Best Things to Do in Mongolia

23/02/2023

Golden Eagle Festival

Held every year in Olgii in the far west of Mongolia, the Golden Eagle Festival is a spectacular show sure to set your spirits soaring. Over the course of a weekend in October, a hundred or so Kazakh eagle hunters come to celebrate their heritage through competitions, cultural exhibitions and ceremonies.

Dressed to impress in traditional attire, the hunters compete over a number of categories, and their eagles are rated on speed, agility, and accuracy. Besides their heart-stopping hunts, there are also camel races, horse games, and archery to enjoy. A fascinating festival like no other, Olgii’s eagles certainly are exhilarating to watch, with loads of great photo ops to be had of all the events and festivities.

23/02/2023

Horse Riding in Orkhon Valley

For millennia, Orkhon Valley was considered the epicenter of steppe life, culture, and power, with countless khans and kingdoms originating here. As such, it is now littered with historical sights and cultural landmarks: magnificent monuments, monasteries, and memorials are found alongside the remains of the once-great city of Karakorum. In addition, the valley boasts beautiful scenery, with sparkling waterfalls and flower-filled meadows spied here and there.

The area is best explored on horseback. Set almost perfectly in the center of Mongolia, Orkhon Valley is a fantastic place to experience the country’s rich pastoral traditions and nomadic ways of life as you stay in gers and follow in the footsteps of the khans.

23/02/2023

21/02/2023

Gandan Monastery

One of the most important and impressive monasteries in Mongolia, Gandan lies in the heart of the nation’s capital, Ulaanbaatar. First erected in 1809, it has been rebuilt and restored numerous times over the years, thankfully escaping unscathed from the religious purges of the 1930s. Exhibiting astounding architecture that draws on Chinese, Mongol, and Tibetan influences, the monastery is home to terrific temples and brilliant Buddhist icons and images.

Of the many superb statues, its 26.5-metre-high gold-cased likeness of Avalokitesvara is the star attraction. Meaning ‘Great Place of Complete Joy’ in Tibetan, Gandan Monastery is amazing to visit. It’s still in use to this day, with monks performing daily rites and ceremonies in its grounds.

19/02/2023

Tsenkher Hot Springs

Set among the verdant foothills of the Khangai Mountains, the steaming and soothing Tsenkher Hot Springs have long been noted for their healing properties. Lying in Arkhangai Province, the springs are located in an idyllic spot surrounded by wonderful woods and rolling hills.

Reputed to be the second-hottest in the whole of Mongolia, they are heated by volcanic sources from the nearby mountains. Nowadays, visitors to the Tsenkher Hot Springs can stay in the various resorts that dot the region and relax and unwind in outdoor pools, indoor baths, and spas.

In addition, hiking and horseback riding are very pleasant to do in the picturesque hills and valleys.

17/02/2023

Bayanzag

More commonly known as the ‘Flaming Cliffs’, Bayanzag is a breathtakingly beautiful part of Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, found in the south center of the country. The stunning sandstone cliffs were so nicknamed due to their ruddy hue by the paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews, who excavated the area in the 1920s.

Over the years, a number of fascinating fossils and dinosaur eggs have been uncovered here among its delightfully desolate landscapes. While there is not all that much to do at Bayanzag besides clamber over the cliffs and take in the endless emptiness, the Flaming Cliffs certainly make for an epic sight, particularly when lit up at sunset.

15/02/2023

Khorgo-Terkh National Park

Lying in the alluring and attractive Arkhangai Province of central Mongolia, Khorgo-Terkh National Park boasts splendid scenery and dramatic landscapes. Centered around the reflective waters of Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur or ‘Great White Lake’, the park is home to endless hills, steppe, and a large volcanic field.

Its other standout feature is the lofty 2,240-metre-high Khorgo Mountain, a dormant volcano with a cavernous crater that offers outstanding views of the nearby lake from its summit. The national park is a lovely place to visit, and hiking, swimming, camping, and horse trekking are all popular pastimes.