Places to discover

Best places to visit in Mongolia

Mongolia is landlocked between China, Russia and Kazakhstan, so does not border the ocean at any point. However, it has a striking variety of landscapes on offer! From Ulan Bator (or Ulaanbaatar), the capital city that never sleeps, to the darkest depths of the Altai mountains, travellers who have crossed this country will tell you exactly what to see and do here.

Mongolia is, above all, the home of Gengis Khan, the national hero. Many travellers set off retracing his footsteps up to the immense 40m statue in Tsonjin Boldog. Travelling along the Trans-Mongolian railway is also an absolute must! It crosses the country from the north to the south, and goes all the way to Beijing in the south and up to Russia in the north. Finally, one of the must-see locations is, without a doubt, Ulaanbataar. It is chock-full of museums, typical boutiques, markets, and with almost 1 million inhabitants, it is home to almost 1/3 of the Mongolian population.

Mongolia is also a very religious country. Buddhism and shamanism live alongside one another and the country has a very peaceful atmosphere about it. Nomads and shepherds remind us that, long ago, we too used to live among nature. You will be pleasantly surprised at just how hospitable its people are.

Spending a week with nomads is an unforgettable experience - living among them and like them, you'll be taken back to humanity's roots!
Set off to meet the Dukha people, a community of reindeer herders in the Taiga. A moment to remember. Finally, if you like a more active holiday, cross the Altai and its mountains or set off on horseback around the area. The best way to disconnect! 
Ölgii is located in the extreme west of the country, next to the Russian and Chinese borders. It is a Kazakh land, with the Kazakh people making up a large majority of the region's population (90%).
Karakorum, capital of the Mongol Empire has lost a lot of its former glory. Today, all that remains is the Erdene Zuu monastery and two tortoise statues as reminders of its illustrious past.
Ulan Bator, the coldest capital city in the world, is far from the Mongolian ideal of vaste, green steppes. However, you should explore it, if only to understand the harsh realities facing its people.
Tsetserleg is the capital of the Arkhangai 'aimag'. At more than 1,600m high, this lush, verdant town , which sits in little valley, stands out from the rest.
Bulgan is the capital of the Bulgan 'aimag' and is situated to the northwest of Ulan Bator. It's more of a stopover along the road leading to Lake Khövsgöl than a tourist hotspot. 
Situated at more than 1,600m high, Khatgal is at the southern edge of Lake Khövsgöl, from where the River Egg flows. It's a favourite with Mongolian tourists, who come to cruise around the lake.
Khovd is the capital of the aïmag (region) that bears the same name and is situated to the east of the country. It has a population of 20,000 and stretches as far as the Altaï foothills.
Erdenet is the capital of the Orkhon province and the second most densely populated town in Mongolia.
The entrance to the Gobi desert is within easy reach. It is an easy-to-reach destination, whether you are coming from China or Ulaanbaatar, the capital.
Mörön is the relatively small, modest capital of Khövsgöl...although it does have its own airport.
Dalanzadgad is the capital of the Ömnögovi province, in the south of the Gobi Desert.
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