Western Mongolia
These two graves, plonked incongruously on the grassy plain that runs down to the shore of Üüreg Nuur from OT Tour Camp, are each marked by a balbal …
Western Mongolia
These two graves, plonked incongruously on the grassy plain that runs down to the shore of Üüreg Nuur from OT Tour Camp, are each marked by a balbal …
Mongolia
This dramatic gorge, about 30km east of Tariat, makes for a pleasant picnic stop. There are plans to develop a 150m glass skywalk bridge across the gorge,…
Museum of History and Ethnography
The Gobi
Formerly the Aimag Museum and set inside the sports stadium, the collection here is well laid-out and worth a quick look. There is a good display on…
Mongolia
This hilltop monument is the place to head for sunset, with magnificent 360-degree views overlooking Kharkhorin and its encompassing valley. The imposing…
Mongolia
Right by the side of the road in the south of the national park is this rocky outcrop that you can scramble up to squeeze within its cavernous space. It's…
Western Mongolia
This remarkable habitat (103 sq km) straddles the Bayan-Ölgii/Uvs border and centres around Develiin Island in the Usan Khooloi and Khovd rivers. It is…
Mongolia
On the western side of the Tuul Gol, about 35km northeast of Dashinchilen, are the impressive ruins of this 17th-century fort that was the home of the…
Mongolia
Close to the turn-off to Öglögchiin Kherem, this is the most important ovoo (shamanistic collection of stones, wood or other offerings to the gods) in the…
Western Mongolia
The best petroglyphs in the area, if not all of Central Asia, can be found at Tsagaan Sala, in a river valley between Ulaankhus and Tavan Bogd. The…
Morin Khuur Statue & Seated Buddha
Mongolia
Two monuments, linked by a (worryingly wobbly) pedestrian bridge, cross a busy road and form two ends of an arch, as it were, spanning the gap between old…
Mongolia
In a side valley to the south of Terelj, take the signed turn-off from the main road to Aryapala Initiation & Meditation Centre, and you'll pass this…
Mongolia
Khar Us is a series of springs surrounded by meadows of beautiful wildflowers. In June locals flock here to eat the bailius fish for its medicinal…
Ulaanbaatar
Atop a steep hill, peaceful Tasgany Ovoo is worth a look if you haven't yet seen an ovoo, a sacred pyramid-shaped collection of stones. The views up top…
Mongolia
This attractive little monastery is a little difficult to find, but worth seeking out. Housed in a pretty log cabin in the old town, it has a host of…
The Gobi
The skyline of the city is dominated by this stupa (and the telecom tower beside it) on a hill to the west of the city's main square. Take a walk up here …
Mongolia
One of several impressive rock formations in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, this evocative natural landmark resembles a monk in prayer. Look out for it on…
The Gobi
The small museum at the gate on the main road to Yolyn Am has a collection of dinosaur eggs and bones, stuffed birds and a snow leopard. Several souvenir…
Ulaanbaatar
Red Ger Art Gallery remains one of the city's best for modern artwork by Mongolia's top contemporary painters. There are regular shows, and all artwork is…
The Gobi
Created in 1993 and one of the smaller reserves in the area. Like the Mankhan Nature Reserve in Khovd aimag, these 282 hectares have been set aside to…
Mongolia
The Mogoi Mod (snake tree) is located about 4km from Khatgal towards Jankhai Davaa in a grove of thin trees. This tree, which curves into a unique spiral,…
The Gobi
About 1km before arriving at the Yolyn Am gateway is an ice valley called Mukhar Shiveert; visitors may be required to pay an additional T3000 to visit…
Khasagt Khairkhan Strictly Protected Area
The Gobi
These 274 sq km protect habitat for endangered argali sheep and other species who thrive in the Mongol Altai mountain environment. Herders are allowed to…
The Gobi
Ergeliin Zuu (909 sq km), in the south of the province, is a small protected area that has interesting rock formations and palaeontology sites that…
The Gobi
The Petrified Trees of Süikhent can be found lying buried in the sands of the remote southern sum of Mandakh, 200km southwest of Sainshand. Some of the…
Western Mongolia
Simply meaning 'blue lake' (one of many so-named lakes in Mongolia), Khökh Nuur sits between Dayan Uul and Otgon Tenger. Just over 5km long, its grassy…
Mongolia
This squat, stone sculpture, worn down by the wind but still evocative, is one of the main balbal (stone figure believed to be a Turkic grave marker)…
Western Mongolia
Khyargas Nuur National Park (3328 sq km) is an area of springs and rocky outcrops encompassing Khyargas Nuur, western Mongolia's second largest lake and…
Mongolia
About 6km south of Jargalant is a series of rough-hewn burial mounds and cairns. They're lonely and mysterious, particularly the tomb that serves as the…
Mongolia
At the southern foot of the mountain are these ruins, with a couple of new temples and the remains of one older temple. About five monks reside here in…
Mongolia
A fun horseback trek takes you to some Turkic stone monuments southwest of the park and then on to Tuul Gol. Horse hire is T70,000 per day; contact the…
The Gobi
This white rock outcrop has the faint imprint of a strange helmeted figure, which locals believe was created by, um, aliens. Maybe they're right?
Altan Els Strictly Protected Area
Western Mongolia
This protected area (1482 sq km) due east of Uvs Nuur contains the world’s northernmost sand dunes and protects threatened desert plants.
Mongolia
Women make offerings to this balbal (stone figure believed to be a Turkic grave marker) with hopes of having healthy babies.
The Gobi
Filled with bad taxidermy, a replica Tarbosaurus skeleton and some fossils, including a 130-million-year-old fossilised turtle.
Yakovlev Сhuudiin Tank Khoshuu
Mongolia
Features an actual a Soviet tank on a pedestal, along with a sleek concrete slab. It's located 23km northwest of the town.
The Gobi
A large series of rift valleys running parallel to the Altan Uul mountain range and famous for its dinosaur fossils.
Mongolia
The twisty, final mountain pass (the name means 'tangled pass') before you leave the wilds of Khövsgöl aimag.
Ulaanbaatar
This well-curated gallery set in a stylish space exhibits contemporary Mongolian art with regular shows.