Tips & Tricks
Manzushir Monastery — the imposing ruins of Manzushir Monastery lie just an hour’s drive south of the capital. Built in the 18th century by Buddhist monks, the monastery was destroyed in 1937 by communists, and today the ruins of this large stone temple stand within a forest of birch trees like a scene from a […]
Lake Khövsgöl — near the Mongolian border with Russia at the base of the Sayan Mountains is Khuvsgul Lake, a 136 kilometer long lake that contains approximately 70% of the fresh water in Mongolia. It is the second largest lake in Asia by volume, and it is the titular feature of Khuvsgul Lake National Park, […]
Khalkhiin Gol Battle anniversary – from May to September 1939, Japanese forces based in Manchukuo (a Chinese mainland puppet state controlled by Tokyo) attempted to invade Mongolia (and eventually Russian Siberia) through the river Khalkhiin Gol (which divides Mongolia and Manchukuo). However, a joint Soviet-Mongolian force repelled Japan’s repeated attempts to invade these territories, resulting […]
Horseback Riding Expeditions – since Mongolia is still horse country (supported by its long-standing nomadic way of life), some visitors will likely want a horseback riding experience. Tour outfit Stone Horse Expeditions & Travel offers visitors the opportunity to explore various parts of Mongolia on horseback. Such excursions take place at the Khentii Mountains, and […]
Khogno Khan Natural Reserve – located six hours west of the capital (est. 400 km), this natural reserve is named for the mountain Khogno Khan, a sacred mountain of granite, that lies within the bounds of this 181 square mile park. The sight of the rocky mountain protruding from the desert grasslands at its base […]
Khustain-Nuruu National Park – this park is about 60 miles west of the capital, and it is home to the takhi, an endangered subspecies of wild horse. These stout, sandy colored horses are the only truly wild horses left in existence, and they were once extinct in the wild, their numbers diminished down to an […]