the Travel Enthusiast
- 09 Jan
itachan in Amazing Places | NO COMMENTS5 amazing sights in Mongolia
Erdene Zuu, photo by Honza Soukup
There are less then two people per square kilometer in Mongolia, and the country’s territory is shared between the Gobi Desert, cold mountains and windswept steppes.
Such an inhospitable place hardly seems fit for human to live in, and yet Mongolia is still home to some of the last nomadic peoples on the planet. And although these vast and fascinating landscapes are the best known features of Mongolia, the Mongolia of present times is a somewhat different story.
The capital, Ulan Bator, is arguably one of the drabbest cities in Asia, and yet it is also one of the most welcoming, hospitable and heartwarming places on the continent. With all its contrasts and contradictions, Mongolia is a thoroughly interesting place with countless attractions – so here are 5 amazing sights in Mongolia to whet your appetite.
Erdene Zuu Monastery, Kharkhorin
In all likelihood, Erdene Zuu is the oldest surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, and one of the few that have survived the destruction of temples and religious sites by communists in the 30’s. Although only parts of the monastery remained intact, it functioned as a museum until the fall of the communist regime, after which it was turned over to lamas and became an active monastery again. Of the over 60 temples originally built, only a few remain today.
The ruins of Karakorum
Lake Khövsgöl, photo by lamoix on Flickr
Karakorum was the capital of the mighty Mongol Empire in the 13th century, and then of the Northern Yuan Dynasty for the following two centuries, but little is left of it now.
These ruins near Erdene Zuu Monastery lay undiscovered for centuries, and they were brought to light only in the 1930’s. Despite the fact that only some paved roads, adobe buildings, kilns and floor heating systems remain, the ruins have a huge symbolic importance in Mongolia and they are quite popular among foreign and local tourists.
Lake Khövsgöl
Lake Khövsgöl is often called the blue pearl of Mongolia, and it has some of the purest water on the planet. The lake is ancient, incredibly clean, and the most important drinking water reserve of Mongolia, along with being a hotspot for many different species of animals.
Ibex, elks and even brown bears can often be seen in the area, and the surrounding mountains are home to many other animals common in the country. Thanks to its rich wildlife and natural beauty, the lake is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country.
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travel search by Travelgrove (get this widget)Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park
photo by Einar Fredriksen
If you want to see the side of Mongolia that most often appears on postcard pictures, then head to Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park to see these landscapes firsthand.
The park is on the northern edge of the Gobi Desert, and it includes the Gurvan Saikhan, the Three Beauties. This is the place where you can see Gobi camels, snow leopards and rare plants, as well as the famous Khongoryn Els sand dunes or the ice fields in Yolyn Am valley.
Open Copper Mine, Erdenet
The open copper mine near Erdenet is one of those quaint attractions that cannot be called beautiful, but are nonetheless fascinating. This is the largest copper mine in Asia, and among the top ten in the world, as well as a giant that gobbles up 50% of Mongolia’s electricity, while producing 40% of its copper earnings. This desolate and somewhat sad place can be explored without a guide, as long as you have your passport with you.
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