Land of the Blue Sky: What You Should Know Before Visiting Mongolia

As one of the last surviving nomadic societies, Mongolia is a perfect destination to get a taste of what nomadic life is like. Before you head to this increasingly popular country, it's worth taking some time to prepare yourself for that incredible journey by asking yourself questions like when the best time to go is, whether it requires a visa, what great experiences it has to offer, etc. Below are my answers to these and other commonly asked questions. Hope they will help you better plan and preview your trip.

1. When is the best time to visit?

Mongolia is known as the land of the blue sky and boasts 260 days of sunshine a year, but this doesn't mean that you can expect a warm climate when traveling across the country. This is mostly because it has a very extreme continental climate and the temperatures change a lot from summer to winter. During the long, cold winter, temperatures often drop below freezing, as low as minus 40°F (-40°C). So the best time to visit is during the relatively warm summer months of July and August. Note that this is also the peak season due to the Naadam Festival, so it's highly recommended to book your travel months ahead. May, June, and September are also good months to visit because of fewer tourists and lower prices.

Sand dunes and oasis in Mongolia

2. Do I need a visa?

Most foreign nationals need a visa to visit Mongolia, including Australians, Britons, French, etc. People from 22 countries can stay in the U.S. without a visa for 30 to 90 days. For instance, US citizens are given up to 90 days' stay visa-free. Nationals of Canada and Germany can enter Mongolia without a visa for a visit of up to 30 days.

If you are not from one of the visa-exempt nations, you can easily get a 30-day tourist visa at any Mongolian embassy or consulate. If you don't live in a country with a Mongolian consulate, you can get a tourist visa at the airport in Ulaanbaatar.

No matter your nationality, you are required to register if you plan to stay over 30 days.

Vast steppe in Mongolia

3. What festivals and events do I expect to attend?

Like most history-rich nations, Mongolia is filled with colorful festivals and events held throughout the year. Below are some of the best ones for you to experience the nomadic culture.

Naadam Festival

Held every summer, the centuries-old Naadam Festival is one of the most celebrated traditional events in the Mongolian land. The festival features "three manly sports": horse-riding, wrestling, and archery. Though the festival is held across the country, the grandest celebration takes place in Ulaanbaatar, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. Consider heading to the countryside if you prefer a quieter ambiance.

Tsagaan Sar

Also called the Mongolian Lunar New Year, Tsagaan Sar is one of the most important holidays in the country. It's celebrated on the first day of the Mongolian lunar month, which marks the end of winter. It's a time for the Mongolian people to feast on their specialties and enjoy traditional songs and dances with family and friends.

Golden Eagle Festival

The Golden Eagle festival is observed in the Bayan-Ölgii aimag in western Mongolia. It's an annual event that takes place during the first weekend of October, in which a competition is held among eagle hunters to use well-trained golden eagles to catch small animals like foxes and hares. It's a great chance to see up-close the majestic bird and marvel at the skill of the hunter. The speed, agility, and accuracy of the competitor will determine whether a competitor can become the winner or not.

Camel Festival

The Thousand Camel Festival is an important event held annually (usually in March) in the Gobi Desert to celebrate the endangered Bactrian camel. The festival highlights camel races, polo competitions, and traditional Mongolian music and dance performances.

Camel ride in Mongolia

4. What food do I expect to have in Mongolia?

The food you can expect to have in Mongolia may be quite different from what you're accustomed to, which is due to the fact that many Mongolians remain nomads to this day. People eat a lot of goats, mutton, horse, and dairy products. Because the climate is continental, vegetables are hard to find, so it may be hard for vegetarians to find the right food, especially in rural areas. In cafes and restaurants in cities like Ulaanbaatar, however, you'll have a greater variety of food to choose from.

Here are some special foods or drinks that you may like to try during your trip in Mongolia:

Buuz: steamed dumpling filled with shredded beef or lamb
Khuushuur: fried dumpling filled with beef or lamb
Khorkhog: Mongolian barbecue made by putting pieces of meat, carrots, onions, and potatoes inside a container with hot stones to heat.

Typical Mongolian food

5. What are some of the best experiences from a Mongolian trip?

Mongolia is an amazing land full of unusual things to do, and here are some of the best ones:

Explore the capital: Ulaanbaatar

Home to approximately half of the country's population, Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia's most modern and vibrant city, where you can find luxury hotels and international restaurants serving a wide range of cuisines and even parties till 3 am. Besides, ancient culture and traditions are still alive here in the capital. So history buffs won't be disappointed. Watch traditional theatre, explore the nation's best museums, visit mysterious monasteries, and so much more.

Spend a night in the ger tent

No Mongolia trip is complete without sleeping in a quintessential ger. This portable, lightweight, and excellently insulated tent is what some 50% of the nation's population calls home. A night stay in the ger not only gives you an authentic bite of nomadic life but also provides you with a great base to go further and see the fantastic landscapes and rich wildlife.

Ger camping in Mongolia

Visit the nomadic family

Nearly a quarter of Mongolians still lead a nomadic life, moving to more promising grassland for better grazing throughout the year. When traveling to rural areas, you'll get the opportunity to learn about this age-old lifestyle by visiting a hospitable nomadic family.

Discover Gurvan Saikhan National Park

The largest and one of the most visited national parks in Mongolia, Gurvan Saikhan National Park, is known for its spectacular sand dunes, ice canyons, and majestic mountains. Apart from its amazing natural wonders, the park is home to rare animals such as Bactrian camels and snow leopards, over 200 species of birds, including the Mongolian desert finch and desert warbler, as well as some 600 types of plants.

Mongolian bird

6. What to wear on a Mongolia tour?

Bear in mind that Mongolia is a land of extreme climates, and weather changes fast and often unexpectedly. In summer, it may be warm during the day but chilly when the night falls, let alone in winter. So, always be prepared to dress in layers.

7. Are credit cards widely used in Mongolia?

Most hotels, restaurants, and department stores use credit cards like Visa and MasterCard. Besides, banks and ATMs are widely available in major cities.

Fancy a taste of nomadic life? You can now create your own custom Mongolia adventure with the assistance of our travel specialists who have previously been there. Or if you'd like to know more about traveling to Mongolia, write to me at.