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Mongolia

Experiential journeys will make you a storyteller
About Mongolia

Despite the growing population in relation to international travel, Mongolia is one of the best places to travel. Mongolia is delineated to be a fascinating destination and is way too appealing to travelers who are in random search of nomadic or primordial culture. Hence, the tourist places in Mongolia are considered to be one of the most sought-after. Mongolia, the rugged landscape is the perfect tourist destination for the travelers seeking a glimpse into distinct cultures. A diverse land, Mongolia has various beautiful places which must be explored by the tourists. From the capital Ulaanbaatar to splendid sweeping wonders, Mongolia comes across to be one of the best tourist spots.

A nation bordered by Russia and China, Mongolia is popular for vast, dense and rugged expanses fostering nomadic culture and tradition. The capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, surfaces round Chenghis Khan, a notorious founder of the Mongol Empire between thirteenth to fourteenth centuries. Mongolia, a landlocked country is situated between China and Russia. Exclusively known for holding on its immense rich culture and traditions, Mongolia also samples for the contemporary way out. Even in the 21st century, the Mongolian nomads continue to abide by their old traditions and practices.

Exploring Mongolia would be catering the travelers with a spectacular unique experience since the place has a remarkable history and captivating scenic beauty affixed. Also, known as the “Land of Blue Skies”, Mongolia is endowed with the title because it shares various advantages for the travelers. During the winter season, Mongolian weather is bitterly chilly dropping down to minus thirty degree Celsius in most of the parts of the country. During the summer season, the weather is good and generally dry. This place calls to be the relaxing destination because the place offers the best tourist places in Mongolia, offering you to go to remote areas of various unique traditions and cultures. Therefore, Mongolia is a must visit destination spot during both seasons summer and winter.

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Mongolia FAQ's

When is the best time to visit Mongolia?

Mongolia generally receives extreme continental climate all year round. With more than two hundred and sixty sunny days in a year, Mongolia experiences three types of climate when the travelers can visit the location with ease and utter comfort:

  • Spring: During the springtime, Mongolia witnesses’ unpredictable weather that creates snowstorms that are generally intermixed with spells of sunshine and light blowing wind. Besides the northern border of Khentii and Khovsgol, the Taiga region of Mongolia receives maximum rainfall. Sunshine is generally intense and humidity is near to zero.
  • Summer: The perfect time to travel Mongolia is in the middle of May. During early May, the region has the chances of receiving snowfall, especially in the North region. The June weather is generally good and dry throughout the central and southern area. The northern location and the mountains are cold. During July, the visitors can also view Naadam Festival. Summer is considered as a peak season for tourist attractions.
  • Winter: During the month of winter in between November to February. Zud or a harsh weather condition accompanied with snowstorms and the cold wind is experienced during this month zone. Later, when the weather normalizes and becomes stables, the tourist attends Ice Festival, Camel Festival and Tsagaan Sar.

How to reach Mongolia?

You can travel to Mongolia by Air:

  • By Air

Mongolia, a landlocked region can be reached either by air or land. Genghis Khan International Airport (ULN) is one of those major international airports that is situated fifteen kilometers in the southwest direction of the capital, Ulaanbaatar. There are no direct flights to Mongolia. The below connection flights are available from India through:

  • Hong Kong – Ulaanbaatar by MIAT Mongolian Airlines
  • Seoul – Ulaanbaatar by the Korean Airlines
  • Beijing – Ulaanbaatar by Air China

Do I need a visa for Mongolia? How does one get a Mongolian visa?

The holder of Indian passport is required to apply for the Mongolian visa to the Mongolian embassy in New Delhi.

There are basic requirements to avail Mongolian visa:

  • Must have a passport which should be valid for six months beginning from the day of travel to Mongolia.
  • Must have visa application form.
  • One passport sized photograph.
  • A letter of amiable invitation from the host company residing in Mongolia.
  • Moreover, the visa fee depends upon the type of visa that you have been enrolled to.

What is the currency of Mongolia and where can I get my money exchanged?

The currency of Mongolia is Mongolian Tugrik. The big banks in the country practically offer all services that one can expect including exchanging of money. There are many exchange shops located in Mongolia.

Which are the major tourist attractions in Mongolia?

Mongolia calls to be a perfect tourist destination for travelers who seek to blend or take a glimpse of the distinct nomadic and traditional culture. Must visit destination spots in Mongolia are as follows:

  • Gobi Desert
  • Khuvsgul Lake
  • Terelj National Park
  • Altai 5 bogd
  • Karakorum-Erdenezuu
  • Orkhon valley
  • Khustai National Park
  • Ulaanbaatar city
  • Khorgo Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park
  • Tsagaan suwarga

What are the things to do in Mongolia?

Mongolia is an awesome place to travel because of its fantastic landscapes and other worldliness. In Ulaanbaatar, you will find the capital stand in poised edge aligned between East and West direction. Here, tourism is still at an infancy stage in the country. Moreover, traveling to Mongolia is both challenging and exciting job. Most of the travel companies in Ulaanbaatar still face trouble with the web. But even after this shortcoming, the travelers don’t seem to deter from taking the trip set for a lifetime.

Following are the things you can do in Ulaanbaatar.

  • Sights & landmarks viewing
  • Visiting nature and parks
  • Overview of Museums
  • Travel tours or hiking
  • Shopping
  • Viewing concerts and shows
  • Relishing the water and amusement parks
  • Viewing the nightlife
  • Spas and entire body wellness

What is the local food of Mongolia? Which are the best places to taste this food?

Generally, the food in Mongolia is influenced by extreme continental climate due to which the diet of the nomads primarily comprise of meat, dairy products and fat of animals. Spices along with vegetables are served but generally are in limits. Due to the rich retrospective history merged with China and Russia, the cuisine portrays an influential mix of both cultures.

Following are the must-try cuisines of Mongolia:

  • Aaruul – Mongolian dried cheese biscuits. It is another dish which is thoroughly relished by the tourists.
  • Airag – Fermented mares’ milk.
  • Horhog – Sheep meat cut and baked.
  • Boodog – Mongolian barbeque version
  • Buuz - Mongolian mutton dumplings. Buuz is a national dish of Mongolia which is often found on the roadhouses of Mongolia.
  • Boortsog – Deep fried sweet donuts.
  • Bantan – Mongolian creamy textured soup.
  • Suutei Tsai – Mongolian traditional milk tea.

You must taste the Mongolian food from the following restaurants:

  • Monet Fine Dining
  • Hutong Restaurant
  • Soup Bar Restaurant
  • Luna Blanca
  • The Loving Hut
  • Cafe Austria
  • Yu-Long Chinese Restaurant

What is the best public transport to commute around Mongolia?

Few tourist prefers to travel Mongolia with an organized tour. Few of them share the expense incurred on hiring a jeep and few use general public transport to commute around Mongolia. The people who adapt to the Mongolian traveling ways generally find it rewarding because Mongolia delineates the cheapest way to travel to different places.

Travelling to the countryside:

The tourists take buses that go from Ulaanbaatar to all the provinces of Aimag centers. From the province of Aimag, the travelers wait for the van to be filled by others who are going to a sum center or district. If you wish to go to a tourist attraction spot that is not on the public route of transport, then the traveler will have to book a jeep or van to take him to a specific area.

Other public transport includes:

  • Buses
  • Minibuses
  • Vans
  • Cars

Do I need to have any vaccinations before the trip to Mongolia?

The travelers must be up to date with the vaccination routine while they travel to Mongolia.

  • Routine Vaccine: The tourist must make sure to become up to date with vaccines before going on to a trip. The routine vaccines include (MMR) measles- mumps- rubella vaccine, varicella vaccine and yearly flu shot.
  • Hepatitis Vaccination: The vaccination of hepatitis is recommended to the travelers as there are chances of guzzling food and water that are contaminated.
  • Typhoid: The traveler can also get typhoid through contaminated water and food in Mongolia. CDC recommends the typhoid vaccine to most of the travelers if they are visiting smaller or nomadic areas of Mongolia.
  • Rabies: In Mongolia, rabies can be found in bats, dogs and other mammals in Mongolia. Therefore, CDC recommends the traveler to take the vaccine for the following listed groups:

- Travellers who are indulged in outdoor activities like camping, hiking, biking, adventure, traveling and caving. These activities can put them at risk for animal bites.

- The professional tourist who have visited Mongolia to work with or around various animals.

- Children must be vaccinated against rabies because they tend to play outdoors and on getting an animal bite, they fail to report.

What is the local language in Mongolia and which are the most commonly used greetings? (Mention at least 4) (Hello, Thank you, Good morning/night, What is the price of ____?, How far is _____?)

The official language of Mongolia is Khalkha Mongolia which is spoken by 90% of the Mongolian population. It is also considered one of the official languages which are spoken in the People’s Republic of China or Inner Mongolia and has six million speakers all over the globe. Mongolian is a language spoken by most residents of Mongolia. The language has similarities with other Mongolian languages like the Bonan, Santa and Mongour which is spoken in Qinghai and Gansu, Khamnigan and Dagur are spoken in Greater Mongolia and Shira Yugur. The modified Cyrillic alphabets are used in the Mongolian language. English and Russia are the most foreign and popular Mongolian language.

Greetings in the Mongolian language are as follows:

  • Hi - Sain baina uu?
  • Morning - Ogloon mend.
  • Afternoon – Odriin mend.
  • Evening- Oroin mend

Which are the best shopping places in Mongolia and what are they famous for?

Following are the shopping places in Mongolia for gift and specialty:

  • Mary & Martha Mongolia
  • The State Department Store
  • Gobi cashmere factory outlet, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
  • Naran Tuul Market
  • Sky Shopping Center

Following are the shops for art galleries:

  • Mongolian National Modern Art Gallery
  • 976 Art Gallery
  • Altan Khaan Gallery
  • ART Mongolia
  • Ongi art gallery

Following are the shopping malls:

  • Hunnu Mall
  • UB Mart Shopping Center

What is the famous destination for hiking in Mongolia?

Following are the famous destination for hiking in Mongolia:

  • Horseback Mongolia
  • Goyo Travel
  • Travel Mongolia
  • Stone Horse Expeditions & Travel - Day Tours
  • Sunpath Mongolia - Day Tour
  • Travel Buddies
  • Zavkhan Trekking - Day Trips
  • Kazakh Tour
  • Mongolia Expeditions
  • Vast Mongolia Travel

What are best places to experience nomadic culture in Mongolia?

Mongolia is the least densely populated destination with numerous tradition, culture and beautiful sites to view. For the sake of providing a stepping stone, we have come up with ten must visit sites of Mongolia:

  • Ulaanbaatar
  • The Orkhon Valley
  • Bayanzag (The Flaming Cliffs)
  • Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa)
  • Uvur Hoshoot
  • Lake Hovsgol
  • Altai Tavan Bogd
  • Khorgo Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park
  • Gorkhi-Terelj National Park
  • Hustain Nuruu National Park

What are the famous monasteries in Mongolia?

Following are the famous monasteries in Mongolia:

  • Gandantegchinlen Monastery
  • Erdenezuu monastery
  • Tovkhon Mon
  • Manzushir monastery
  • Khamriin khiid monastery
  • Ongi Monastery
  • Baldan Bereeven monastery
  • Budar Stone
  • Aglag Buteel monastery
  • Amarbayasgalant monastery
  • Khukh Burd temple
  • Ovgon temple
  • Shankh monastery

Where is the Gobi Desert located in Mongolia? And how can I reach there?

The largest in Asia and fourth largest in the globe, Gobi Desert stretches into the contemporary China and Mongolia expanding it harsh and densely located terrain over five lakh square miles. The Gobi Desert lies in the heart of Asia’s remotest area, in between Siberia which is in the north and the Tibetan Plateau which is in the south, exquisitely covering the southern platform of Mongolia. You can reach Gobi desert through specialized travel agencies. Booking through travel agency might cost a little but you can rest in peace that your tour to Gobi desert will be secure.

Is eagle hunting famous in Mongolia? Where can I experience it?

Mongolia is popular for the annual Golden Eagle Festival where the fanciers of eagle and trainers gather from far to show their Golden eagles and hunting skills. This event is generally held in the early October in the Bayan Olgii province situated in Mongolia.

Which are the best monasteries to visit in Mongolia?

Following are the best monasteries you must visit in Mongolia:

  • Erdene-Zuu, the oldest Monastery
  • Orkhon Waterfall and Shankh monastery
  • Tuvhun monastery complex
  • Khamar Monastery
  • Gandan Monastery

Here are the best tips Thrillophilia has to offer for your trip to Mongolia?

Thrillophilia solemnly believes that the travelers visiting Mongolia must not miss the opportunity to visit a nomadic family and explore their lively culture.

  • The travelers must meet genuine family and experience their incredible and beautiful traditional hospitality.
  • The travelers must remember to bring layers for the warm days or loose and light-weight cotton clothes.
  • If the travelers are visiting Mongolia during cold days, then they must carry thermal layers, fleece tops, and windproof jackets.

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