Visiting Mongolia Travel Guide: What to Know About Culture, Weather & Travel Tips

A Land of Nomads, Mountains, and Deserts, Wildlife and Nature

Mongolia, known for its vast steppes, nomadic culture, and breathtaking landscapes, is one of the world’s most fascinating destinations. If you are interested in Chinggis Khan, wild beauty, or the vibrant capital Ulaanbaatar, this Mongolia travel guide covers everything you need to know before you visit. If you think about yurt tent, nomadic life, and animals, YES - you are close, but there is much more to talk about Mongolia and visiting Mongolia.

Mongolia's History and Influences

The most famous person is definitely Chinggis Khan, the first emperor of the Mongol Empire. You can spot his statues or stickers on cars everywhere in the country, he is also displayed in local energy drinks, beer, and many other products. It is not a surprise, as he was possibly one of the most famous conquerors in human history, and the Mongolian people are very proud of him.

After the Great Mongolian Empire, Mongolia was taken by China, and a few hundred years later, it almost became part of the Soviet Union - there are still a lot of cultural and architectural, and industrial signs of this.

Today, Mongolia is more economically and culturally tied to South Korea.

Ulaanbaatar: A City of Extremes

The capital city, Ulaanbaatar, is the place where almost 50% of Mongolia's population lives. As the population doubled in the last 20 years, the crazy traffic jams, where 5 kilometres can take 2 hours of your life, are happening every day.

In the winter, Ulaanbaatar is one of the most polluted capitals in the world thanks to the coal heating, and also the coldest capital on earth, with average winter temperatures of -25 °C.

Ulaanbaatar is the city of contrasts, with poor families living in yurt parts of the town and rich people driving Rolls-Royce or Maybach around. The city is heavily industrial and offers a lot of interesting Soviet architecture to check out.

Geopolitically, the city of Ulaanbaatar has a strategic position between Russia and China, with the Trans-Mongolian Railway as part of the Trans-Siberian Railway, going from Moscow to Beijing.

Out of the capital

If you get out of the city, the endless steppe full of animals and shepherds is almost everywhere you look. The life of most Mongolians hasn’t changed a lot over the centuries. People still live in yurts (tents) or small houses, taking care of their animals. It is very hard to grow anything because of the extremely harsh winters. The growing season has just about 100 days.

With its size, Mongolia is a very diverse country with the Altai Mountains covering the west, the Gobi Desert to the south, and the Taiga in the northern part of the country. The most important animals in Mongolia are horses, camels, cows, yaks, sheep, and more. Livestock is very important for the country is there are not a lot of species to grow in the cold and inhospitable weather. Wild eagles, wolves, marmots, and other animals also live here.

Top Places to Visit in Mongolia

There is something for all kinds of visitors. Here are some of our favourites for things to do in Mongolia But don´t forget, it will be interesting even without a plan, so take a car, bus, or train and go :)

Khövsgöl Lake and surrounding areas

The biggest lake of Mongolia, close to the Russian border, is a 10-hour drive from the capital. This place is interesting during all seasons. We recommend visiting the Tsataan reindeer people - an indigenous group living a traditional life. The lake is the largest freshwater lake in Mongolia, 262 meters deep.

Kharkhorin and the surrounding areas

Kharkhorin used to be the first capital city of the Mongolian Empire. Nowadays, it is a small town with its own vibe, 6 hours’ drive from the capital. Check out the Monument for Mongol States with a beautiful valley behind the city, the famous Orkhon Valley (World Heritage Site) with Orkhon Waterfall and wildlife, or Lake Ogii north of the city.

Mining towns of Erdenet and Darkhan

We think these mining towns have to be in the Mongolia travel guide also, as the mining extraction business is the biggest industry in the country. If you are into Soviet architecture and heritage, we recommend visiting these two places for sure. You can find plenty of mosaics and interesting architectural pieces, and see how locals live in the Soviet planned towns, being the industrial heart of the country.

How to travel through the country

There are a few options for travelling in Mongolia.

You can hitchhike (it is very safe, and people will stop immediately).

Rent a car yourself or with a driver.

Take the train between some places, or take a bus ride that is pretty convenient (trains and bus just can only take you to the bigger cities, for going deeper, you need a car).

When to Visit Mongolia

Mongolian weather can be extreme, as Mongolia is the 3rd coldest country in the world. A strong winter goes from November to March, but snow and cold weather can happen almost anytime. Most people travel to Mongolia from June to September, but May is the perfect time for those who can handle a bit colder weather, and without any tourists. Even the prices are more affordable. Anyway, Mongolia is always beautiful with something different, and each season has its magic. We hope you will enjoy beautiful Mongolia 100%.

Happy to answer any of your questions :)

by Hendriks Toth

understan founder, Central Asia researcher, and traveler

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