Visiting Mongolia

Mongolia Tour

Mongolia tours are a great way to see the many facets of Mongolian life, society, culture, and geography.

There are many different types of tours in Mongolia. Shorter options include day tours of Ulaanbaatar and overnight tours in the Mongolian national parks.

Longer Mongolia tours include Naadam Festival tours for the annual national event that takes place every July, and tours that cover the Gobi Desert or involve home stays with nomadic Mongolian families in the countryside.

Tours are offered by a range of companies and operators, some of which are local Mongolian outfits and others of which are international.

When researching Mongolia tours, make sure to shop around to make sure that the tour itinerary includes everything you need and want. Be sure to check for what is included or not included in the tour price, and compare several options before choosing one.

Genghis Khan Statue in Mongolia

Some of the best day trips from Ulaanbaatar are close to the city and easily accessible by car.

Genghis Khan Statue

One of the best day trips from Ulaanbaatar is to the huge metal Genghis Khan statue in Tsonjin Boldog. The statue is 131 feet tall and is the world’s largest equestrian statue.

Just 54km from the city, the statue was completed in 2009. The location is the spot that Genghis Khan supposedly found his golden whip.

The Genghis Khan statue in Mongolia features a newly-opened visitors center with a restaurant and an observation tower. Plans are in the works to build a ger camp and more restaurants nearby.

The views from the statue across the Mongolian countryside are stunning, and the statue is well worth a visit.

Terelj National Park

Terelj National Park is another of the best day trips from Ulaanbaatar. The park is only 55km from Ulaanbaatar and is a great place to go hiking, horseback riding, or to stay overnight in a traditional ger.

Terelj National Park is also home to the famous Turtle Rock, which can be climbed for views over the area, as well as a nearby monastery that can be visited.

The uniqueness of the Terelj National Park and its proximity to the Mongolian capital make it one of the best day trips from Ulaanbaatar.

Black Market in Ulaanbaatar

Top 10 Things to Do in Ulaanbaatar:

1. Take in the city from Sukhbaatar Square, the main square in Ulaanbaatar. Around the square are the Parliament, the stock exchange, and other important buildings.

2. Hike up to the Zaisan Monument to see the Soviet-era mosaics and enjoy views over all of Ulannbaatar.

3. Visit the Gandan Monastery, one of the few monasteries in Mongolia to have survived the communist period.

4. Go shopping at the Altai Cashmere factory store to find the finest Mongolian cashmere.

5. Visit the State Department Store to pick up souvenirs.

6. Go to the Black Market to buy traditional Mongolian goods and to interact with the locals.

7. Take a day trip out to Terelj National Park and visit the giant statue of Genghis Khan and the famous Turtle Rock, or to ride horses and sleep in a traditional ger.

8. Visit the Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan. The historic palace will transport you back in time to the pre-Soviet era. On display are the Bogd Khan’s art, personal library, and ceremonial ger.

9. Spend a day at Hotel Mongolia, the only resort hotel in Ulaanbaatar. If you stay the night, you can sleep in a ger and enjoy dinner at the pagoda restaurant.

10. Visit Ulaanbaatar during the annual Naadam Festival in July and watch traditional wrestling, horse racing, and archery.