Despite the increasing growth of international travel, some of the best places to visit in Mongolia before you die have escaped the flattening boots of many travelers. This fascinating destination is very appealing for people in search of a distinctive combination of nomadic culture and primordial landscapes, which are not found anywhere else in the whole world.
Mongolia is known for holding on to its rich culture and traditions, while sampling the modern way of life. Actually, Mongolia’s nomads continue to follow their old traditions even in the 21st century, while facilities and services for travelers have led to the improvement of quality and service of infrastructure. Visiting Mongolia, the place of remarkable history and spectacular scenery, is an unmatched, unique experience.
his scenic destination is located at the heart of Asia and between 2 large neighbors, China and Russia. A large part of this country is dominated by mountains, so if you are a fan of hiking and horse riding, there are plenty of such opportunities for you. In addition, the landscape is also defined by wide grasslands, desert, and plains.
Generally, it is safe to visit Mongolia. Nevertheless, the nature of adventure travel is that it usually involves some risk taking. For instance, traveling to the remote places involves certain risks including badly maintained roads and also extreme weather. You can also over-exert your body or find harsh conditions that you had not prepared for. Hence, proper preparation is necessary when visiting Mongolia, so that you are aware of what to expect during your stay.
The best thing about adventure travel is that you get to go to remote areas of unique cultures, great beauty and little known historical, archeological and natural wonders. This is exactly what you should expect from the best places to visit in Mongolia that before you die. For more enjoyment, you can even check out surreal places to visit in China before you die once you have completed your Mongolia tour.
8. Sukhbaatar Square
The Sukhbaatar square in Mongolia’s capital city of Ulaanbaatar is a great place to visit. This city is a sunny, open and peaceful place where you can see the contrast of the modern life and traditional Mongolian lifestyles. Hence, while the wide streets contain modern cars, it is common to see cattle and horsemen as well.
7. Terelj National Park
This national park continues to be a popular destination for Mongolia’s visitors. This is mainly because of its rich natural beauty, remarkable rock formations and forested mountains. Some of the key highlights in this place include Aryabal meditation temple, Turtle Rock and also visiting the local nomad families. In the summer, you can take part in bird and flower watching, rock climbing, hiking and horseback riding.
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6. Lake Khövsgöl
Lake Khövsgöl is known for being among the clearest lakes in the whole world. It is 36 km wide, 136 km long and 262 m deep. The lake is bordered by magnificent mountains covered in larch forests and thick pine, where some unique wildlife flourishes. This is where you will see some reindeer breeders living in the forests near the lake.
5. Genghis Khan Statue
Currently the largest equestrian statue, both in Mongolia and the whole world, the Genghis Khan Statue complex is an amazing site. It is close to Ulaanbaatar and it has several souvenir shops, restaurants and an area for recreation.
4. Orkhon Valley
This cultural landscape has a rich history and it represents the traditions of nomadic pastoral communities spanning over two millennia. If you want to learn about the culture of the local people and understand their traditions, this is definitely the place to visit.
3. Amarbayasgalant Monastery
This is among the major monasteries in Mongolia that represent the great craftsmanship and creative work of the 17thcentury. With most of the old monasteries having been destroyed, restoration of this particular monastery was important to help preserve the history of this area.
2. Western Mongolia
The far western side of Mongolia has been termed as the most stunning, but least traveled place. It has some of the most rare wild animals, many ethnic communities and snowcapped majestic mountains. The local Kazakh people are known for their generosity and hospitality. Key highlights include climbing to Mt. Khuiten peak, eagle hunters and the golden eagle traditional festival among others.
And, the best place to visit in Mongolia before you die is: Rock carvings on Yinshan Mountains
This is the biggest rock carving and painting site in Mongolia. The main themes that can be seen in the rock carvings include the everyday life activities of the prehistoric nomads. There are many paintings of animals such as goat, argali, sheep, foxes and rabbits. The vivid rock engravings give a clear picture of how the ancient people lived.
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These are only a few of the best places to visit in Mongolia before you die. You can include them in your itinerary the next time you are planning a trip to this scenic destination.
