Kharkhorin City Museum

Kharkhorin museum is small, but highly impressive – probably the country’s best museum outside Ulaanbaatar. Everything is beautifully designed and well displayed.

The exhibits include dozens of artifacts dating from the 13th and 14th centuries that were recovered from the immediate area, plus others that were found from archaeological sites in other parts of the provinces, including prehistoric stone tools. You’ll see pottery, bronzes, coins, religious statues, and stone inscriptions. There’s also a half-excavated kiln sunk into the museum floor.

Perhaps most interesting is the scale model of the ancient Karakorum, which aims to represent the city as it may have looked in the 1250s, and is based on descriptions written by the missionary William of Rubruck. Don’t miss the doco detailing the excavation of the 6th-century tomb of Shoroon Bumbagar, which is located 220km from Kharkhorin.

Erdenezuu Monastery

In the 1580s, by the order of Dalai Lama first temple of Erdenezuu monastery was built on the ruin of the Mongolian ancient capital the Karakorum.  By the 1792s, there were 62 temples, over 500 buildings nearby. The monastery was registered in “Heritage of Mongolia” by UNESCO. Today:

Dalai Lama temple exposes 13 “nagtan” images of Mahakala, six images of 12 Dalai Lama’s emanations, and copper image of Under Gegeen Zanabazar, the first leader of Mongolian Buddhism.

Tsamba temple devoted to the deity Tsamba has three rooms. Four Lamas used to occupy each room to recite certain sutras.

West Zuu Temple was built by wish of Abtai Sain Khan, his son Ereehei Mergen’s queen Suntaihu and Holoch Darhan noyon’s mother. Three Buddhas in the center of the temple are Kasyapa, Shakyamuni, Maitreya.

Middle Zuu Temple was built by Abtai Sain Khan on the 15th of mid-month of the summer of fiery male dog year in old Takhai place.

East Zuu Temple was built at the request of Tusheet Khan Gombodorj and his queen Khandjamts. There are three statues and Janraiseg, Buddha Shakyamuni, Je Zonkhapa.

Orkhon River Waterfall

The waterfall falls from 24 m lava cliffs when the Ulaan River confluences the Orkhon River. Therefore, the waterfall is called differently such as Ulaantsutgalan or Orkhon Waterfall, or Orkhonii Khurkheree. The Ulaantsutgalan waterfall is one of the picturesque sights in the historically significant Orkhon River Valley, which requires bumpy driving through the lava-covered scenic valley full of nomads and their animals.
The waterfall locates 495 km from Ulaanbaatar, 135 km from Kharkhorin, and 30 km from the nearest town Bat-Ulziit of Uvurkhangai province.

Khuisiin Naiman Nuur Lakes

The Khuisiin Naiman Nuur or Eight Lakes were formed by volcanic eruptions centuries ago and are a part of the 11500 hectares Khuisiin Naiman Nuur Nature Reserve. These scenic lakes are accessible on horseback or hiking from the northern side. The Eight Lakes are called Shireet, Mukhar, Khaliut, Bugat, Khaya, Duruu, Khuis, and Onon located 500 m to 3 km to each other.
The area is extremely beautiful surrounded by coniferous tree-covered mountains and the forest clearings have multitudes of wildflowers, is a famous horse-riding destination in central Mongolia.

Tuvkhun Monastery

Tovkhon is one of the oldest Buddhist Monasteries in Mongolia and a famous Pilgrimage center, which was built on the 2312 m rocky top of Shiveet Ulaan Mountain hidden deep in the Khangai Mountain. The monastery was first named Dubkhen meaning “creation temple” and later turned to Tovkhon.
The monastery is accessible both from the eastern slope and western slope of the mountain. A return hiking takes 2.5 hours through scenic trails of coniferous tree-covered mountains, plus some sightseeing time. A sturdy 4WD can drive the steep road up about 20 min or you could hire a horse. Though, hiking to the monastery is the best and the safest way.

Elsen Tasarkhai – Khugnu Tarna Natural Reserve

Elsen Tasarkhai is a part of the Mongol Els sand dunes, that continues 80 km long 5 km wide across Burd, Bulgan, and Gurvanbulag soum of Uvurkhangai province. It is located 280 km west of Ulaanbaatar and 80 km east of Karakorum – the ancient Mongolian capital. The area is surrounded by sand dunes, hills covered with rare bushes, and a small forest near a river. Together this presents a unique combination of Mongolian mountains, forests, and Gobi-type landscape in one location. Local people call these sand dunes Duut mankhan (Singing sand).

Khuvsgul Lake

Khuvsgul Lake is known as Dark Blue Pearl among beautiful mountains.

Lake Khuvsgul is Mongolia’s largest and deepest lake. Located in the northernmost province, it is the largest tributary stream of Lake Baikal in Russia. 96 rivers and streams flow out of Khuvsgul, among them the Egiin River, which then joins the Selenge along its eventual path to Lake Baikal.

Lake Khuvsgul is 136 km long, water beneath 100 meters & 36 km wide, 262 meters deep and is located at an altitude of 1645 m above sea level.

Taiga Fauna and Flora, Tsaatan, practising reindeer breeding are the main attractions for tourists. Lake Khuvsgul is the important migration route for birds from Siberia, thus facilitating marvellous opportunities for bird watching.

Khoridol Saridag Mountain Range

The Khoridol Saridag Mountains are a protected area in the north of Mongolia, home to remote communities, plentiful wildlife encounters, and swathes of pristine wilderness. With some of the most exciting and beautiful mountain trekking trails in Mongolia, groups travelling to the remote Khoridol Saridag Mountain Range are unlikely to encounter any other people, offering a stark contrast to the busy capital, Ulaanbaatar.  Students visiting this area can assist in projects with rural communities, trek through the forests, summit Uran Dosh Uul (2,702 meters), and follow the rivers of the Darkhad Valley.

Arsai Waterfall

The highest waterfall in Mongolia is located on the Arsai River, Khuvsgul province. Apart from the fact that the largest one, 24 meters high waterfall lies in Orkhon Valley, the length of Arsai waterfall is about 70 meters high. Khuvsgul province and Khuvsgul Lake have so many natural treasures.

Uran Extinct Volcano

This extinct volcano lies near the road and stretches from Bulgan town to Moron, the administrative city of Khuvsgul province for 80 kilometres northwest of Bulgan town through the territory of Kutag- Undur Soum. The reserve occupies a territory of 8 square kilometres with an elevation of 1,686 meters above sea level.

It has been protected since 1965, and today enjoys the statue of ” Natural Monument “. On the top of the extinct volcano is a crater, 500 to 600 meters wide and 50 meters deep, filled with a small “crater lake” about 20 meters in diameter. There are green woods in the centre of Crater Lake.

It is a really fascinating mountain. Red deer, Argali, Wild boar, Siberian Ibex, Ruddy Shelduck, and duck are found in this area.

Ulaan Taiga Forest

Ulaan Taiga (Mongolian: Улаан Тайга, lit. “red taiga”) is a mountain range in north-western Khövsgöl, Mongolia, between the Darkhad Valley and Mongolia’s border with Tuva, Russia. The range covers parts of the Ulaan-Uul, Tsagaannuur and Bayanzürkh sums. Notable peaks include Mt. Lam Taiga (2619m) and Mt. Belchir (3351m). The Shishged River and the Delgermörön have their sources in this area. A part of the area along the border with Tuva has been put under natural protection.

Darkhad Depression

The beautiful, mountainous Darkhad Valley, watered by countless rivers and containing 300 lakes, is located in the Far North of Mongolia next to the border with Tuva in Siberia and a four-day drive along a dirt track from the capital Ulaanbaatar. It is home to the Darkhad minority people who, like 5% of Mongolians, like in felt tents called ger and, in the very Far North, the Dukha or Tsaatan reindeer herders who live in conical tents similar to the North American teepee. The area is home to some of the most powerful shamans in Mongolia.

Amarbaysgalant Monastery

The Amarbayasgalant Monastery is located 360 km north of Ulaanbaatar is one of the favourite destinations for visitors. It can be reached by jeep or by a combination of local train and motor vehicle rides.

Built-in 1727-1736, the Monastery was the second most important in Mongolia after Erdene Zuu Monastery in Kharkhorin. The Monastery was established in 1727-1736 dedicated to Mongolian Religious First Bogd Gegeen. There were 27 kinds of big and small temples.

According to Mongolian History in the 17th -19th-century, Amarbayasgalant was a Mongolian greatest pilgrimage Buddhist Center. There were about one thousand lamas living chanted, studied in this Monastery. According to history, Amarbayasgalant was sacked during the repressions of in1930-1940.

In 1996 it was nominated by UNESCO as a Heritage Site. After 65 years monks organized the “Tsam” Religious dance first time in Amarbayasgalant Monastery in 2002.

Saikhany Khutul

Saikhanii Khutul is the most attractive destination of not only Selenge aimag, but also Mongolia, where you can observe Orkhon and Selenge river basins from the top of the mountains. Orkhon and Selenge rivers flow into Lake Baikal and are considered the biggest rivers of Mongolia.

View into Saikhanii Khutul might be brighter in the summer. However, one who visits there could not forget that spectacular view for a lifetime whether it is summer or spring.

Border guards furnished Saikhanii Khutul with stairs, tables, and chairs to rest, little bridges as well as stone monuments.

Mongolia, the country with the lowest population density in the world, gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “the middle of nowhere”. And therein lies the country’s appeal. Rivers, lakes mountains, and the vast expanses of the Gobi Desert are just some of Mongolia’s breathtaking landscapes.

Mongolian Gobi Desert is the largest desert in Asia, and the area is often imagined as a lifeless desert-like in many other parts of the world. In reality, most part of the Gobi Desert is a land of steppes, sands, mountains, rich with wildlife and also, it is a home of two-humped camels.

 So here’s the 5 reasons why you must travel the Mongolian Gobi Desert and why it must be on your bucket list if you’re planning to visit Mongolia.

1. The last surviving nomadic hospitality.

The stay and visit at nomadic family will be your favorite part of your travel in the Gobi Desert, involving the nomad’s daily activities will give you a very good idea of what life in the Mongolian Gobi is like. Nomads always lack visitors. Therefore, always welcome visitors pleasantly and give them food and lodging if they need it.

2. The Gobi Desert holds a very important historical place.

The Gobi Desert holds historical importance as it played an important role in history as part of the great Mongol Empire, serving as the location of several important cities along the Silk Road. The Gobi Desert region first became known in Europe through Marco Polo in the 13th Century who described this vast land vividly.

3. The Gobi Desert is home of the largest dinosaur fossils in the world.

The Gobi holds the most important archaeological place where the first discovered that Dinosaurs laid eggs. The Gobi, which hid the dinosaur footprints until this time, came to the world’s attention this way.

4. The Gobi Desert has uniqueyet beautiful inhabitants.

Ancient sub-species of the brown bear and only desert-dwelling bear species Mazaalai lives in the Mongolian Gobi. With less than thirty living individuals, the Gobi bear is on the brink of extinction. Other than Mazaalai, the Bactrian camel, Khulan (Equus hemionus), and snow leopard are native in the Gobi,

5. Spectacular Gobi landscape will amaze you.

The Gobi Desert is home to the Khongor sand dune. At over 12km wide, 180km long, and a height of 80 meters, this is one of the world’s biggest and most beautiful sand dunes. And there is a national park named Gobi Gurvan Saikhan, which is a hidden gem in the middle of the Gobi desert with many rare migratory birds and more mammals between sumptuous steep hills.