Discover Mongolia

Mongolia is the world's second-largest landlocked country, covering 1,564,116 km² — three times the size of France. It spans from the Altai and Khangai mountains in the west to the vast Eastern Steppe, and from the Siberian taiga in the north to the Gobi Desert in the south.

The country sits at an average elevation of 1,580 metres above sea level. Mongolia boasts extraordinary natural diversity: alpine peaks, volcanic craters, ancient forests, desert dunes, salt lakes, and river valleys — all within one country.

• Highest peak: Khüiten Peak (4,374 m, Bayan-Ölgii)
• Longest river: Orkhon River (1,124 km)
• Largest lake: Uvs Nuur (3,350 km²)
• Gobi Desert: One of Asia's largest deserts, covering ~1/3 of Mongolia

Mongolia's recorded history stretches back over 3,000 years. Ancient nomadic confederations — the Xiongnu, Xianbei, Rouran, and Göktürks — shaped Central Asia long before the rise of Genghis Khan.

In 1206 CE, Temüjin unified the Mongol clans and proclaimed the Great Mongol Empire — the largest contiguous land empire in history, stretching from the Pacific to Eastern Europe. Under Kublai Khan, the Yuan Dynasty ruled China; the Ilkhanate governed Persia; and the Golden Horde dominated Russia.

After the empire's fragmentation, Mongolia came under Qing Dynasty rule (1691–1911). On December 1, 1911, Mongolia declared independence, and on July 11, 1921, the People's Revolution established modern Mongolia. The country transitioned to democracy in 1990.

Nomadism is not merely a lifestyle in Mongolia — it is a profound worldview that has shaped the Mongolian identity for millennia. Approximately 30% of Mongolians today still live a semi-nomadic or fully nomadic lifestyle, moving with their herds across the seasons.

The Ger (Yurt)

The ger — a portable, cylindrical felt dwelling — represents the centre of nomadic life. It can be assembled in under an hour, oriented so its door faces south, and heated by a central iron stove. Today, over half of Ulaanbaatar's residents live in ger districts on the city's outskirts.

The Five Animals

Mongolian herders traditionally keep the "five snouts" (tavan khoshuu mal): horse, cattle/yak, camel, sheep, and goat. Horses are especially revered — Mongolians say "a Mongol without a horse is like a bird without wings."

Mongolia's population of approximately 3.4 million is ethnically diverse. The Khalkha Mongols constitute about 80% of the population, with other groups including Kazakhs, Dörbet, Bayad, Buriat, Uriankhai, and Oirat peoples, each with distinct dialects and traditions.

Language

The official language is Mongolian (Khalkh dialect), written in the Cyrillic script since the 1940s. The traditional vertical Mongolian script — one of the oldest writing systems in use — is now being revived in schools and official documents.

Religion

Tibetan Buddhism is the dominant religion, intertwined with ancient shamanistic traditions. Gandantegchinlen Monastery in Ulaanbaatar is one of the most important Buddhist centres in Asia. The western Kazakh community practices Islam.

Naadam Festival

Held every 11–13 July, Naadam celebrates the "Three Games of Men": wrestling (bökh), horse racing, and archery. It is both a national holiday and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Mongolian cuisine reflects the nomadic lifestyle — hearty, meat-centric, and nourishing for long days on the steppe. Dairy products play an equally important role.

Must-Try Dishes

• Buuz — steamed meat dumplings, the quintessential Mongolian dish served at Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year)
• Khorkhog — lamb or goat cooked with hot stones inside a sealed metal container; the taste is extraordinary
• Tsuivan — hand-made noodles stir-fried with meat and vegetables
• Boodog — whole marmot or goat cooked from the inside using hot stones
• Bansh — small boiled dumplings in soup

Dairy Products (Tsagaan Idee – "White Foods")

• Airag — fermented mare's milk, mildly alcoholic, the national drink
• Aaruul — dried curds, a high-protein snack for long journeys
• Öröm — thick clotted cream on freshly baked bread

Mongolia's vast unspoiled landscapes support remarkable biodiversity. The country's varied ecosystems — taiga, steppe, Gobi, mountains — host species found nowhere else on Earth.

Iconic Mongolian Wildlife

• Snow Leopard (Irbis) — approximately 1,000 individuals call Mongolia's Altai home
• Przewalski's Horse (Takhi) — the last truly wild horse, reintroduced at Khustai National Park
• Bactrian Camel — the critically endangered wild Bactrian camel survives in the Gobi
• Mongolian Saiga — found on the western steppe
• Argali — the world's largest wild sheep roams Mongolia's mountains
• Mongolian Gazelle — millions migrate across the eastern steppe in one of the last great ungulate migrations

Protected Areas

Mongolia has 99 protected areas covering over 27 million hectares — about 17.4% of the country. Key national parks include Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area, Khövsgöl Nuur, Bogd Khan Uul, and Khustai National Park.

Mongolia experiences an extreme continental climate with four distinct seasons. Each offers a different, unforgettable experience.

Summer: June – August ⭐ Peak Season

The most popular time to visit. Temperatures are warm (20–30°C), the steppe is vivid green, and the world-famous Naadam Festival takes place in mid-July. Perfect for horseback riding, ger camp stays, and outdoor adventures.

Autumn: September – October

Golden landscapes and crisp air. Excellent visibility for photography. Eagle hunting season begins in September — the Golden Eagle Festival in Bayan-Ölgii is held in early October.

Winter: November – February

Extreme cold (-20 to -40°C) but hauntingly beautiful. The Ice Festival on Lake Khövsgöl (late February) is spectacular. Ger stays with families are deeply authentic. Not for the faint-hearted.

Spring: March – May

Baby animal season on nomadic farms — foals, lambs, and calves are born. Landscapes transition from brown to green. Weather can be unpredictable with sandstorms in April.

Long before Buddhism arrived in the 16th century, Mongolians practised Tengrism — a shamanistic faith centred on the worship of the Eternal Blue Sky (Tenger) and Earth (Etugen). Shamans (bö and udgan) serve as intermediaries between the human world and the spirit realm.

Today, shamanism coexists with Buddhism in a uniquely Mongolian spiritual synthesis. Sacred mountains are worshipped, ovoos (stone cairns) mark holy sites, and shamanistic rituals are performed for healing, protection, and seasonal ceremonies.

The Buryat Mongols of Khövsgöl and the shamanic communities of Ulaanbaatar maintain some of the most vibrant living shamanistic traditions in the world.

Mongolia has a rich artistic heritage ranging from petroglyphs carved 5,000 years ago to exquisite contemporary craftsmanship.

Traditional Arts

• Urtiin Duu — "Long Song," a hauntingly beautiful traditional vocal form, UNESCO Intangible Heritage
• Morin Khuur — the horsehead fiddle, Mongolia's national instrument; its resonant sound evokes the steppe
• Khoomei — throat singing from the Mongolian and Tuvan tradition; a single performer produces multiple simultaneous tones
• Thangka painting — intricate Buddhist iconographic art on silk or cotton

Crafts

Traditional felt-making, leather tooling, silversmithing, and woodcarving are practiced across the country. Mongolian deel (traditional garment) and boots are still worn daily, each region with its own distinctive style and colours.