Mongolia Travel Guide

Mongolia travel tips & advice

Mongolia is a landlocked country that lies between China and Russia. It is considered to be one of the last regions on the planet that the nomadic lifestyle is still a part of life. The capital is Ulaanbaatar and it has five distinct regions that differ in culture and geography. They include:

Most travelers end up in Mongolia on their way to/from Russia or China traveling on the Trans-Mongolian railway route between Moscow and Beijing. When traveling this route the most likely place for travelers to jump off and explore is Ulaan Bataar.

UB as it's called by the local expats and travelers doesn't have a whole lot to offer on it's own - There are some great little hole-in-the-wall bars and restaurants and they have quite a few restaurants catering to Western tastes, which is a welcome relief after China and Mongolia.

The best way to explore Mongolia is to arrange a tour in Ulaan Bataar. It's worth shopping around, as there are many tour companies from luxury to budget. Many hostels offer trips as well and this is the best bet for casual budget travelers. The tours usually involve renting a Russian van, and a driver as well as a guide / interpreter. Most tour operators can suggest routes if you're not sure where to go, and you can usually find other travelers to split the costs with. When I was there we traveled over 2000km west to the Kazak border and had a fantastic time, staying with local families along the way. Mongolia remains one of my most memorable trips, and I'd go back in a second.

The remoteness of Mongolia may not be appealing to most travelers, but many feel that it truly brings them closer to nature.

Mongolia is a landlocked country that lies between China and Russia. It is considered to be one of the last regions on the planet that the nomadic lifestyle is still a part of life. The capital is Ulaanbaatar and it has five distinct regions that differ in culture and geography. They include:

* Central Mongolia – This is where the capital is and is the most popular tourist area.
* Eastern Mongolia
* Gobi – This is mostly a desert area
* Northern Mongolia
* Western Mongolia – You will discover Lake Uvs Nuur here. This is one of the largest lakes and has been named as one of the World Heritage Sites.

Most countries do not need to obtain a visa to enter Mongolia, but is best to contact the embassy to ensure that regulations have not changed.

The most popular time to travel starts in May; this is a time for festivals, but it can also bring crowds. Fall is also a nice time to visit and is not as crowded. The weather is still quite warm so you can site-see the area. Winter tourism is less popular and not for the tourist who hates the cold.