MONGOLIA TRAVEL GUIDE
Mongolia, a nation bordered by China and Russia, is known for vast, rugged expanses and nomadic culture. Its capital, Ulaanbaatar, centres around Chinggis Khaan (Genghis Khan) Square, named for the notorious founder of the 13th- and 14th-century Mongol Empire.
While Mongolia is not quite the savage and godforsaken place of imagination, it is still amongst the last of the untamed territories of the world. The desolate and hostile expanse of the Gobi Desert, the unrelenting peaks of Altai - Tavan Bogd, the frozen 'Blue Pearl' Lake Khovsgol, the bleak volcanoes of Uran Uul and Togoo Uul and the magnificent valleys of Terelj and Yolyn Am, the 'Flaming Cliffs' and fossil park of Bayanzag, salt and freshwater lakes, springs and glaciers galore - all await the visitor. Mongolia is an unusual, harsh land - but it’s also amazingly beautiful in its arid splendour. Don’t expect the luxuries and pampering of more popular tourist destinations, instead prepare for the experience of a lifetime in an almost extraterrestrial terrain.
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MONGOLIA QUICK FACTS
With only 1.7 people per km², Mongolia has the lowest population density among all independent countries in the world, and it is this vast and majestic emptiness that is the country's enduring appeal, bringing the traveller, as it does, into a close communion with nature and its nomadic inhabitants.
- Capital: Ulaanbaatar
- Currency: Togrog/Tugrik (MNT)
- Area: 1,565,000 km²
- Population: 3,17 million (2018)
- Language: Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian
- Religion: Tibetan Buddhist (Vajrayana) 97.5%, Muslim (primarily in the southwest), Shamanism, and Christian 1.5%
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MONGOLIA PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
- 1 June, Mother and Child Day
- 11–13 July, Naadam Festival
- 26 November, Independence Day
Also, Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year) and Chinggis Khaan’s Birthday.
MONGOLIA WEATHER SYNOPSIS
Mongolia has a strongly continental climate, with four distinctive seasons, high fluctuations of temperature, low precipitation and clear climate differences according to latitude and altitude. Average temperatures range between around -4 and -8°C in and between mountain ranges climbing to around 2°C in the steppe desert region and around 6°C in the southern desert bordering China. Temperature varies dramatically throughout the year. Historically maximum temperatures have peaked at around 24°C in July, while January minimum temperatures drop to around -28°C. Annual precipitation rarely exceeds 400 mm, and is often much lower in the south and central desert and steppe regions. An estimated 85% of precipitation falls between April and September. Small inter-annual variations in precipitation can lead to severe drought events, with some regions not experiencing rainfall at all.
SPORT & ACTIVITIES
SNOW SPORT IN MONGOLIA
The snow sports season in Mongolia can stretch all the way from November and last until March. You can even appreciate the city lights while skiing at night!
HIKING & CYCLING IN MONGOLIA
The best time for outdoor activities in Mongolia is from May to September, with June to August being the most pleasant.
