Traveling to Mongolia is a wonderful holiday destination for romantics and adventure seekers. This place is suitable for those who want to test themselves on an off-road jeep trip, for fishing enthusiasts, where you can catch grayling weighing two kilograms from the waters of one of the natural reservoirs. Here you can try to hunt with golden eagles. You can also take part in a trip to the ruins of ancient cities or among the snowy mountains at an altitude of about 4000 meters above sea level.
This article provides information about the features of recreation in Mongolia.
Features
Mongolia is a country of nomads, a wonderful blue sky and amazing puzzles.
It is a country of contrasts in every way. The northernmost desert zone passes through the territory of this state, and at the same time, the southern part of permafrost lies here. In January, the air temperature is from -30 to -10 degrees Celsius, and in July - +15 - +40 degrees. The difference between day and night temperatures can also reach 30 degrees.
Another interesting feature is that in mid-June there may be ice on the Mongolian lakes. It is also noteworthy that the purest soft turquoise ice, breaking off under the rays of the bright summer sun, moves from powerful lacquers from lakes to numerous streams and rivers. In this country, the air is surprisingly clean and fresh.
These places are perfect for self-rest by car. In Mongolia, there is something to see: vast territories with many natural and historical sights, as well as distinctive cities with their own unique history.
Cities
The main population of the agrarian cattle-breeding country is nomads. However, today many Mongols live in cities, use modern gadgets and work in large institutions.
The capital of the state of Ulaanbaatar is the largest and most "ancient" (365 years) city of Mongolia. Of course, its outward appearance Ulan Bator gives the impression of provincialism, but there are concert halls and theaters, restaurants and shops, as well as "underground" casinos.
Darkhan is the second largest city. It concentrates many manufacturing enterprises. This is the industrial center of Mongolia.
Near modern cities, there is ancient Mongolia. To the east of Ulaanbaatar (380 kilometers) is the Erdene-Zuu Monastery, erected among the ruins of the city of Karakorum - the capital of the ancient Mongolian state, founded by Genghis Khan in 1220 and lasting until the 16th century. Near the walls of the monastery, local merchants sell various Buddhist figures of burkhanas, ancient coins, as well as fragments of the original iron and bronze ornaments found in the lands of the former Karakorum.
Travelers are no less interested in Gandan (Gandantekchinling) - a Buddhist monastery. Around it, typical buildings of the old city of Mongolia have been preserved, and this place is surrounded by narrow small streets with trading benches.
Since 1950, in connection with the beginning of the development of diplomatic relations and with active railway construction, tourism in Mongolia began to actively develop. Holidays in this country can leave a lot of unforgettable impressions.
Natural attractions
The most convenient time for enjoying the natural beauty is the period from May to October. The rest of the time, the climate with dust storms and with temperatures below 30 degrees is too harsh to travel.
Holidays in Mongolia at the height of the season can bring a lot of pleasure thanks to the magnificent landscapes representing the pride of the country. In the northern part of the country there are snow-capped mountains of Altai, in the central part there are endless green steppes with magnificent lakes with emerald water, and in the south there are hills and colorful expanses of the Gobi desert, where paleontological studies are carried out all the time.
There are 22 national parks in Mongolia, most of which have a fairly developed tourist infrastructure. They have comfortable campsites. Each park has its own unique zest. These are the remains of dinosaurs, beautiful ice valleys and sandstorms, the ruins of ancient monasteries, volcanoes, sculpture parks and cave paintings, as well as ethnic settlements and caves. In addition to all this, here you can get acquainted with numerous representatives of the local rich fauna. These are Przhevalsky horses, argali, snow leopards, yaks, black vultures, desert bears and other animals.
In many of these parks, you can take car and hiking trips, camel and horse trekking, enjoy meals with national cuisine and folklore shows. You can buy a lot of local souvenirs. Holidays in Mongolia are magnificent in their own way.
Hubsugul Lake
This body of water is the most beautiful and deepest lake in Mongolia. It is located at the foot of the mountain peaks of the Munku-Sardyk, Hiin-Nuuru and Bayan Zu ranges. The waters of the lake are crystal clear, and the coasts are virgin and picturesque, densely overgrown at the very edge of the water with high (25 meters) larch trees. It is an almost untouched oasis of wildlife. Holidays on Lake Khubsugul in Mongolia will be remembered for a long time. Around the world there are few such places left. Here, nature has been in its natural state for millennia. In these places there are many birds and wild animals, and the waters of the lake are rich in fish.
In geological terms, Khubsugul is a reservoir of the Baikal type, and it is often called the smaller brother of Lake Baikal. They are similar not only to coastal landscapes. The water that flows from Khubsugul through the Aegiyn-Gola River first falls into the Selenga River (the largest tributary of Lake Baikal), then, flowing along the Mongolian and Transbaikal steppes (1200 km), flows into Lake Baikal.
Holidays in Mongolia on Hubsugul - a good option for beach lovers. The combination of magnificent natural landscapes on the coast of the lake with untouched nature is attractive for tourists. There are more than 30 recreation centers (the south of the lake near the village of Khatgal and the north of the lake in the village of Hankh). They are exotic corners with traditional felt yurts. It offers Mongolian national cuisine, there is the opportunity to make horse trips along the coast of the lake and along the Darkhad Basin. The Mongolian national color, preserved from ancient times, gives a special uniqueness to the journey.
Leisure
Mongolia can be called a country of miracles. She is really magical. Holidays in Mongolia for fishing lovers - that’s it. Giants graylings and Ottomans can turn out to be prey here. No less exciting is hunting with golden eagles.
Hiking enthusiasts will not be indifferent to the mountainous routes of the Mongolian Altai. Here you can climb to the highest peak of Kiytin-Uul - Nairamdal (height 4374 meters).
Architectural monuments
Most tourists (especially from Japan) come to this country to get acquainted with the cultural heritage - the monuments of the empire of Genghis Khan and his subsequent descendants, as well as Buddhist shrines. Buddhist monasteries can be found in the suburbs of the capital, and in national parks. True, they can be active, but they can also represent ruined ruins.
Resting in Mongolia, curious tourists should visit the sacred place for the Mongolian people - Mount Bogd-Ul, which is the birthplace and adolescence of Genghis Khan himself.
Karakorum is the most famous archaeological park in Mongolia with religious buildings and palaces, as well as Paleolithic workshops located in the Gobi Desert.
The capital of the state is interesting and colorful, where huge five-star hotels located in the very center of the city are perfectly adjacent to the nomads' yurts, monasteries and museums. Here are the Parliament Building, Peace Bell, Khan’s Headquarters, Opera and Ballet Theater, an amusement park and the largest Asian cashmere market.
Reviews
Holidays in Mongolia, according to tourists who have visited this country, are original and specific.
Among the advantages can be called huge spaces with magnificent untouched by nature, free access to interesting objects.
Among the shortcomings, the following can be distinguished: rest is not for those who are accustomed to comfortable conditions.
Cognitively, here you can learn a lot of interesting things about past history and the modern life of the people.
According to tourists, a vacation in Mongolia is definitely good for romantics who love nature and are not picky about living conditions. Some tourists note a not very good situation on the roads of Mongolia. Firstly, there are drunk drivers, and secondly, often animals (camels and horses) interfere on the roads and run out unexpectedly. It is also noted that in settlements practically no traffic rules are observed.
Finally
In any case, holidays in Mongolia are diverse and unforgettable. Mongolia is a country of amazingly beautiful nature and centuries-old history of the people. Traditions of the population and life allow a completely different look at this mysterious world. It is difficult to find tourists who are disappointed in the beauties of Mongolia.