There’s a ton of amazing stuff to see in Mongolia. Don’t believe it? Check this out!
Mongolia is still a fairly underrated destination compared with many other modern countries packed with resorts and mass-tourism areas. And that’s exactly why we love it!
You already know we’re not really into spas and ultra-luxury suites. We prefer yurts, camels, and battered old vans. Not to mention Gobi sand in your underwear!
If you’ve also decided to go for an experience that’s different from the usual and enjoy this spectacular country, but you’re not sure what places to visit because nobody seems to talk about them, we’ve got you covered.
Here are the must-see things in Mongolia.
Genghis Khan, Ulaanbaatar’s dinosaurs, and the Gandtk... Gardn... Well, you know, that monastery
If you’re traveling to Mongolia, of course you can’t miss the capital, Ulaanbaatar. But why on earth would you choose the Italian-style pronunciation over the original one?
The city’s most famous place is without a doubt Genghis Khan Square, even though today it’s called Sükhbaatar Square. But we have to admit, we like the traditional name better. Also because right there in the square you’ll find a fantastic statue of good old Genghis himself.
And, believe it or not, right there you can also find a statue of a hugely important figure in Italian history—and not just Italian history.
Could it be Damiano from Måneskin? Giovanni Trapattoni? Or maybe Carlo Cracco?
No, it’s Marco Polo, the famous explorer who traveled all the way to China to the court of Kublai Khan and, after returning, wrote The Travels of Marco Polo.
Another absolute must-see in the capital is the dinosaur museum, one of the most important in the world. Now, to be totally honest, the museum is a bit smaller than you might imagine, but trust us, it’s worth it.
And then there’s the Buddhist monastery of Gandantegchinlen Khiid (a pat on the back for anyone who can pronounce it correctly on the first try, all in one breath). It’s a place of peace and spirituality where, between one mantra and the next, the monks live a life completely different from the one we know.
And it honestly brings a tear to our eye when we think about the chaos of our cities compared with the slow-paced life of this place.
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Mongolian nature: sand dunes, Rorschach rocks, and Pokémon
Have you ever wondered what the world would be like without the noise of cars, smog creeping up to your ears, and that cashier at the corner store who always gets your name wrong?
Well, Mongolia’s natural landscapes give you the answer... and spoiler: it’s awesome!
Let’s start with the Gobi Desert, which is not just sand, sand, and more sand.
Alright, we’ll be honest: yes, there’s a lot of sand—like, a whole lot of it—especially in the Khongoryn Els area, home to the highest dunes in Mongolia.
But the Gobi also has canyons surrounding glaciers that don’t melt all year round, the ones you can see at Yolyn Am. Permanent ice in a desert! Yolyn Am is also a refuge for several species of flora and fauna, including the pika, the rodent that inspired the world’s most famous Pokémon: Pikachu. Sorry Charizard, Bulbasaur, and the rest—you lose!
Then Mongolian nature also gives us the Orkhon Waterfall and the entire river valley, so wild and untouched that it has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
And what about the Ih Gazriin Chuluu reserve (please, no jokes)?
A rocky area with stunning formations located in central Mongolia, and one of the country’s most fascinating natural wonders. The rocks that define it have been shaped by erosion over thousands of years and feature strange, fantastic forms, some of which resemble human or animal figures, sparking the imagination of anyone who sees them.
A bit like a giant Rorschach test.
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“Sounds great, but when should I go to Mongolia?”
Mongolia is famous for its blue skies (we’re talking about as many as 250 clear days a year!), but like any other country, it has its top seasons—and the ones that can ruin your trip completely.
I’d recommend aiming for between June and August, when summer makes its grand entrance. It’s the perfect time, with pleasant temperatures and landscapes... well, get ready to be blown away.
If, on the other hand, you love the cold (and we mean really cold), winter could be your ideal season. But keep in mind that Mongolia doesn’t like doing things halfway: get ready for seriously freezing temperatures!
And now for the million-dollar question: who should you go to Mongolia with?
With us!
We’ve prepared a 12-day itinerary in the land of Genghis Khan, all for you and anyone else you can convince to join you on this experience for the few brave ones. And we’ll be there too, with our trained and experienced trip leaders and our Soviet vans.
Come on, let’s go!
