Where is Mongolia
Where is Mongolia
Mongolia Map
Time in Mongolia
Mongolian Capital
Around Mongolia
Often referred to as Outer Mongolia and with many different names in the past, its official name now is just Mongolia.
Mongolia by many is commonly referred to as “land of the eternal blue sky” as the country often remains cloudless for more than two-thirds of the year.
Mongolia had been a People's Republic under Russian influence since 1924.
However, after large scale democracy protests, Mongolia eventually achieved full independence and held its first elections in 1990. This paved the way for its modern development.
The name "Mongolia" means "Land of the Mongols".
How can I find the land of the eternal blue Sky?
Mongolia is located in central East Asia.
It is a landlocked country sharing a border with China and Russia.
These two giants give Mongolia the appearance of being relatively small, whereas, in reality, the country is large.
It is the 18th largest country in the world.
Mongolia is the 2nd largest landlocked country - beaten only by Kazakhstan, a close neighbour. Although no border is shared, they are only 37 KM apart.
Flights to Mongolia are best taken from the following destinations although this may well change as the capital Ulaanbaatar prepares for a new airport.
Mongolia is 1,564,116 square kilometres in size roughly the same as Alaska although home to only 3 million.
This makes it the most sparsely populated country in the world.
The time in Mongolia is GMT+8. This is the time in Mongolia in the central and eastern area.
When travelling to the far west of the country there is also another time:
Khovd Time (HOVT), GMT +7
This allows for the change in sunrise and sunset in the far west of Mongolia.
DST in Mongolia was started in 2015 although in February 2017.
After only two years it was cancelled.
The Mongolian capital is Ulaanbaatar.
Ulaanbaatar is located to the east of the country's centre at an average altitude of 1350 meters above sea level.
For many visitors to Mongolia, they travelled here believing that Ulaanbaatar is the only city in the country.
In reality, there are 29.
Many of these do not have the western feel of a city or population, especially as Ulaanbaatar takes up almost half of the country’s 3 million residents.
Ulaanbaatar is a city that walks to its own beat and changes at its own pace. For many, it’s a rapidly changing metropolis not only the beating heart of Mongolia but the outdoor capital of the world.
Ignore stories of a one-dimensional capital. It’s easy for travellers and adventurers to paint a story in their own colour especially when it comes to Ulaanbaatar.
The city is much more, offering many layers to any visitor.
There is its ancient past with many artefacts located in the aptly named history museum through to Ulaanbaatar’s Buddhist past which dates as far back as 1778.
A visit to the monasteries on Ganden hill will tick this box.
The Soviet period saw Ulaanbaatar’s first housing. Although much of it may have been grey and uniform, there were still some lovely buildings.
Call at the Sukhbaatar square to see what remains.
Since independence, we’ve seen a drive-in building and a growth never experienced in the country’s history as the Nomad now settles down and changes Ger for an apartment.
In the past ten years, the city has seen an influx of western fast food joints, South Korean coffee shops, and the ubiquitous souvenir stalls.
Although local Mongolian food still rules, independent coffee can still be enjoyed and a visit to one of Asia’s largest markets Naruntul can fulfil your shopping needs.
North-South East and west.
For many, before travelling to Mongolia there is one image; the herdsman outside his Ger with endless grassland reaching out into the distance. This may be true however much like the local herdsman there is much more to Mongolia than meets the eye.
The country itself is split into counties known as Aimegs. These are all interesting however for the visitor there are the following regions to visit.
Home to the Gobi desert designated a nature reserve in 1975 and a UNESCO designated Biosphere reserve in 1991. A great place to travel to for those giant sand dune moments, although as sand covers only 3% of the total Gobi area there is a lot more to see.
As with any desert a lifeless void the Gobi is not with varying zones from mountains, canyons, river valleys, and stunning cliffs. All of this is home not only to the indigenous wildlife but Mongolian camel herders who work and live in this tough terrain.
The Gobi is one of the more visited areas of Mongolia, due to its stunning scenery and easier links with the capital.
Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful regions in Mongolia, the North is home to heavily forested mountains (Taiga), steppe, untouched rivers, and lakes.
The North is a little more difficult to travel through especially when traversing the Forested areas north of the beautiful Khuvsgul Lake.
This region is as diverse in its people as its scenery it is home to the Khalkha, Darhad, Buryat and Tsaatan Peoples. The Tsaatan peoples have gained much notoriety in recent years as they still live in their family unit’s deep within the Taiga farming their Reindeer herds.
Famed amongst Mongolians as being the birthplace of Chinggis Khan, not only Mongolia’s most famous of rulers but the emperor of the world’s largest land empire. Many areas remain little changed as taiga opens up to pristine untouched grassland.
Travel a little further and catch a glimpse of some of the countries 220 dormant volcanoes.
For many, the North of the country may be the most beautiful whoever for me it has to be the west.
Framed by the snowcapped mountains of the Altai mountain range this area is one of the lesser-visited regions.
Valleys, mountains, and Steppe are home to Mongolians and Kazakh the latter famed for their use of Eagles.
Not only home to the nation’s capital, but the countries beating heart and for most visitors their introduction to this beautiful country.
Almost a microcosm of the rest of Mongolia, the centre encompasses Mountains, grasslands, lakes and even an area referred to as the micro Gobi dessert.
For those interested in history, the ancient city of Karakorum was located in this region, now a slip of its former self a visit here is still worth the exhilarating journey.
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