Tips & Tricks
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 … Continue reading Horseback Riding Expeditions
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, … Continue reading Lake Khövsgöl
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 … Continue reading Manzushir Monastery
Ongi River and Temple (Saikhan-Ovoo district, Dundgovi Province) – located 7 hours (415 km) southwest of the capital, the Ongi Monastery refers to two monasteries on opposite banks of the Ongi River, which stretches for over four hundred kilometers throughout the country. The monasteries are home to many ruined temples, one of which was once … Continue reading Ongi River and Temple
Mother Tree (Sükhbaatar, Selenge province) — a shrine to worshipers of the Shaman religion, The Mother Tree, or Eej Mod, is located in northern Mongolia. Once an actual tree that was struck by lightning until a fire in 2015 burned it nearly to the ground, the shrine now consists of a ceremonial stump where the … Continue reading Mother Tree
Ulaanbaatar International Marathon (Central Square, Ulan Bator) – this Marathon, co-organized by Ulan Bator city governor’s office and the Physical Culture and Sports Authority is held every May in the Mongolian capital, with over 30,000 participants (ages 2-87 from 30 countries and regions). This athletic event has six categories, including half marathon (21.975 km), full … Continue reading Ulaanbaatar International Marathon