Ulaanbaatar, the capital city itself, is where most visitors begin their adventures upon arriving by plane or rail. Surrounding Ulaanbaatar are beautiful National Parks, including the most visited Terelj National Park, Hustai Wild Horse Park, and Gun Galuut Nature Reserve.
The central region is considered the cradle of Central Asian nomadic civilizations, owing to its Orkhon Valley. This area has been continuously inhabited by various ancient peoples, namely the Huns, Uighurs, and Turks, since the 3rd century BC. At its peak, it was the capital city of the greatest Mongol Empire, Kharkhorin, and an important destination on the ancient Silk Road. In addition to the historical sights of the Orkhon Valley, Mongolia's heartland boasts many natural wonders to explore, including Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, the Orkhon Waterfall, Tsenher Hot Springs, and Ugii Lake.
One of the most popular travel routes in Mongolia is Southern Mongolia, which includes the legendary Mongolian Gobi Desert. The Gobi Desert is the habitat of rare animals and features a unique natural landscape. Its terrain tells ancient stories dating back to the dinosaur era and beyond. Archaeologists and travelers continue to discover rich findings of dinosaur skeletons, bones, and fossilized eggs in the ancient seabed of the Mongolian Gobi. While the area is often imagined as a lifeless, empty desert, it actually thrives with unbelievable wildlife, colorful earth cliffs, sand dunes, occasional oases, and vast steppe landscapes where mirages dance in the distance.
The northern region of Mongolia marks the southern end of the Siberian Forest and is characterized by snowcapped mountains, dense forests, rich wildlife, and numerous freshwater lakes, including the mesmerizingly pure Khuvsgul Lake. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in the unique Darkhad ethnic culture, ride reindeer, explore many historical sites and burial monuments—it's an enticing reason to pack up and get on board. The region is also home to Mongolia's two largest cities, Erdenet and Darkhan.
The western region of Mongolia, the most remote area of the country, is also one of its most charming. Here, you can explore the breathtaking White River, stunning mountains, and unique ethnic cultures. You can experience close encounters with Golden Eagles and climb to the highest Altai Mountains, where Russian, Chinese, and Mongolian mountain ranges converge as one. This region is truly a dream destination for trekkers, mountaineers, wildlife enthusiasts, and nature lovers alike.
Eastern Mongolia is undeniably one of the last remaining untouched and least traveled destinations, despite its rich historical significance and stunningly diverse natural settings. The region combines vast steppe lands, high mountains, taiga forests, meandering rivers, and volcanoes. It was in this region that Chinggis Khaan was born and eventually laid the foundation for establishing the greatest land empire ever seen. One of the most compelling reasons to travel through eastern Mongolia is to trace the historical route of Chinggis Khaan—exploring how he spent his childhood and his journey to becoming the Great Khan of the Mongol Empire.
