Things to Do in Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar City View

Ulaanbaatar, which literally means "the red hero", is the capital of Mongolia and a modern city with vast grasslands. As the largest city, the political center and transportation hub of this country, Ulaanbaatar owns the youngest population and is called "the youngest city all over the world". Ulaanbaatar is considered as a wonderful combination of traditional and modern elements. Not far from the city center, you can see some Mongolian yurts. Although not all the local people live in yurts, most of them believe that the yurt is the most comfortable place to live in because it is economical, ventilated and easy to move.

See more about Zaisan Hill     Bogd Khan Winter Palace
 Lake Hovsgul is the most well-known symbol of this country, which looks like a huge, clean bright pearl set on the grassland. It is the most important fresh water resource of Mongolia, lying on the border with Russia, with 96 rivers converged into the lake.
 

On the first floor, you can see some stone tools and rock paintings from the primitive period, while the second floor is divided into several parts which contain agricultural, weaving, and daily articles of the country and some historical sites of Tujue Tribe. See more about National Museum of Mongolia
 

Gobi Desert literally means an arid area and a kind of wilderness. With its most surface covered with rocks instead of sands, Gobi is one of the largest desert and semi-desert area, which used to be the most important part of Mongol Empire. This desert occupies a large area, reaching Altai Mountain in the north, Hexi Corridor and Tibetan Plateau in the southwest, and North China Plain in the southeast. Several cities along the Silk Road are located on the Gobi Desert.

See more about 7 Tips for Traveling to Deserts in Mongolia
 

Gandan Monastery, a Tibetan-style Buddhist monastery whose full name is Gandantegchinlen Monastery, was first built in 1835. Gandantegchinlen means "a place full of joy". It is the biggest monastery in this country with 150 monks in residence and an 86.9-feet-high (26.5-meter-high) statue of MigjidJanraisig. Affected by Stalin, Khorloogiin Choibalsan had destroyed almost all the monasteries in the 1930s. Gandan Monstery is one of the survivals. The statue had been destroyed by Russian army in 1938. At the end of Soviet era, the local people raised money to rebuild this statue with 2,286 jewels and gild it. It is considered to be a national treasure.

Gandan Monastery

Genghis Khan Square

 Orhkon Valley is a place that visitors should not miss. It's a UNESCO site owning vast grassland and faraway mountain ranges with lots of horses, goats and cattle for company. Orkhon River is the longest river in this country, rich of fish, such as pike, carp, taimen and catfish. The length of catfish is almost more than 1 meter (3.3 feet). Along the river exist two historical remains: Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire and Kharbalgas, the ancient capital of the Uyghur Kingdom.

See more about Yolyn Am Canyon     Hustai National Park     Altai Tavan Bogd National Park

 Genghis Khan Square used to be called Sukhbaatar Square before July, 2013. It is located at the center of Ulaanbaatar with the National Palace and Chinggis Khan's statue in the north. The statue of Sukhbaatar, the great leader of Mongolian nationalism, is on the square center.

 See also:

Mongolia Tourist Attractions

Experience a Mongolia Horse Riding

Places & Tips for Trekking in Mongolia

Mongolia Road Trip - Routes, Highlights & Tips

Top 3 Beautiful Mountains in Mongolia

Explore Mongolia Landscape from Deserts to Permanent Glaciers

Top 7 Things to Do in Mongolia in the Winter

Camping in Mongolia - Places & Things to Remember

 

Dairy products and meat products are the most common food in Ulaanbaatar. Mutton plays a really important role in daily dishes. Mongolian barbecue and roast whole lamb are the traditional food. Mongolians usually eat meat with hands, sometimes with knife and fork.

Kumiss is a kind of alcoholic drinks that the local people really love. Normally, it is made in summer. Kumiss is a little bit sour combined with milk flavor, good for skin and eyesight.
 

Mongolian Milk Tea is suitable for all ages. Salt is added to the tea, making it different from other milk teas.
 

Other typical foods include Khorkhog, Boodog, etc.

 See more about Best Mongolia Foods     Mongolian Cuisine     Top 4 Mongolian Street Food    

Mongolian Desserts     Mongolian Hotpot