Sights of Mongolia: what is interesting for a tourist to see, description, photo | The Guide Club

Mongolia is a large country, it occupies the 18th place among all the countries of the world in terms of area. Many attractions are located at a considerable distance from each other, and it is impossible to see everything in one trip. In this article, we will tell you about the main attractions of Mongolia with photos, names and descriptions so that you can choose the most interesting. Reveal the content

Although Mongolia cannot be ranked among the most popular tourist destinations, a trip to this country will be interesting and memorable. The organizers offer different types of tours: ecological, active, sightseeing. Mongolia was once the heart of a vast empire stretching from Korea to Poland. Many historical monuments have been preserved here from earlier times, and part of the population still lives in accordance with the ancient traditions of the nomads. The top attractions of Mongolia also include national parks with unique natural sites.

Ulaanbaatar and its surroundings

Many sights of the Republic of Mongolia can be found in its capital, Ulaanbaatar. It is a large metropolis that has gathered more than 40% of the country’s population. High-rise buildings made of glass and concrete give the city a modern look. But skyscrapers are adjacent to Soviet buildings and Buddhist temples, creating a bizarre mix. Ulaanbaatar has notable museums, parks and restaurants serving Mongolian cuisine. Let’s tell you in more detail which objects cannot be skipped.

Gandantagchenlin Buddhist Monastery

The largest functioning monastery in the country was founded in 1835 on the site where Ulaanbaatar began to be rebuilt two centuries earlier. At its peak in the 19th century, this largest cultural and religious center was home to many thousands of monks. Now there are 150 residents left here. Gandantegchenlin turned out to be the only Mongolian monastery that continued to work even during the period of religious persecution in the 20th century.

Tourists can see numerous ancient relics in the monastery. There is a museum of the history of Buddhism here. The main shrine of Gandantagchenlin is a Buddha statue covered with gold and encrusted with precious stones. Its height is 26 meters, so it is one of the greatest statues in the world. Various ceremonies and religious ceremonies are regularly held in the monastery, which can be observed.

Bogd Khan Uul National Park

The area 50 km south of Ulaanbaatar is so beautiful that it began to be protected many centuries ago. Already in the XIII century, local rulers forbade hunting, fishing and cutting trees on the Bogd Khan Uul mountain, which was considered sacred. In 1783, the territory was declared a protected site, and now it claims to be the oldest national park in the world. In 1996, it was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The vast territory of the park with a height difference from 1300 to 2270 meters contains a variety of landscapes — meadows, rivers, alpine tundra. The northern slopes of the mountain are characterized by coniferous and mixed forests, while the southern slopes are characterized by bare rocks. Such different conditions provide a rare variety of animals and plants for Mongolia. Researchers observe snow leopards, wild boars, mountain goats, sables, polar hares and other animals here. In spring and autumn, many migratory birds gather in the reserve.

On the territory of the national park, you can see rock paintings that depict animals and birds living in these places. Ancient drawings show that the slopes of Bogd Khan Uul, full of life, attracted people thousands of years ago.

Bogd Khan Palace Museum

There are also architectural attractions on the territory of the national park. The most interesting is the Bogd Khan Palace, a complex of buildings in the traditional Chinese style, built at the turn of the XIX and XX centuries for the last emperor of Mongolia. The interior of the palace is perfectly preserved. Now it has a museum dedicated to the history and culture of the country. There you can see Buddhist works of art, sacred writings, sculptures, clothes and jewelry of the emperor — about 8,600 exhibits in total.

Bogd Khan’s Winter Palace is one of the most famous sights of Mongolia. More than 40,000 visitors come here every year. Sometimes the museum complex is used for filming historical and documentary films.

Statue of Genghis Khan

Of all the attractions that exist in Mongolia, it is the statue of Genghis Khan that can be called the country’s calling card. The monument is located 50 km east of Ulaanbaatar – at the place where Genghis Khan was supposedly born. It is believed to be the largest or one of the largest equestrian statues in the world. Its height is 40 m, excluding the 10-meter pedestal, and its weight is 250 tons. The central statue is surrounded by 36 columns, which symbolize the khans of the Mongol Empire.

The statue is made of stainless steel and decorated with gold. It depicts Genghis Khan on horseback, with his right hand raised, as if he was directing troops into battle. The impressive monument was erected in 2008 in honor of the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Mongolian Empire.

The interior space of the statue is used: there is a museum in a two-story pedestal. Its exhibits introduce visitors to the life and legacy of Genghis Khan, as well as to the history and culture of Mongolia in general. Next to the museum there is an art gallery, a gift shop and a restaurant serving Mongolian cuisine. You can take the elevator higher: there is an observation deck at the top of the horse’s head, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area. The theme park around the statue tells about the traditions and peculiarities of everyday life in Mongolia.

Gorkhi Terelj National Park

When choosing what interesting things to see in Mongolia, do not miss the Gorkhi Terelj National Park. It is located just 70 km from Ulaanbaatar and covers an area of almost 3,000 km2. This is one of the most visited tourist spots in the country, as the park is famous for its rare natural beauty. It is named after two rivers, Gorkhi and Terelj, which flow through its territory.

Going to Gorkhi Terelj, you will see vast steppe valleys, densely forested mountain slopes, waterfalls and rocks of unusual shape. Wildlife lovers can meet a variety of animals here: wild sheep, mountain goats, wolves, foxes, marmots and lizards. There are about 50 species of animals and 250 species of birds in total. It is a great place for hiking, trekking and horse riding.

Many tourist routes in Gorkhi Terelj pass through Turtle Cliff, a huge rock formation resembling a turtle. Travelers can climb to the top of the cliff to admire the view of the surrounding area. There are other attractions and entertainment:

• Aryaabalyn-hiid Temple and Meditation Center;
• glacial lake Hagin-Khar with a depth of 20 m;
• dinosaur sculpture park with stone figures;
• getting to know the traditional nomad families living in tents;
• skiing, snowboarding and ice fishing in the winter months.

The southern part of the national park has a well-developed tourist infrastructure. You can stay in a hotel with a spa complex or choose an inexpensive recreation center. To the north, human influence is practically not manifested, this is the kingdom of wild nature.

Sainshand

This small town is located in the east of Mongolia, 450 km from Ulaanbaatar. Most often people come here to visit the famous Gobi Desert, in the middle of which Sainshand was built. The most convenient way to see the unusual beauty of arid landscapes is a jeep tour. You can also walk or ride up to the mountains of the Gobi Altai, from where you can enjoy magnificent views.

There is not much interesting in the Sainshand itself. It looks like an ordinary town in the Russian countryside, only there is a lot of sand on the streets. But there is one attraction that attracts tourists. This is the Buddhist monastery of Khamaryn-hiid, founded a little more than 200 years ago. In its heyday, it had more than 80 temples. Thousands of monks permanently resided on the territory of the monastery, who practiced multi-day meditations in nearby caves. In the 1930s, all the buildings were destroyed, and the lamas were expelled or executed. After 1990, the monastery began to be restored, and work continues to this day. But already beautiful oriental-style structures have been built here, which stand out against the background of sandy dunes overgrown with rare grass.

Amarbayasgalant Monastery

This Buddhist monastery with an unpronounceable name is located in the north of Mongolia, on the Selenga River, 360 km from Ulaanbaatar. In translation, the name of Amarbayasgalant sounds clearer: “A haven of serene joy.” The monastery is one of the three largest in Mongolia. There are 28 symmetrically arranged temples on the territory of the complex, made in the same Chinese style with elements of Tibetan architecture. The red-brown color of these structures is set off by the emerald hills that spread around.

The Amarbayasgalant Monastery was founded in 1727 and has been under construction for more than a century. At one time, 6,000 monks lived there permanently. In the 1930s, it was partially destroyed, but only outbuildings were damaged. The main buildings and many valuable relics have survived. Although the monastery stood abandoned for about 50 years, it was able to revive. Now it has about 60 monks who devote themselves to spiritual improvement. Tourists who come to the monastery can spend the night nearby in a well-maintained yurt camping.

Altai-Tavan-Bogd National Park

If you are interested in what you can see in Mongolia for a tourist who does not have much time, choose Altai-Tavan-Bogd National Park. It is located on the very border of Russia and Mongolia, so it does not take as long to get to it as to the Gobi Desert and other remote places. The natural border of our countries is the ridges of the Mongolian Altai, and the five highest peaks of Mongolia are concentrated here.

The highest point in Mongolia is Kuyten-Uul Peak. Nearby is the Potanin Glacier, which, along with other glaciers, feeds the lakes and rivers of the national park. Three large lakes are of the greatest interest:

• Haughton-Nuur. The lake is not very deep, rich in fish, with a wooded western shore and a steppe eastern shore. In the middle of the 50-kilometer water surface there is a small island, also covered with forest.
• Khurgan-Nuur. This lake is larger and deeper than Haughton, its area exceeds 70 km2. The Khovd River, one of the largest in Mongolia, originates from here. There are also a lot of fish in Khurgan, including the famous Mongolian grayling.
• Dayan-Nuur. An extraordinarily picturesque lake, closely adjacent to the glacier-covered mountains. The depth of Dayan is only 4 m, and the area is about 67 km2. There are two other smaller lakes nearby and several small karst lakes.

In addition to rivers, lakes and glaciers, Altai-Tavan-Bogd has waterfalls and UNESCO-protected petroglyphs. Many rare animals live here: snow leopards, Altai argali, red deer, stone martens and others, as well as golden eagles and 200 more species of birds. Since the national park is located in the mountains, the climate here is harsh, but tourists who find themselves in Mongolia in summer will find something to see. Wonderful photos will remain as a souvenir of the trip.

Tsagan-Shibetu Mountain Range

The name of this ridge means “White Fence”. It stretches for 130 km along southwestern Tuva in Russia and northwestern Mongolia. The highest peak on the Mongolian territory, Mount Tsagaan Shuvuut, rises almost 3,500 m above sea level. This part of the Altai Mountains is known for its beautiful landscapes and diverse wildlife. If you like active recreation and choose what to see for tourists in Mongolia in spring or summer, you can stop at one of the routes in the Tsagan-Shibetu area.

Lake Uureg-Nuur

There is a basin with a large lake near the southern slopes of the Tsagan-Shibetu ridge. There is no runoff from it, evaporation is high, and water losses are replenished only by a few unstable rivers and rare rains. For this reason, the water in the lake is salty, but very clean and transparent. The places in the vicinity are arid, so numerous animals and birds flock to the lake. Deer and antelopes, lynxes and wolves, martens and foxes, rabbits and squirrels are found here, and swans, geese, ducks and pelicans are among the birds.

Ancient burial mounds and rock carvings have been preserved near the lake. There is also an opportunity to get acquainted with the way of life of the nomads living here. This is a great place for different types of outdoor activities.

Hovd River

The Khovd River stretches for 516 km in the western part of Mongolia. For many centuries, it was an important trade route connecting Mongolia with China and Russia. Even earlier, the river attracted people because it is rich in fish. Taimen, grayling and many other species are found here. Archaeological finds indicate that people have inhabited the Hovda Valley since at least the Bronze Age. Several ancient petroglyphs and rock carvings of that era have survived to this day.

Modern tourists, in addition to fishing, Hovd attracts with its extraordinary beauty. The riverbed runs through deep valleys, gorges and canyons. Mountains, taiga, unique tugai forests and bushy steppes are visible all around. It is most convenient to admire these landscapes during rafting. The Hovda has a calm current, and there are no thresholds in the upper and middle reaches. Therefore, rafting accompanied by an instructor is safe and accessible even to beginners.

Durgen-Nuur Lake

A Basin of Large Lakes is located near the Altai Ranges in western Mongolia. Its name speaks for itself: there are many fresh and salt lakes in this area. Many of them have become important destinations for tourism and attractions in Mongolia. One of them is the 300 km2 salt lake Durgen—Nuur, which has no runoff. It is interesting because it is located on the edge of the desert, and its shores are surrounded by sand dunes. It is a good place for hiking and horseback riding, as well as for jeep tours. There is a campground on the shore.

Tolbo Lake

What else to see in the west of the Republic of Mongolia? In these places there is a glacial lake Tolbo-Nuur, which is called the most photogenic in the country. You definitely won’t regret it if you decide to visit him! This is a fairly popular tourist destination where you can see a lot of vacationers in summer.

The shores of the lake are flat and treeless, the purest water in the summer months becomes warm enough for swimming, and even there are almost no mosquitoes. There is a mountain range nearby, so the views are magnificent. Many entertainment options are available to tourists at Tolbo-Nuur:

• Hiking trips of different duration;
• Horseback riding among the picturesque scenery;
• Wildlife and bird watching;
• Calm fishing and cooking of freshly caught fish;
• Observation of the traditional life of the nomads.

Lake Achit

There are many lakes in the western part of Mongolia, and Achit-Nuur is one of the largest. Its area is almost 300 km2. The depth is small at the same time: a maximum of 5 m, and an average of 2-2.5 m. The name of this natural landmark means “Beneficent Lake” in translation. Perhaps it was named so for its excellent fishing, or maybe for its beauty and clean mountain air. Particularly impressive landscapes can be seen on the northwestern shore of the lake, where it is surrounded by reddish sandstone cliffs. The blue surface of the water seems even brighter against their background.

The rivers flowing into Achit-Nuur form deltas overgrown with sedges. They are home to many birds, including rare and endemic species. These are the black stork, the long-tailed eagle and others. You can go to Lake Achit for wildlife watching, fishing, boating, hiking and photographing unique landscapes.

Holidays and festivals

Several festivals and festivals of interest to tourists are held in Mongolia throughout the year. They provide an opportunity to get acquainted not only with the modern or natural sights of Mongolia, but also with its culture, rooted in the depths of centuries. Here are some of the most popular events:

• The festival is at home. The largest and most famous festival, which is held annually in mid-July. It is dedicated to the three traditional sports of Mongolia — wrestling, horse racing and archery. The festival is a demonstration of the strength, skill and endurance of the participants, it is a memorable sight.
• Tsagan Sar. The Mongolian Lunar New Year is usually celebrated in February and marks the beginning of spring. A lot of delicious food is prepared for this holiday, and then they go to visit and give each other gifts. At the same time, an ice festival is held on Lake Hubsugul with traditional winter games and sports, including horse sledding and ice fishing.
• The Festival of Eagles. This festival is held in the western part of Mongolia, usually in October. He celebrates the traditional art of eagle hunting, when riders use trained birds to catch small game. In addition to horse hunting competitions, the festival includes various games and performances, as well as traditional Mongolian dishes.

We talked briefly about the main attractions of Mongolia, although there are many other interesting places in this country. Come here to combine a wonderful active holiday among untouched nature with a tour of cultural and historical monuments. A tour with a suitable program can be selected and ordered on the Guides Club website. Embark on a journey with an experienced organizer and enjoy new experiences!

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