Explore Mongolia
When Mongolia is mentioned, it evokes the name of the Great Genghis Khan in most people. It evokes images of vast landscapes and mountains and nomadic tribes. In most cases such assumptions are true.
In the area between Russia and China is the landlocked country of Mongolia. Its vast terrain has the least densely populated independent country on Earth. Its majestic emptiness is its enduring appeal bringing the traveller to this land in close contact to nature and is nomadic populace.
For more than 250 days in a year Mongolia experiences sunny days. It’s nicknamed thus the ‘land of the blue skies’ where until this very day nomadic life is still a living tradition. The summers are hot and the winters are bitterly cold with the temperature dipping to minus 40degrees in some parts.
The official currency of Mongolia is the tugrik (as of June 2011, 1 USD = 1200 tugrik). Ulaanbaatar is the capital of Mongolia
Regions:
Central Mongolia:
Includes the capital Ulaanbaatar and Arkhanghai which is a popular tourist destination and the heart of the Mongol Empire that was central to Genghis Khan’s rule.
Eastern Mongolia:
Home to the cities of Baruun-Urt, Choibalsan and Ondorhaan.
Gobi Desert – Southern Mongolia:
Home to the cities of Altai, Bayanhongor, Choir, Dalanzadgad, Mandalgovi and Sainshand.
Northern Mongolia:
The cities of Bulgan, Darkhan, Erdenet, Hutag-Ondor, Moron, Orhon and Sunbaatar are located here.
Western Mongolia:
Home to the cities of Hovd, Olgii, Ulaangom and Uliastai.
Highlights:
Mongolia is a land of undisturbed nature and untouched culture. It’s the land of the mysterious Gobi desert, of tundra forests and endless steppes, the land of majestic mountain peaks and crystal clear lakes. It is the birthplace of a man who dared to conquer the world. It is the land of the mighty Mongols.
Ulaanbaatar:
The capital city is the hub for international and domestic travel as all flights land here. The city has museums, monasteries and palaces.
Museums in Ulaanbaatar:
Zanabazar Fine arts Museum, Natural History Museum that houses two complete skeletons of dinosaurs found in the Gobi Desert and Museum of National History which is famous for the military arms used by Genghis Khans warriors.
Karakorum City Ruins:
Karakorum was the ancient city of the Mongols under Genghis Khan. Located in Central Mongolia it attracts tourists from all over the world.
Erdene Zuu Khiid Monastery:
The oldest Buddhist temple in Mongolia. It survived the Stalin era. It has statues of Buddha as a child.
Gobi Desert:
This mighty desert covers 30 percent of Mongolia. Paleontologists have found some most magnificent fossils of dinosaurs in this region. Its home to the Bactrian camels (Camels with two humps), wild horses, donkeys, leopards, ibexes and mountain sheep.
Flaming Cliffs:
In southern Mongolia, Bayanzag or flaming cliffs is the site where paleontologists found the first nest of dinosaur eggs in 1923. Roy Chapman Andrews famously known as the dinosaur hunter found the first fossilized nest of dinosaur eggs and ever since then the site has yielded to paleontologists from all over world for its rich and unique findings.
White Stupa (Tsangan Suvarga):
This amazing 30 meter high and 100 meter wide formation has been crafted by wind blowing on it for thousands of years. It’s breathtakingly beautiful. A sheer example of the Mother Nature sculpting expertise located in Southern Mongolia.
Khan Khentll Mountain National Park:
This is the native land of Genghis Khan. It’s declared as an UNESCO world heritage site. It contains important historical and cultural sites. The park is one of Mongolia’s natural and historical treasures. It’s located in Eastern Mongolia
Blue Lake (Khukh Lake) of Black Heart (Kar Zurkh):
At this place the young Temuukin was conferred the title of Genghis Khan the ruler of Mongolia. You can see his 15 meter wide ger which was his dwelling place.
Khuduu Aral:
Located in Eastern Mongolia is the palace site of Genghis Khan.
Gandan Khiid:
Also referred to as Gandantegchinlen, this Tibetan style monastery in the capital is home to over 150 monks. It has a 26.5m statue of Migjid Janraisig, a Buddhist bodhisattva.
Witness the Nadam Fair:
A gathering in the Gegentala Grassland between July and August, witness archery, horse racing and wrestling. This is a festival has been a tradition for over 700 years.
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