuvsgul Lake holds nearly 70% of Mongolia's freshwater. Formed over two million years ago, it is part of a national park teeming with wildlife such as ibex, elk, and brown bears. The scenic trails offer breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding landscapes.
Best time to visit: We are delighted to state that Lake Khuvsgul is ideal in all seasons. Even in the summer, the water in this magnificent, crystal-clear lake is frigid.
4. Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, a Natural Wonderland
Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, near Ulaanbaatar, offers stunning alpine landscapes. Its mountains, valleys, rivers, and rock formations create a picturesque setting, dotted with traditional yurt camps.
The park provides a range of outdoor activities including hiking, rock climbing, and river rafting. Horseback riding through this epic scenery offers a quintessential Mongolian experience.
Gorkhi-Terelj National Park - © Andrea Marchegiani
While parts of the park are popular and can be busy, much of its terrain remains pristine. Attractions like glacial lakes, hot springs, and a Buddhist monastery make Gorkhi-Terelj a natural paradise ready for explorat
Best time to visit: Terelj National Park is the best all-year-round destination. We highly propose that you experience dog sledding in the winter.
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5. Karakorum and Erdene Zuu Monastery, the Acient Capital
Karakorum, once the heart of the Mongol Empire and known as Har Horin, is steeped in history. Marco Polo visited in the 13th century when Genghis Khan declared himself the "Great Khan." Today, only ruins remain, set against vast skies and steppe.
The primary attraction is the Erdene Zuu Monastery, established in 1585 using remnants from Karakorum. It's one of Mongolia's oldest Buddhist monasteries and features three temples adorned with exquisite statues and carvings, surrounded by a striking wall lined with stupas.
Erdene Zuu Monastery - © The Travel
Though Karakorum hosts other, less magnificent ruins and archaeological sites, Erdene Zuu stands out as a monumental site, inviting exploration of its historical and cultural depth.
Best time to visit: Karakorum and Erdene Zuu Monastery are all-year-around destination for tourist who want to explore the ancient history of Mongolia.
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6. Hustai National Park, Wild Horses Galore
Just a short drive from Ulaanbaatar, Hustai National Park offers a prime view of the Mongolian steppe, enhanced by the picturesque Khentii Mountains. Traveling through the park, you encounter small herds of wild horses roaming the vast, open landscape, with only distant mountains breaking the horizon. The expanse of the steppe is overwhelming.
Wild Horses in Hustai National Park - © Peapix
While soaking in the stunning scenery is captivating, finding a small cluster of yurts provides a comforting sense of place in the vastness.
Best time to visit: Hustai National Park is an all-year-around nomadic-rich culture destination for adventurous souls.
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7. Orkhon Valley, Cultural Heartland
Located in the heart of Mongolia, the Orkhon Valley is home to the sacred Otuken mountain-forest, revered as the dwelling of ancestral spirits. Control of this site historically conferred divine legitimacy to rule, making it vital to every Turkic state in the steppe.
The valley is dotted with significant historical sites and cultural landmarks. Highlights include the eighth-century Orkhon monuments, Tuvkhun Hermitage, the ruins of Karakorum, and Erdene Zuu Monastery.
Orkhon Valley - © Aisle Seat Please
Traveling through the valley's vast, empty landscapes offers a profound sense of solitude, punctuated only by livestock and wild horses, and the occasional yurt dotting the expansive steppe.
Best time to visit: Best recommend that you plan your Mongolia travel during summer, early spring and autumn.
8. Tsenkher Hot Springs, Natural Retreat
Enjoy the scenic forested hills from the outdoor pools or unwind in the steamy indoor baths at Tsenkher Hot Springs, accessible year-round. Heated naturally to 85°C, these springs rank as Mongolia's second hottest, situated at the base of a forested mountain near Tsetserleg city in Tsenkher soum.
Tsenkher Hot Springs - © Chloe Mo
Locals tout the springs for their health benefits, claiming they help treat rheumatism, neuralgia, and muscle pain, aid digestion, and boost immunity post-surgery.
Best time to visit: Best recommend to visit here in late autumn and winter to best experience these hot springs.
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9. Kharkhorin, Legacy of the Past
On the eastern border of the Orkhon Valley lies Kharkhorin, the former capital of Genghis Khan's Mongolian Empire. Although Kublai Khan later moved the court to Beijing, and Ming troops destroyed the city in the 13th century, relics like two granite turtles—Mongolian symbols of longevity—remain.
Kharkhorin - © Gather
Kharkhorin was known for its religious tolerance, hosting mosques, Christian churches, and Buddhist monasteries side by side. Among them, the 16th-century Erdene Zuu Monastery still stands today, showcasing the city's historical embrace of diverse faiths.
Best time to visit: Best recommend for summer, early spring and autumn visit.
10. Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, Where Nature Meets History
Altai Tavan Bogd National Park in Bayan-Ulgii Province, nearly 1,920 kilometers from Ulaanbaatar, is a prime destination for trekkers, mountaineers, and nature enthusiasts. The park is not only rich in natural beauty but also surrounded by diverse ethnic groups and historic sites. Its highest peak, Khuiten Uul, stands at 4,374 meters and is Mongolia's tallest, accessible only to experienced climbers on guided expeditions.
Altai Tavan Bogd National Park - © Gather
A must-see are the Shiveet Khairkhan petroglyphs, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. These extensive rock drawings, ranging from wild animals to horseback figures, date back to the early Bronze Age.
Best time to visit: We recommend going there in June, July, August, September, and October. Keep in mind that the Golden Eagle Festival takes place in October near the Altai Tavan Bog.
Conclusion
Our journey through Mongolia's top ten destinations reveals a land of diverse landscapes and rich history. Each location offers a unique experience, from the silent expanses of the Gobi Desert to the spiritual tranquility of Erdene Zuu Monastery. Mongolia's blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage makes it an invaluable destination for those seeking adventure and enlightenment. As travelers, embracing these cultural experiences enriches our understanding of the world and deepens our appreciation for Mongolia's enduring charm.
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