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- What’s the top reason to visit Mongolia?
- What’s a unique way to tour Mongolia?
- What’s a hidden gem in Mongolia?
- What’s a famous landmark that people shouldn’t miss?
- What’s your favourite place to visit in Mongolia?
- When’s the best time to visit Mongolia?
- What’s something more travellers should know about Mongolia?
- What’s a common misconception about Mongolia?
- What’s your favourite place to stay in Mongolia?
- What’s the top food or drink in Mongolia that you’d recommend?
One of the advantages of working at Goway is that you get to explore some of the world’s most far-flung destinations which embody the wonders of globetrotting. Mongolia is a perfect example. This massive Asian nation evokes images of Genghis Khan and horse lords riding over the steppe. Today, it remains one of the most exciting but little-visited destinations in Asia. It’s also a place that few travellers know anything about. That’s where our experts come in. We chatted with Leo Liu, Senior Destination Specialist, who has visited Mongolia and shares his practical expertise on venturing to this nomadic Asian nation.
What’s the top reason to visit Mongolia?
Mongolia offers a chance to step into another world. You can experience one of the world’s only authentic nomadic cultures, admire the untouched landscapes, and sleep in a traditional Mongolian ger like a traveller from ages past.
What’s a unique way to tour Mongolia?
When you explore Mongolia, you can spend time with nomadic families in a ger, see how they take care of their livestock, and how they make their traditional dairy products. This also lets you try local meals and drink airag, fermented cow’s milk.
What’s a hidden gem in Mongolia?
Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, which is located 65 km northeast of Ulaanbaatar but feels like another world. It has high granite stone mountains with forest-covered northern slopes, multitudes of wildflower meadows along with the spectacular shape rocks formed by wind. Fast-flowing rivers and streams make the national park even more beautiful. It’s a favourite spot for people who are lucky enough to visit.
What’s a famous landmark that people shouldn’t miss?
The statue of Genghis (Chinggis) Khan in Ulaanbaatar. This 40m (130ft) stainless steel monument is the tallest equestrian statue in the world.
What’s your favourite place to visit in Mongolia?
The Flaming Cliffs in Bayanzag. Hiking in the Gobi Desert around the Flaming Cliffs is a once in a lifetime adventure. I was amazed by the vastness of the desert with the orange tinted rock of the cliffs.
When’s the best time to visit Mongolia?
July is the best time to visit Mongolia for culture since it’s when the national festival, Naadam Festival, takes place. August is the best time for weather, as its mild and you get to experience the lush steppe and starry sky.
What’s something more travellers should know about Mongolia?
You should join a guided tour rather than travel solo. You should also pack for extreme weather, as Mongolia experiences massive temperature swings. It’s best to visit in the summer when the weather is mild.
What’s a common misconception about Mongolia?
People don’t know a lot about Mongolia, so there are a lot of misconceptions.
One is that all Mongolians still live in a ger. In fact, half the population lives in the Ulaanbaatar area.
Another is that Mongolians still ride horses as their primary mode of daily transportation. In fact, motorcycles and cars are the most common ways to get around.
People also think that Mongolia is the least vegan place in the world. The food and meals served in the countryside and city are quite different. In the countryside, people eat more meat. Modern families in cities focus on healthy food by eating different types of vegetables and vegan food. You can find all vegetables from every store in Ulaanbaatar.
Finally, people think that Mongolia is a dangerous place to travel, when in fact it’s very safe for travellers.
What’s your favourite place to stay in Mongolia?
Bayanzag as it is the ideal gateway to the Flaming Cliffs and the Gobi Desert.
What’s the top food or drink in Mongolia that you’d recommend?
Make sure you try Tsuivan and Airag, the national meal and drink. Tsuivan is noodles with meat and vegetables, while Airag, as mentioned above, is fermented cow’s milk.
Goway's Destination Specialists, like Leo, are experts at crafting tailor-made trips to far-flung destinations such as Mongolia. Get started on your own globetrotting adventure with a free quote today.
You might say that Aren was destined to become a globetrotter after his family took him to Germany two times before he was four. If that wasn’t enough, a term spent in Sweden as a young teenager and a trek across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand confirmed that destiny. An independent writer, director, and film critic, Aren has travelled across Africa, Asia, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. His favourite travel experience was visiting the major cities of Japan’s largest island, Honshu, but his love for food, drink, and film will take him anywhere that boasts great art and culture.