Things to do in Mongolia

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Mongolia

Sukhbaatar Square

Sukhbaatar Square is located in the city center of Ulaanbaatar and is the most important city square in Mongolia. The square was originally named Sukhbaatar Square, named after the Mongolian independence revolutionary hero Damdin Sükhbaatar. It was renamed to Sukhbaatar Square in 2013 and reverted to its original name in 2016, but many citizens are still accustomed to using the name Sukhbaatar Square. On the north side of the square is the State Palace, which houses the Mongolian President, government, and parliament. In front of it, the colonnade monument features a seated statue of Genghis Khan, flanked by statues of his son, Ögedei Khan, and his grandson, Kublai Khan. In the center of the square stands the equestrian statue of Sükhbaatar. The square is surrounded by buildings such as the National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet and the Central Cultural Palace. It is the core venue for Mongolia's politics and culture, where national celebrations and large-scale cultural events are often held.

No. 1 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Mongolia

Gorkhi Terelj National Park

Gorkhi Terelj National Park is located approx. 60–80 km northeast of Ulaanbaatar. Established in 1993, it covers an area of approx. 2,864 sq km and is one of the most popular national parks in Mongolia. The park is famous for its unique mountain landscapes, with lush alpine meadows, unique granite formations, coniferous forests, and the Tuul River interwoven throughout. Iconic landmarks include the approx. 24 m high Turtle Rock and the "Old Man Rock," which resembles an old man chanting scriptures. The Aryapala Meditation Temple within the park is built into the mountainside and connected by 108 white stupas, offering expansive views. The park is home to over 250 species of birds and is an ideal destination for hiking, horseback riding, camping, and experiencing nomadic life. The scenery of interwoven grasslands and forests is quite rare in Mongolia.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Ulaanbaatar

Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex

Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex It is said to be the place where Chinggis Khaan discovered a golden whip. The statue is 40m tall, with a total height of approx. 50m including the base. It is one of the largest equestrian statues in the world, completed in 2008 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Mongol Empire. The statue is constructed from 250 tons of stainless steel, and its image of him on horseback gazing into the distance is majestic and vivid. The base houses a museum displaying historical artifacts, traditional costumes, and archaeological findings from Mongolia. Visitors can take an elevator to the observation deck in the horse's head to overlook the vast surrounding grasslands. The surrounding area features cultural exhibition zones and souvenir shops, and it is one of the most iconic landmarks in Mongolia.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Mongolia

National Museum of Mongolia

National Museum of Mongolia is located in Ulaanbaatar and is the largest comprehensive museum in the country, housing over 57,000 exhibits. The museum's predecessor dates back to the National Central Museum, which began development in 1924. The current building was originally the Museum of the Revolution, completed in 1971, and was officially renamed the National Museum of Mongolia in 2008. The exhibitions cover the history of the Mongolian Plateau from the Stone Age to the 20th century, including prehistoric sites, artifacts from the Mongol Empire period, collections from the Qing Dynasty rule, as well as traditional costumes of various ethnic groups, nomadic cultural implements, and religious art. The museum also houses 12th-century armor and precious correspondence between the Mongol Khans and the Pope. Exhibits include descriptions in Mongolian and English, making it a central location for a comprehensive understanding of Mongolian history and culture.

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Mongolia

Gandantegchinlen Monastery

Gandantegchinlen Monastery has a history of nearly 200 years, was built by the then-abbot, and is now a very famous attraction in Mongolia. Behind the temple stands a huge statue of Tsongkhapa. Continue along the main road to the end to find the spectacular Migjid Janraisig Sud, which houses hundreds of paintings of Amitayus and several smaller Buddha statues that seem to be gazing at the great Buddha, creating a very solemn atmosphere.

Zaisan Monument

The Zaisan Monument is located on Zaisan Hill south of Ulaanbaatar and was built in 1956 to commemorate the Mongolian and Soviet soldiers who sacrificed their lives in World War II. The core of the monument is a large circular mural that vividly depicts major historical scenes of friendship between the two countries, including the independence of Mongolia in 1921, the Soviet army's defeat of the Japanese Kwantung Army in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol in 1939, the victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, and Soviet space flight achievements. Visitors need to climb hundreds of steps to reach the top, which offers a panoramic view of Ulaanbaatar and the Tuul River. At the foot of the hill, there is also a T-34 tank monument funded by the Mongolian people, which is an important attraction for understanding Mongolia's modern history.

Khuvsgul Lake

Khuvsgul Lake is located in the Khovsgol province of northern Mongolia, near the border with Russia, and is known as the blue pearl of Mongolia. The lake is approximately 136 km long and 36 km wide, with a maximum depth of 262 m. It is the largest freshwater lake in Mongolia by volume, holding about 70% of the country's freshwater resources. Formed approximately 4 to 5 million years ago, it belongs to the Baikal Rift System along with Lake Baikal in Russia, sharing a common geological origin. The lake area is surrounded by taiga forests and mountains, boasting a rich ecosystem that is home to various migratory birds and fish. In 2022, it was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The lake area is home to the Tsaatan reindeer herders, and visitors can experience horseback riding, hiking, wild fishing, and birdwatching here. In winter, the lake freezes over, and ice festivals are held.

Zaisan Hill Complex

Erdene Zuu Monastery

Erdene Zuu Monastery is located near Kharkhorin and was built in 1586 by Abtai Sain Khan, a descendant of Genghis Khan. It is the first and largest Buddhist monastery in Mongolian history and was once the earliest Buddhist center in Mongolia. At its peak, the monastery had approximately 100 temples and over 10,000 lamas. The architecture blends Mongolian, Tibetan, and Chinese styles. It covers an area of approximately 160,000 square meters and is surrounded by white stone walls about 400 m long on each side, featuring 108 white stupas that symbolize the 108 arhats. In 1938–1939, the monastery was severely damaged during the Stalinist purges, with most of the buildings destroyed and only some temples and the surrounding stupas remaining. It was converted into a museum in 1947 and later restored to a state where it serves as both a place for religious activities and a museum. The monastery preserves paintings, embroidery, precious manuscripts, and inscriptions from the 15th–17th centuries and is now listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Khustain Nuruu National Park

Khustain Nuruu National Park is located approx. 100 km west of Ulaanbaatar, covers an area of approx. 50,000 hectares, and is an important nature reserve in Mongolia. The park is world-renowned for the successful reintroduction of Przewalski's horses (known locally as "Takhi"). Przewalski's horses are the only truly wild horse species in the world. They went extinct in the wild in 1969 and have been reintroduced here from European zoos since 1992. Currently, approx. 220 Przewalski's horses inhabit the park. In addition to Przewalski's horses, the park is home to 44 species of mammals, including red deer, marmots, foxes, wolves, and lynx, as well as 217 species of birds. Early morning and evening are the best times to observe the wild horses, allowing visitors to view this rare species up close in its natural habitat.