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Inner Mongolia Travel Guide — How to Plan a Trip

Inner Mongolia lies in central North China. Its geographical position has granted Inner Mongolia a richness of travel destinations that attract a large number of visitors to see its spectacular natural scenery of grasslands, deserts, lakes, and forests, the rich legacy of Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire, and the ethnic culture of nomadic herders.

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• Features of Inner Mongolia
• Top Reasons to Visit
• Best Time to Visit
• Top Things to Do in Inner Mongolia
• Naadam Grassland Festival
• Inner Mongolia and (Outer) Mongolia

How to Plan an Inner Mongolia Tour

Where to stay in inner mongolia.

• Recommended Inner Mongolia Tour

Inner Mongolia Travel Tips

• Inner Mongolia Attractions Map

The Features of Inner Mongolia

Inner Mongolia was the first region in China to achieve the status of an autonomous ethnic region .

Covering an area of 1.18 million square kilometers (455,000 square miles), it is the third-largest province and borders both Russia and Mongolia (Outer Mongolia).

With Hohhot as its capital city, Inner Mongolia is also the widest region in China with a total distance of more than 2,500 kilometers (1,500 miles) from east to west, and it has an average elevation of over 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) above sea level.

Top Reasons to Visit Inner Mongolia

• Inner Mongolia is fascinating for its unique natural landscapes : grasslands, deserts, forests, and lakes.
• Inner Mongolia has a long history, and it is also the birthplace of Genghis Khan .
• Inner Mongolia is the place where you can experience the ethnic culture and traditional festivals of the Mongols .

Cannot wait to visit Inner Mongolia? Contact our Inner Mongolia expert for a customized tour.

• 5-Day Grassland and Desert Tour with Nomadic Life Experience
• 8-Day Hohhot–Ordos Tour with Hiking, Camping, and Culture

Inner Mongolia Weather — the Best Time to Visit

The climate of Inner Mongolia is cool, dry, temperate, and continental due to its high elevation and distance from the ocean. It has four distinct seasons.

Spring (April to June) is windy and temperatures can rise unexpectedly.

Summer (July to August) is warm and short, with most of Inner Mongolia's modest rainfall. The hottest month is always July with average daily highs of 30°C (86°F).

Temperatures in autumn (September to October) drop sharply with frosts.

Winter (November to March) is long and freezing cold with the average daily temperatures ranging from -12°C to -1°C (12–33°F). Its extreme minimum temperature, found in the coldest village in China, is around -50°C (-58°F).

In general, the best time to tour Inner Mongolia is from July to September when the temperature is most comfortable. The grasslands are green during this time and it is also the best time to take a desert hiking tour. Besides, the Naadam Grassland Festival is held in summer.

More on Inner Mongolia Weather >>>

The Naadam Grassland Festival

Naadam Grassland Festival is the biggest annual traditional Mongolian celebration that is held in summer when the grass is green, and the livestock are strong.

The festival's full name is Eriyn Gurvan Naadam (naadam means 'entertainment' in Mongolian) or 'Three Manly Games', which are horse racing , archery , and wrestling .

Besides rousing sports, you can also experience the folk music and dancing and try traditional Mongolian food .

More on Naadam Grassland Festival >>>

4 Top Things to Do in Inner Mongolia

1. enjoy vast photogenic deserts.

Vast expanses of desert that extend throughout Inner Mongolia. Some of the famous deserts include the Gobi Desert, Badanjilin Desert, Tenger Desert, and Resonant Sand Bay (Xiangsha Wan).

Populus Euphratica Forest in Ejina, cannot be missed if you visit Badanjilin Desert in October. From early to mid- October, the leaves turn yellow and the whole forest looks like a golden fairytale world.

• 5-Day Xilamuren Grassland and Kubuqi Desert Tour
• 6-Day Kubuqi Desert Tour with Hiking and Camping

2. Appreciate the Diamond-Like Lakes

Inner Mongolia also has famous freshwater lakes in the northeast, such as the greenish Hulun Lake and Lake Buir . From November to March, you may have a chance to watch ice fishing.

3. Be a Nomad in the Expansive Grasslands

There are large areas of grassland all over the province.

The Hulunbuir Grasslands in the northeast are among the best in China, while the Xilamuren Grassland and Huitengxile Grassland are more popular among visitors due to their convenient location from Hohhot.

• 5-Day Xilamuren Grassland Tour with Nomadic Life Experience
• 8-Day Hohhot–Ordos Tour with Mongolian Culture

4. Experience the Brilliant Culture

Inner Mongolia has a long history and brilliant culture . There are many historical attractions, such as Dazhao Lamasery, Zhaojun Tomb, Wudangzhao Monastery, and the Genghis Khan Mausoleum.

More on Top Things to Do in Inner Mongolia >>>

Getting to Inner Mongolia by Air

Currently, Inner Mongolia has around 10 airports connecting with major cities of China like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, etc. Among them, the airports in Hohhot, Baotou, Ordos, Hailar, and Manzhouli are frequently used.

International flights to Ulan Bator of Mongolia and Chita of Russia are available from Hohhot and Baotou.

Getting to Inner Mongolia by Train

Bullet trains from Beijing take only 2½ hours to Hohhot and 4 hours to Baotou, making travel to Inner Mongolia very convenient. More on Inner Mongolia Train Schedules >>>

Getting around Inner Mongolia

The cities of Wulanchabu, Hohhot, and Baotou are connected by bullet trains .

Direct flights are available between the major tourist cities of Inner Mongolia. For traveling from the west (deserts) to the north (grasslands and lakes) of Inner Mongolia, it is wise to take intra-provincial flights.

For traveling in central Inner Mongolia (Hohhot–Baotou–Ordos), a private transfer is recommended as major sightseeing opportunities abound along the way. Contact us if you are looking for tour services for this golden triangle route.

The most popular tourist cities in Inner Mongolia are:

You will have plenty of choices of hotels in the popular tourist cities of Hohhot, from international brands to local-standard ones.

To experience the traditional life of the nomads, Mongolian yurts are available if you travel to the grasslands.

Hotel room availability is rather tight in summer and during festival periods. It is wise to book rooms in advance .

We are happy to recommend the most suitable hotels for your worry-free stay in Inner Mongolia. All you need to do is to tell us your hotel preferences.

Recommended Inner Mongolia Tour Plan:

Day 1: Arrival in Hohhot

We will arrange a private airport/station to hotel transfer for you.

Day 2: Grassland Experience

Explore the Xilamuren Grassland, and stay overnight in a yurt on the grassland.

Day 3: History and Cultural Experience in Hohhot

Visit Dazhao Lamasery and admire the silver Buddha statue. Tour Inner Mongolia Museum for the history and ethnic culture of Inner Mongolia and its extensive collection of massive dinosaurs, mastodon, and other fossilized remains from the Mesozoic period.

Day 4: Desert Fun

Travel from Hohhot to Ordos to explore Resonant Sand Bay with camel riding and other entertainments in the desert.

Day 5: A Touch of Genghis Khan

Take a visit to Genghis Khan's Mausoleum and learn more about his legend. Then depart from Ordos.

More on 5-Day Xilamuren Grassland and Kubuqi Desert Tour >>>

If you are not interested in this itinerary, please tell us your interests and requirements and we will tailor-make an Inner Mongolian tour based on your own preferences.

• The temperature difference is large between morning and evening in the grasslands. Please bring warm coats, trousers, and walking boots.
• Inner Mongolia is at a high elevation and ultraviolet rays are strong there, so please bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunblock with you.
• Inner Mongolian food often tastes salty, oily, and not very spicy. The stable foods there are beef, mutton, and noodles.
• It is traditional for Mongols to serve guests with liquor and by presenting a hada (a ceremonial scarf), which is a way to express their respect towards guests. Guests should take the bowl of liquor quickly. It is rude to reject the liquor. However, if you are not good at drinking, it is okay to just take a sip. Drinking the liquor means you accept the pure kindness of the host.

Inner Mongolia Attractions Map Inner Mongolia and (Outer) Mongolia

What is the difference between inner mongolia and mongolia.

The answer is quite simple politically: Inner Mongolia is a province of China while Mongolia is another country , though ethnically and linguistically they are both Mongolian areas.

The official name of Inner Mongolian is Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, which is equal in status to a province of China. The capital city is Hohhot.

Mongolia is always referred to as Outer Mongolia in China and is sandwiched between China and Russia. The capital is Ulaanbaatar.

The History of the Mongols

The Mongol people are one of the minority groups in China and the main ethnic group of Outer Mongolia. The Mongol people were nomadic tribes in ancient China times . They hunted and grazed on the vast Mongolian grasslands.

When the people in this region were under the cruel reign of the Jin Dynasty (1115–1234), they were devastated by frequent warfare between different tribes and hungered for a unified and peaceful life. Although a cruel leader, Genghis Khan did end the tribal fighting, unified the Mongols, and conquered many countries, including much of China, to create the Mongol Empire. At this time, China entered into a new era of foreign control, the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368), with Beijing as its capital city.

In 1368, the Yuan Dynasty was overthrown by the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), and the Mongolians retreated to the Mongolian Plateau. After conquering the Ming Dynasty, the Manchurian Qing Dynasty (1644–1912), with the help of the subordinate Mongolians, reunited the whole Mongolian region and China under one rule .

Why is Inner Mongolia part of China, but not Mongolia?

Both Inner Mongolia and (Outer) Mongolia once belonged to China. So why and how did Mongolia separate from China? There are two main reasons.

1. The Weakened State of China

During the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912), China was a huge empire under foreign (Manchu) rule. It took a lot of energy and financial resources to manage and defend such a large area land including remote Mongolia. After the Opium Wars (1860), the Qing Dynasty was in debt and also had to contend with civil unrest and external pressures, mainly from Russia and Japan.

By the end of the Qing Dynasty, China's control over Mongolia had weakened and the desire for independence in Mongolia was also very great. Finally, taking advantage of the collapse of the Qing government and the fact that a new government had not yet been established, Khanate-controlled Outer Mongolia was able to separate in 1911.

2. The Strength of Russia and Revival of China

As the Qing Dynasty waned, Russia became very powerful, and it was with the help/control of Russia that Outer Mongolia declared its independence in 1911 and maintained it.

During the Interwar Period, Republic of China forces were defeated in Outer and Inner Mongolia, and the west of Inner Mongolia also came under the control of Russia while Japan took control of its east.

After World War II , Japan and Russia were ousted from Inner Mongolia and it returned to Chinese control. In 1949, the People's Republic of China and the Soviet Union agreed that (Outer) Mongolia would maintain its independence, and so it has.

• 8-Day Hohhot–Ordos Tour with Mongolian History and Culture

Touring Inner Mongolia with China Highlights

Being the third largest province of China with abundant travel opportunities, you might wonder where to start, what to include in your limited stay, or how to plan a fulfilling exploration of Inner Mongolia. We are ready to provide a unique and customized solution for you.

Here are our most popular Inner Mongolia tours for inspiration:

• 5-Day Inner Mongolia Grass & Sand with Nomadic Life Experience
• 6-Day Inner Mongolia Wild Heartlands with Hiking and Camping

You deserve a tailor-made Inner Mongolia tour !

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Mongolia is an almost total mystery to the outside world, its very name synonymous with remoteness. Landlocked between the two Asian giants of Russia and China, it seemed to have been doomed to obscurity, trapped in a hopeless environment of fleeting summers and interminable, bitter winters. And yet, 700 years ago the people of this benighted land suddenly burst out of their frontiers, and for a century subjugated and terrorized almost all of the Eurasian landmass.

Brief history

Genghis khan’s mausoleum, staying in a yurt.

Visitors to the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region will not necessarily find many signs of this today. The modern-day heirs of the Mongol hordes are not only placid – quietly going about their business of shepherding, herding horses and entertaining tourists – but, even here, are vastly outnumbered by the Han Chinese (by almost nineteen million to fewer than four million). In addition, this is, and always has been, a sensitive border area, and there are still restrictions on the movements of tourists in some places.

Nevertheless, traces of the “real” Mongolia remain, in terms of both landscape and people – and not just the Mongol script, used alongside Chinese throughout the province. Dotting the region are enormous areas of grassland, gently undulating plains stretching to the horizon and still used by nomadic peoples as pastureland for their horses. Tourists are able to visit the grasslands and even stay with the Mongols in their yurts, though the only simple way to do this is on an organized tour out of the regional capital Hohhot – an experience rather short on authenticity. If you don’t find what you are looking for in the Hohhot area, however, a whole vast swath of Mongol territory lies across the border in Dongbei province, much of it untouched by Western tourists – see To Russia on the Trans-Manchurian.

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One man’s name is synonymous with unleashing Mongol armies on an unsuspecting world: the great Genghis Khan (1162–1227), under whose rule much of China and pretty much the whole of Central Asia were conquered. After his immediate successors had wrested control of Eastern Europe, Mongol forces were poised in 1241 to make the relatively short final push across Europe, when a message came from deep inside Asia that the invasion was to be cancelled. The decision to spare Western Europe cleared the way for the final conquest of China instead.

The Yuan dynasty

By 1271 the Mongols had established their own dynasty in China – the Yuan. It was the first time the country had come under foreign rule, and the Yuan is still an era about which Chinese historians can find little good to say, though the empire was expanded considerably by incorporating Yunnan and Tibet for the first time. The magnificent zenith of the dynasty was achieved under Kublai Khan, as documented in Marco Polo’s Travels. Ironically, however, the Mongols were able to sustain their power only by becoming Sinicised, and abandoning the traditional nomadic Mongol way of life. Kublai Khan and his court soon forgot the warrior skills of their forefathers, and in 1368, after less than a century on the imperial throne, the Yuan were driven out of China by the rising Ming dynasty. The Mongols returned to Mongolia, and reverted to their former ways, hunting, fighting among themselves and occasionally skirmishing with the Chinese down by the Wall.

Post-Khan decline

Thereafter, Mongolian history moves gradually downhill, though right into the eighteenth century they maintained at least nominal control over many of the lands won by Genghis Khan. These included Tibet, from where Lamaist Buddhism was imported to become the dominant religion in Mongolia. Over the years, as well, came settlers from other parts of Asia: there is now a sizeable Muslim minority in the region, and under the Qing many Chinese settlers moved in too, escaping overpopulation and famine at home, a trend that has continued under the Communists. The incoming settlers tried ploughing up the grassland with disastrous ecological results – wind and water swept the soil away – and the Mongols withdrew to the hills. Only recently has a serious programme of land stabilization and reclamation been established.

Recent history

Sandwiched between two imperial powers, Mongolia found its independence constantly threatened. The Russians set up a protectorate over the north, while the rest effectively came under the control of China. In the 1930s, Japan occupied much of eastern Inner Mongolia as part of Manchukno, and the Chinese Communists also maintained a strong presence. In 1945 Stalin persuaded Chiang Kai-shek to recognize the independence of Outer Mongolia under Soviet protection as part of the Sino-Soviet anti-Japanese treaty, effectively sealing the fate of what then became the Mongolian People’s Republic. In 1947, Inner Mongolia was designated the first autonomous region of the People’s Republic of China.

Inner Mongolia’s biggest and bleakest city, BAOTOU’s primary significance is as the chief iron- and steel-producing centre in China: if you’re arriving at night from the direction of Yinchuan, your first glimpse of the city is likely to be of satanic fires burning in the great blast furnaces, and the sky over the western half of Baotou glows a more or less permanent yellow, orange and purple. For visitors, there can be something magnificent about Soviet ugliness on such a scale, but otherwise, apart from providing a springboard to a few distant sights – including Wudangzhao, an attractive Tibetan-style monastery, and what is possibly Genghis Khan’s Mausoleum – Baotou has nothing to offer.

The first thing to be said about Genghis Khan’s Mausoleum – located around 150km south of Baotou – is that it’s not all it’s cracked up to be: it probably isn’t the tomb of Genghis Khan, and it isn’t a particularly attractive place anyway, but nonetheless it provides a fascinating insight into the modern cult of the famous warrior. There are no English captions for the exhibits.

Special sacrificial ceremonies take place here four times a year on certain days of the lunar calendar – the fifteenth day of the third lunar month, the fifteenth day of the fifth lunar month, the twelfth day of the ninth month and the third day of the tenth month. On these occasions, Mongolian monks lead solemn rituals that involve piling up cooked sheep before the statue of the khan. The ceremonies are attended not only by local people, but also by pilgrims from the Republic of Mongolia itself.

Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan (1162–1227) was born, ominously enough, with a clot of blood in his hand. Under his leadership, the Mongols erupted from their homeland to ravage the whole of Asia, butchering millions, razing cities and laying waste to all the land from China to eastern Europe. It was his proud boast that his destruction of cities was so complete that he could ride across their ruins by night without the least fear of his horse stumbling.

Even before Genghis exploded onto the scene, the nomadic Mongols had long been a thorn in the side of the city-dwelling Chinese. Construction of the Great Wall had been undertaken to keep these two fundamentally opposed societies apart. But it was always fortunate for the Chinese that the early nomadic tribes of Mongolia fought as much among themselves as they did against outsiders. Genghis Khan’s achievement was to weld together the warring nomads into a fighting force the equal of which the world had never seen: the secret of his success was skilful cavalry tactics, acquired from long practice in the saddle on the wide-open Mongolian plains. Frequently his armies would rout forces ten or twenty times their size.

Led by Genghis, the Mongols unleashed a massive onslaught on China in 1211. The Great Wall proved no obstacle, and with two hundred thousand men in tow Genghis cut a swath across northwest China towards Beijing. It was not all easy progress, however – so great was the destruction wrought in northern China that famine and plague broke out, afflicting the invader as much as the invaded. Genghis Khan himself died (of injuries sustained in falling from his horse) before the capture of China had been completed. His body was carried back to Mongolia by a funeral cortege of ten thousand, who murdered every man and beast within 16km of the road so that news of the Great Khan’s death could not be reported before his sons and viceroys had been gathered from the farthest corners of his dominions. The whereabouts of his tomb is uncertain, though according to one of the best-known stories his ashes are in the mausoleum outside Dongsheng.

Although it’s now a large city, with a majority Han population, HOHHOT manages to present an interesting blend of the old and the new: as well as the shiny modern banks and department stores downtown, most of the historic buildings are crowded into the interesting – though fast-disappearing – old southwestern part of the city, where you can enjoyably spend half a day simply ambling around. Fittingly, Hohhot is a relatively green and leafy place in summer – the town’s Mongolian name means “green city”.

Naadam in Hohhot

Summer is a good time to be in Hohhot, coinciding as it does with Mongolia’s famed Naadam festival. Shows of horsemanship, wrestling and other games take place at the gigantic Inner Mongolia horse racecourse, 2km north of the train station; built in the shape of two circular Mongolian yurts, adjacent and connected to each other to form the elongated shape of a stadium, it’s the biggest racecourse in China by far. The dates vary, but Naadam usually falls between late July and early August. Outside the holiday, displays of Mongolian riding and dancing sometimes take place here too.

Touring the grasslands

Mongolia isn’t all one giant steppe, but three areas in the vicinity of Hohhot are certainly large enough to give the illusion of endlessness. These are Xilamuren (希拉穆仁草原, xīlāmùrén căoyuán), which begins 80km north of Hohhot; Gegentala (格根塔拉草原, gégēntălā căoyuán), 70km further north; and Huitengxile (辉腾锡勒草原, huīténgxīlè căoyuán), 120km northeast of Hohhot. It’s hard to differentiate between them, except that Xilamuren – the only one of the three that can feasibly be reached independently – is probably the most visited and Gegentala the least. Bear in mind that your grassland experience in the immediate area of the regional capital is likely to be a rather packaged affair, and a visit to a grassland in another, remoter part of the region (such as Hailar) may well give you a more authentic flavour of Mongolia.

Most people visit by taking one of the grassland tours, which Westerners rarely enjoy but East Asian tourists seem to love – or at least put up with in good humour. The tours all follow the same pattern, with visitors based at a site comprising a number of yurts, plus a dining hall, kitchen and very primitive toilets. The larger sites, at Xilamuren, are the size of small villages. Transport, meals and accommodation are all included in the price, as are various unconvincing “Mongolian entertainments” – wrestling and horseriding in particular – and visits to typical Mongol families in traditional dress. Only the food is consistently good, though watch out for the local firewater, baijiu, which you’re more or less forced to drink when your Mongolian hosts bring silver bowls of the stuff round to every table during the evening banquet. The banquet is followed by a fairly degenerate evening of drinking, dancing and singing.

If you accept the idea that you are going on a tour of the grasslands to participate in a bizarre social experience, then you’ll get much more out of it. Besides, it is perfectly possible to escape from your group by hiring your own horse, or heading off for a hike. If your stay happens to coincide with a bright moon, you could be in for the most hauntingly beautiful experience of your life.

Practicalities

A two-day tour (with one night in a yurt) is definitely enough – in a group of four or five people, this should come to around ¥450 each. Some travel services can tack smaller parties onto existing groups. Bear in mind that you may find yourself sleeping crushed into a small yurt with six others who don’t speak your language, and that the tour may not be in English, even if you’ve requested that it should be.

Travelling independently to the Xilamuren grassland can work out a good deal cheaper than taking a tour. Store your luggage at your hotel in Hohhot, and catch a bus from the long-distance bus station (90min; ¥20); these set down adjacent to the grassland. When you get off you will be accosted by people offering to take you to their yurts – try to negotiate an all-inclusive daily rate of about ¥80 per person, for food and accommodation, before you accept any offer. You aren’t exactly in the wilderness here, but you can wander off into the grass and soon find it. Return buses to Hohhot run regularly throughout the day, though if they’re already full they won’t even pass through town. If this occurs (which it often does), enterprising taxi drivers will take carfuls of people to the scruffy mid-point town of Wuchuan (武川, wŭchuān), then buy your onward ticket and pop you on the bus for Hohhot – meaning that you don’t usually spend any more than you would have done for the direct bus.

In regions that still harbour semi-nomadic herders, such as Inner Mongolia’s grasslands and around Tian Chi in Xinjiang, it’s often possible to ask a local family to put you up in their yurt (蒙古包, ménggǔ bāo). The genuine article is a circular felt tent with floor rugs as the only furniture, horsehair blankets, a stove for warmth, and outside toilets. Though it’s a well-established custom to offer lodging to travellers, remember that few people in these regions have had much contact with foreigners, and misunderstandings can easily arise. You’ll need to haggle over the price with your hosts; around ¥80 should cover bed and simple meals of noodles and vegetables. In addition, it’s a good idea to bring a present – a bottle of baijiu, a clear and powerful vodka-like spirit, rarely goes amiss. Liquor stores, ubiquitous in Chinese cities and towns, are the obvious place to buy the stuff, but you’ll also find it on sale at train and bus stations, restaurants, hotels, shops and airports. You might also want to bring a torch and bug spray for your own comfort.

Local tour companies may be able to arrange yurt accommodation, though where Chinese tour groups are commonplace, you may be treated to a very artificial experience – often basically just a concrete cell “dolled” up in yurt fashion, with karaoke laid on in the evenings. If you want something better than this, it’s worth at least asking to see photos of the interior when making a booking.

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written by Andy Turner

updated 26.04.2021

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Inner Mongolia

Mongolia. The name alone stirs up visions of nomadic herders, thundering horses and, of course, the warrior-emperor Genghis Khaan.

Attractions

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Genghis Khan Mausoleum

Located 130km south of Baotou in the middle of nowhere is the Genghis Khan Mausoleum, China’s tribute to the great Mongol warlord. Unfortunately, old…

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This is How to Travel to Mongolia – Overlanding the Least Densely Populated Country in the World

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Want to get to somewhere lesser-known and travel differently? This Mongolia travel guide shows how to go overlanding in the world’s least densely populated country.

Travel to Mongolia means tackling a land of extremes. Both in the landscape, from its vast desert lands and towering dunes to its lush green mountainous national parks, and in its lack of infrastructure, where you become just as frustrated as you are in awe by the country’s areas of extreme isolation.

Visiting Mongolia is to find a canvas of rugged beauty capped by a sky so blue that pollution isn’t even a word that exists here. Passing only wild horses, herds of cattle, an isolated ger in the distance, and the odd truck also on its way to the city, life here is at its purest and most beautiful.

Outside of its unkempt capital, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia exists with limited facilities, but that’s what makes it attractive. On the road, it can take hours of driving before you pass a small ger community, a Mongolian on horseback or another vehicle, and in between blessed with the most stunning views of a country so desolate that you know you’ve reached the real heart of it.

Overlanding through Mongolia, rather than flying or taking the train, is one of the best decisions I have ever made. This guide will show you how to travel Mongolia from China by land, in a vast loop that takes in some of the country’s most treasured hotspots and wilderness hideaways.  

Visit the Least Densely Populated Country in the World

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Mongolia travel changes you and makes you appreciate the beautiful patches on the earth’s surface not ruined by extreme modernisation, pollution and overpopulation.

My time in Mongolia meant experiencing everything from bush camping to ger camps, being at one with nature (and not care who sees you squatting in the process) and realising that animals like to roam and Mongolians love to chat – right outside your Ger from 5 am.

I saw a night sky so clear that I didn’t think you could ever see so many stars. I traversed a land so serene in isolation and culture so welcoming that I hope it never, ever becomes ruined by tourist traps or the tight grips of mass capitalism (currently contained to Ulaanbaatar).

Wild horses in the vast Mongolian landscape

If you want to get off the beaten track, not be on any set grid and take each day as it comes, you will love Mongolia. But this also comes with its frustrations where you need droves of patience and a good chunk of travel time to spare.

There are hardly any roads. Roads are dirt tracks or pre-made grooves in the land pointing the way, and paved highroads are very few and far between.

Mongolia is prone to unpredictable weather conditions. That means random onslaughts of rain and the likelihood that you are likely to get bogged at some point. There were countless numbers of times where we had to dig out and push the truck or find locals to come to the rescue – tractors are a saving grace here.

It’s a vast country that you could get lost in for weeks on end, and when you accept the setbacks, you start to see them as part of the big adventure – travel at its most raw. Back to basics, getting dirty and struggling with the lack of modern amenities we too often take for granted is part of what travelling in Mongolia is all about.

The Overlanding vehicle used to travel to Mongolia and around.

The summer season between May to September is said to be the best time to go to Mongolia. July and August are the hottest months, with temperatures in the Gobi Desert reaching 40°C. Rainfall is at its highest between June and September, balancing out the heat while keeping the forest and valley lands, in particular, lush and fertile. I travelled to Mongolia in July and experienced a lot of rainfall alongside high temperatures. 

Mongolia’s winter season is from November to February. While some people like to experience the landscape in this snowy season, temperatures can drop to below minus 20°C – a harsh and challenging environment to travel in. You’ll find that not many companies run tours during this time.  

Is it Safe to Travel to Mongolia Safe?

While petty crime and pickpocketing are common in the capital, Ulaanbataar, Mongolia is a relatively safe place to travel, and I never encountered any significant problems. It pays to be more streetwise and alert in the city, as you would in any other. As the landing and departure point for tourists, opportunism poses a higher risk. 

Despite the lack of infrastructure and the relative isolation when travelling through the country, the only minor issue we encountered was related to the high levels of alcoholism in the country. We saw drunk drivers on our long drives and an occasion or two when inebriated locals came to our makeshift camp out of curiosity. Even then, it never felt threatening, and we were always within the safety of our group.  

On the whole, we rarely saw other people, and when we did, we were met with kindness, invited into homes and welcomed into common spaces such as markets and small-town social spaces. 

I also travelled alongside a Mongolian guide – someone who could speak the language when we got stuck, who could walk to a nearby home and explain the need for assistance and who understood the land’s general navigation. Therefore, in Mongolia, it pays to get yourself a local guide, join a small group tour, formulate a small group of your own in Ulaanbataar or be equipped with general wilderness survival skills if going out there entirely on your own. 

Mongolia Tours

When I was planning my trip to Mongolia, Dragoman was the only company offering Mongolia tours that lasted from ten days to two weeks. The 21-day overland journey was the first trip itinerary of its kind they were running here, which included Inner Mongolia. Today the 21-day trip, called Nomads & Wilds of Mongolia, is on a loop from Ulaanbaatar and includes Khovsgol Lake in the north. Although Dragoman suspended operations during the pandemic, they are back in 2024. 

Adventure travel experts G Adventures, offer Mongolia tours that all start and end in Ulaanbaatar. 

A 14-day trip, including all the highlights at an affordable price (from €1999), this Mongolia trip includes a Gobi Desert and Mongolian Grasslands stay, alongside packing in the major historical must-sees and cultural experiences that make Mongolia an unforgettable adventure. 

This 10-day local living trip includes staying with three different families in Gers to experience life as a nomad. Mix historical monuments with cultural moments, exploring pastures, forests, lakes and national parks by foot and horseback while helping your host families prepare traditional dinners and learn the skills of their nomadic trades. 

G Adventures, in partnership with National Geographic Journeys, offers a   two-week comfort adventure through Mongolia . You get to visit   Khustai National Park,   Karakorum (the ancient capital of Mongolia),   Tsenkher Hot Springs, the Orkhon Valley and more. You will also   see a nomadic camel-herding family and dive deeper into Mongolia’s culture, as well as support the local community where tourists pass through. 

Want to experience the Naadam Festival’s horseracing, archery and wrestling tournaments? This mini adventure takes you to it and throws you right into the buzz of traditional Mongolian festivities. 

Mongolia is expensive to travel in and around due to the very nature that it is not overly touristic. Due to the lack of infrastructure, a tour with a local guide and appropriate transport can often be necessary to cover more ground.

• You will need to budget between $2400-$3600 for an extensive trip around the country.
• An average meal (if not making your own on the trip) costs around $5.
• Entrance fees to historic sites and museums average around $2 per ticket. 

For those on a budget, day trips can be taken from Ulaanbaatar, or you can try and plan some shorter 3-5 day trips from the city. However, this can often depend on having a minimum amount of people signed up for the trip to run and isn’t always guaranteed. 

Do you need a Visa for Mongolia?

If you are not a national of one of the visa-exempt countries listed below, you will need a Mongolia visa.

• A single-entry visa (valid for three months from the date of issue) for up to 30 days – £40/$50
• A double-entry visa (valid for three months from the date of issue) for up to 30 days – £55/$65

It is cheaper to apply directly at a Mongolian Embassy (either at home before you leave or in the country you are travelling in prior). You will need a valid passport, passport photos and supporting trip documents alongside a completed application. 

Allow one working week for processing. Some Embassies provide a one-day service for an extra charge.  

A 30-day tourist visa on arrival is available for tourists coming from European and other countries where there are no Mongolian Embassies present, obtained at Ulanbataar Airport or the Mongolian land borders. I got my visa in London months before my trip.  

The following countries are granted visa-free entry to Mongolia. 

Visa-free entry for 90 days: Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, Chile, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, United States (US). Those from Ukraine require a form of invitation. 

Visa-free entry for 30 days: Canada, Cuba, Germany, Israel, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, Turkey, Thailand, Uruguay. 

Visa-free entry for 21 days: Philippines.

Visa-free entry for 14 days: Hong Kong.

You can find further information on the Embassy of Mongolia website . 

Where to Go in Mongolia – Itinerary

I spent 20 days Overlanding in and across the central and western Mongolian plains. We travelled in a big clockwise circle from Ulaanbaatar, through the scorching Gobi Desert to beautiful lakes, forests, canyons and waterfalls, all the while passing vast herds of wild horses, camels, goats, yaks and cows.

Overlanding in Mongolia for Three Weeks:

Kilometres travelled:  2492

Number of significant times the truck got stuck:  2

Number of minor times the truck got stuck:  12

Number of incredible driving days:  15

We spent a full day in Ulaanbaatar exploring outside of the stark Soviet communist-style architecture and moving past the city’s general dodgy feeling. There’s plenty to see and do here, including a walk through the modern Sukhbaatar (Parliament) Square, the Gandan Monastery, the National History Museum and the shopping paradise of the Black Market . In the evening, check out the singing, dancing and contortion talent at the Cultural Show before hitting a few bars and pubs. There’s so many you won’t know where to start.

Gandan Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

The golden feet outside the Gandan Monastery Ulaanbaatar

We set off in the truck from Ulaanbaatar to drive to the Baga Gazryn Chuluu rock formations in the Gobi desert. Due to heavy traffic when getting out of the city and general road conditions we got delayed and so decided to set up bush camp for the evening. Be prepared for delays in Mongolia but delight in being the only people in the area. All the space is yours.

We got to Baga Gazryn Chuluu – rock formations worshipped by locals who make pilgrimages here partly because legend states that Ghengis Khan camped here – before journeying to the Gobi Desert.

Layers of Baga Gazryn Chuluu rock formations in Mongolia

A hike to Baga Gazryn Chuluu as part of a Mongolia travel itinerary

On the way, we got to experience the famous Nadaam Festival when we passed through the local town of Mandal Govi . It was full of wrestling, horse racing, archery and fairground style fun. Nadaam means ‘games’, and the buzz was all around us as the only Westerners there. It was great to be a part of a traditional Mongolian community celebration, even if the afternoon was marred by a bogging, which resulted in the truck not being released from the soft mud until midnight.

Watching the wrestling at the Nadaam Festival in Mongolia

Mongolian locals enjoy the Nadaam Festival.

The plan was to get to our first ger camp, but after approximately 30 kilometres, we encountered a large ditch of water on the road. It resulted in us having to drain the water by hand and build a road and a dam for most of the afternoon to help us get across. Although this sounds horrendous, it created a great sense of camaraderie and, ultimately, an immense sense of achievement. We got to camp on a high point of the Gobi Desert instead near the town of Tsogoovi .

A Ger Camp on a hilltop in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia

We began our journey without a hitch to the ger Camp called Gobi Discovery, stopping at the town of Dalanzagad on the way. Mongolian towns are typically tiny and compact settlements that are reasonably large but without the ruin of a city like Ulaanbaatar.

Market time in the town of Dalanzagad, Mongolia

We hiked in Yolin Am , a beautiful canyon in the Gobi, an ice valley, which hosts a colossal glacier all year round. The hike was spectacular, but, unfortunately for us, little of the iceberg remained, although we had lots of fun playing with what little ice there was regardless.

Hike or horseback in the Yolin Am Valley in Mongolia

Many sandy riverbed crossings eventually led us to our second Ger camp, Khongoryn Els Ger Camp. Here, you only have to open your ger door to be greeted with a breathtaking view of the Gobi and the Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes , which I later climbed, drank beer on and ran down. That was after a camel ride, of course.

The glorious Gobi Desert Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes

Bumpy mountain roads took us to the spectacular Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs , which are a Mongolian version of the Grand Canyon, but smaller. It’s a significant site that unearthed many dinosaur fossils and eggs, and it is also a stunning backdrop for bush camping.

The blazing ochre colours of Mongolia’s Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs

Marvel the mars-like landscape of Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs when you travel to Mongolia

When the communists invaded Mongolia in the 1930s (known as the Purges), nearly all Monasteries were destroyed. Ongii Monastery was one of them, and we visited the ruins here before driving to Arvaikheer, where heavy rain forced us into a hotel for the night. At times, random bad weather makes bush camping in Mongolia impossible, so it is essential to prepare for a budget recount at any given time.

The site of the Ongii Monastery in Mongolia

The scattered stone ruins of Ongii Monastery in Mongolia

We began our journey to the third ger camp but got badly bogged around midday after the truck had to swerve slightly, of course, to miss a drunk driver who came in our path (sadly, a lot of people drink and drive here). It took over five hours to get out, with the help of a small local tractor, and during that time, a few of us who remained to help with the truck (local jeeps rescued a few) lost our minds. It was a hilarious few hours that would have made an excellent documentary, probably how a Lord of the Flies scenario starts.

Tractors help pull the Overlanding truck out of the sticky mud in Mongolia’s rural landscape.

The roads were not rigid and stable enough for the truck to continue, especially with all the hills. After setting up tents and cooking dinner, two small vans came to the rescue to take us on our two-hour journey to the Ger Camp. It was a scary ride in the dark, where we stopped at the driver’s backyard and where a small boy jumped into the hold of the van for the rest of the journey. 

I highly recommend staying in a ger camp in the beautiful Orkhon Valley . There’s nothing like a pleasant hike through the beautiful forest to reach the Tuvkhon Monastery and see the surrounding area. Pure bliss.

The lush green leading to the soft peaks in the Orkhon Valley Mongolia

A rest stop in the scenic Orkhon Valley landscape

Hiking the forest trails of Mongolia’s Orkhon Valley

The rocky plateau that surrounds the Tövkhön Monastery in Mongolia

The colourful entrance to the Tövkhön Monastery

The Orkhon Valley waterfall was the next stop on our five-hour drive to the next ger camp. This camp plays host to the famous hot springs in the region, where we went skinny dipping and enjoyed a few refreshing beers. 

A Mongolian man sits in a chair peacefully enjoying the backdrop of the Orkhon Valley Waterfalls in Mongolia.

Fully clothed, of course, we took a short hike through the lush green forest to visit the source of the hot springs. When you come across your first sighting of trees after two weeks of barren land, you begin to appreciate such incredible surroundings.

Visiting a local nomadic family in their ger in Mongolia

As we had two Mongolian guides with us (invaluable support in a country where very little or no English is spoken or understood), we could visit a Mongolian ger and a local family to learn about nomadic life.

It wasn’t a tourist set up, but a traditional, local family who lived on an isolated patch of land in the valley. We tried their dairy products (their source of income), including fermented mare’s milk, curd and butter, before learning about ger rules and traditions and asking each other many questions!

READ MORE: Visiting a Mongolian Ger – Understanding the Nomadic Culture of Mongolia

We needed a quick stop in the nearby town of Tsetserleg to stock up on food supplies. It was a market day with an electric atmosphere. I get a high from moments when you don’t know where you are and what to do, and where you have to work hard to communicate and negotiate.

We later visited the most important Monastery in the country, Erdene Zuu Monastery in Kharkhorin – the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia that had up to 100 temples and 1,000 monks before the purges in 1937. Only three temples remained, alongside several statues and other items.

The exterior walls of the Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia

Part of the temple complex inside Mongolia’s Erdene Zuu Monastery

The red, gold and green temple structures at Erdene Zuu Monastery

A visit to the museum we camped next to – the Kultigen Monument, housing artefacts from the Turkish empire – set us on the way to the nearby Ugii Lake, where we would relax all day and camp for one night.

Ugii lake emits a calming atmosphere and invites you to traverse it slowly. While it would take almost a day to walk around, it’s a great place to unwind and reflect. I count this as one of my most favourite spots in all of Mongolia.

Our camping set-up beside Ugii Lake in Mongolia

We arrived at Hustain National Park in the afternoon to settle into a ger camp. This National Park is known for the rare Przewalski’s horse, unique to Mongolia. When you finally track down a small group, it’s still hard to see their beauty up close as you can’t get that close to them.

Still, we got to meet the ‘Best Mongolian Folk Band in Mongolia’ called Domog in the evening after a fantastic show where they performed rock-style tunes via the famed throat singing. I guess it is the equivalent of meeting Westlife in Ireland. Seriously.

Meeting Damog, the Best Mongolian Folk Band in Mongolia

We had to journey back through the crazy, construction-overloaded, traffic-ridden Ulaanbaatar to get to Terelj National Park and the last ger camp of the trip (we were due to bush camp the weather put a stop to that). 

It’s incredible how a few hours down the road from the capital brings you to some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes.

The road that leads to the heart of Terelj National Park, Mongolia

If you love walking and hiking, you will love Terelj National Park. Here you can wander for hours, hike to a Monastery and horse ride through the forests and rocky hilltops. Make sure you check out ‘Turtle Rock’ too. You may think it looks like something else from a certain angle!

One of the layered rock formations in Terelj National Park in Mongolia

Visiting Turtle Rock in Terelj National Park Mongolia, named for its shape similar to the animal

Nothing beats the end of the wilderness journey than a visit to the giant 40-metre tall silver Ghengis Khan statue just outside of Ulaanbaatar on the banks of the Tuul River. Legend has it that it was at this spot that Ghengis Khan found his golden whip. Anyhow, a bit of a pilgrimage spot for locals, it was fascinating (if not a bit odd and imposing in the same way a colossal silver statue of Hitler in Germany would probably evoke the same feeling).

40-metre tall silver Ghengis Khan statue just outside of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Back in Ulaanbaatar, I turned my hostel room into an office and distracted myself with a pizza slice, cake and coffee at Wendy’s Bakery – worth a visit alongside the State Department Store, which is right next to the hostel area. It’s an excellent chance to rest up after adventure through the vast landscapes of Mongolia. 

The Dragoman overland truck is what we called home, except we didn’t sleep on it overnight. Instead, we went wild camping and every night, checking into a hotel once when the rains were too much to settle a tent comfortably. 

The Outside

The truck’s exterior has lots of compartments – storage for luggage and tents and a clean water supply, mealtime equipment and food supplies. It’s a travelling transformer, and everyone has to lend a hand setting up and packing down for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

If you have no sense of camaraderie or hate getting dirty, then this isn’t the kind of adventure trip for you. I embraced it and loved every minute of ‘roughing it’.

Travel in Mongolia was mostly about camping.

Twenty-three seats, a fridge, a safe, a bookshelf, prominent speakers and a place to recharge equipment, this is where we spend hours at a time, or what could end up being an entire day, traversing the landscape. We filled it with our belongings like a messy bedroom and made it cosy.

Inside the Overlanding truck on the journey travelling Mongolia

Along the Way

The two drivers are the mechanics, the navigators and the troubleshooters. Everything about the truck, from where it goes and how it gets there, hangs on their decision making, alongside our Mongolian guide who knew the land better than anyone else and could speak the language when we needed to call upon locals for help. 

Overlanding in Mongolia was a real adventure.

Although the drivers would jump out to check the road, walking far ahead to determine the best track to take or check waterlogged areas (often by getting in the water) to limit the truck’s chances of getting bogged. We often stopped to help locals whose cars were stuck, knowing that karma would need to be returned one day. 

The Realities of Rural Travel in Mongolia

“Ok, guys, you have to get off. It’s not looking good.” This phrase, accompanied by the engine’s low hum and strain as it finally gave up, became a regular occurrence during the three weeks I spent in Mongolia. Getting dirty in Mongolia is a given, but I never thought on my travels that I would push a truck out of thick, stodgy mud, build a road complete with a dam or wade knee-deep through a river to get to the other side. 

In Mongolia, aside from the small handful of roads available, you will take the path less travelled, one that hasn’t been used for days or worn in by other vehicles for an easy pass. You could call it bad luck, or you could call it a reality, but travel comes with its challenges and getting stuck in Mongolia is by far the most common.  While I wasn’t expecting substantial bogging incidents on this trip, I began to embrace them when they did happen. After all, the locals have to face these situations regularly. It became a part of what Mongolia is and what it means to cross her lands.

The drivers of the truck were responsible for assessing each situation when it arose. They were the first to get dirty, walk through the water and determine the outcome. At times it put you on edge, wondering how long you would be stuck somewhere with no one passing by for hours. At other times it merely meant us having to walk a short distance to lighten the truck.

Either way, the result was a massive whoop and roar for our truck, Archie, when he made it through. It felt good, and we then knew the next stage of the journey could begin. These are the times I’ll always remember.

Our group helps find a track in the water for the truck to pass in Mongolia.

It had been raining on and off for a few days, mainly in short spurts in the evenings, and we were bumping along the wet dirt tracks just fine. When the truck stopped, and we saw that two pools of water had filled two road tracks, we knew a bogging incident was imminent. The drivers walked, pondered and walked through the water. Could we drive through it without getting stuck?

The usual scenario rested on two possibilities – drive through it or find hard enough ground around it. Except that this time it was different. We were told: “We need to empty this road of water and then let the ground dry out so we can cross over it.”

Cue the mad dash to empty our camping gear to find our plastic washing-up bowls and any other form of a plastic container to begin the removal process. The ladies rolled up their shorts to get right in there and scoop out the water as the men started digging to create a road. Everyone built a dam by hand on each side of the tyre track grooves so that the emptied water wouldn’t flow back in.

It was hard work, but we became a team, a great team. The sun was shining that day which meant we only had to wait a couple of hours while the heat dried out our creation. We ate, we played, we sang, and we marvelled at what resourceful people we were. It was a scary moment when Archie made his move to cross our road (our beautifully crafted highway that could be crushed in seconds and need rebuilding), but he made it in one unbeaten run, and our handmade route was left to the land and in nature’s control.

Happening upon grassy, muddy areas is sporadic. You can never tell exactly how hard the ground is beneath it. After bouts of rain, the ground softens, and even though there were times when the truck had to work a little harder, it made it through.

We had just had a fantastic afternoon checking out a local Nadaam festival and were in high spirits, which we needed knowing that we would be driving for the rest of the day. Except we didn’t – we were soon stuck in thick, sticky mud, and no amount of pushing and revving was going to change it.

Digging out the truck wheels from the deep, wet mud in Mongolia

Our Mongolian guide walked to the nearest ger to get help, and the locals later returned on a motorbike to check out the situation. The whole family came out – we regularly became a source of fascination or amusement en route through the country. However, they kindly decided to use their big, industrial tractor to help pull the truck out of the mud – that too got stuck.

With two vehicles out of action and night starting to fall, we decided to set up camp on a drier patch of land nearby, and the drivers worked relentlessly with the locals throughout the evening. We got bogged at 5 pm, and it took until midnight for the truck to be pulled from sludge. It was a day wasted, but another example of how unpredictable travelling here can be.

When the truck stops dead at a deep area of water, you know the situation isn’t going to be resolved quickly. Can a truck this size pass through a river without sinking or getting stuck? Although we enjoyed paddling in the freshwater, we didn’t know whether we could have to completely re-route to get around it and lose more time.

The conclusion was that there was a distinct lack of knowledge about alternative roads around the river, and somehow we would have to find a way to get through it. With a small truck already stuck right in the middle, it was a scary prospect.

The drivers identified the most shallow and hard ground area in the water to pass, although we couldn’t be on the truck, unfortunately. You can imagine the chaos – a group of locals trying to rescue their vehicle and 20 non-locals trying to navigate through the water, knee-deep and screeching, scared of falling in.

My heart skipped a beat watching our truck splash through the water and wondering whether it would stop dead in its tracks and slowly swim in a sea of mud, taking all our belongings with it. But Archie made it, and this time, he got the biggest cheer. And a giant sigh of relief.

Typical river crossings in Mongolia and helping out locals who were also stuck

With unpredictable weather conditions, a challenging landscape to navigate and a trip mostly comprised of wild camping, packing for Mongolia requires some planning. In short, you need to factor in the following:

• Items of clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty and wholly ruined.
• Clothing layers for the constant switch of hot and cold climates – thermals to moisture-wicking and waterproof items.
• Sun protection and bug spray for mosquitos and sandflies.
• All medications you need as you’ll often be far from any significant stores or aid.
• Snacks from home as the food variation can get very repetitive.

For a more extensive overview, read my full Mongolia Packing List .

About Becki

Becki Enright is a British Travel Press Award-winning writer whose work focuses on changing perceptions about misunderstood aspects of destinations. Her writing combines storytelling with insight into the social, historical, political and economic factors that shape the country or place in relation to tourism. Becki has appeared live on Sky News and CNN and has contributed to high profile media including National Geographic, Time.com, Guardian online, New York Times, Grazia and Buzzfeed.

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Travel to Inner Mongolia: The Complete Guide

In this guide to travel in Inner Mongolia you will find:

• How to decide whether to use a travel agency or make your own way;
• A guide to Inner Mongolia’s top sites and attractions;
• A breakdown of costs in Inner Mongolia including travel, accommodation and activities;
• Advice on the best time to visit Inner Mongolia and some useful packing suggestions;
• Travel tips to make the best out of your trip to this beautiful part of China: local customs, food, and shopping.

As Inner Mongolia is very big, this guide aims to introduce you to some of the region’s key sights and attractions to help you best plan your trip. If you would like more details about a particular place, please comment below.

For more general information about traveling in China such as visas, vaccinations, flights, food etc. be sure to check out this epic 4,000 word complete guide to traveling in China . Just skip to the sections you are most interested in!

Before you book your trip: agency vs. your own way

The first time I traveled to Inner Mongolia I booked myself onto an organized agency tour . My reasoning behind it was this:

• I had very little time to organize my trip;
• I only had a week off and wanted to see as much of Inner Mongolia as possible;
• I had not been in China very long and was not confident in my ability to get by on my own or to communicate in Mandarin;
• I was traveling alone and wanted to meet other people;
• The agency sorted out everything including my travel from Beijing: easy life!

Although I fell in love with Inner Mongolia on that trip, my experience with this agency was very mixed. Here are the pros and cons that I experienced with a Beijing-based agency organizing Inner Mongolia tours:

• Everything was organized for me which meant very little planning aside from what to pack;
• I was able to discover some of Inner Mongolia’s culture and history through our very knowledgeable guide;
• I made some really awesome friends on the tour.
• It was a much more expensive option than organizing everything myself;
• We were always taken to the most touristy sites at the most touristy times which made it difficult to experience authentic Inner Mongolia;
• A lot of the tour (as can often happen in China) was based around getting us to buy stuff or paying extra for activities. For example, a lot of Inner Mongolia tours will claim that horse-riding is included in the package but will in fact make you pay more for this when you get there;
• Lack of flexibility to do any of my own exploring;
• My biggest issue with the tour was how much time we had to spend in transport vs. how much time we actually got to see stuff.

If you have limited time to travel to Inner Mongolia and limited time to organize your trip, booking through a tour agency may be a good choice. However, I recommend not booking a tour that is too ambitious with its itinerary or you will spend your entire trip on a bus… Inner Mongolia is a huge region!

I also recommend booking a local tour from Hohhot rather than booking one with a large tour operator from Beijing or Shanghai like I did. The reasons for this are:

• You will get better value for your money;
• Tours will be smaller and more flexible. You can also book several short tours instead of one long one to experience more of the diversity Inner Mongolia has to offer;
• You are guaranteed guides with strong local knowledge;
• You are supporting the local economy.

Some of the best tours I’ve experienced and heard great feedback about are those organized by Anda’s guesthouse. This family-run hostel offers a good variety of tours at one of the most cost effective prices in Hohhot. The staff and guides are very friendly and are also always happy to help you with your own travel plans.

Making Your Own Way

The second time I visited Inner Mongolia, I was determined to go beyond the beaten path and make my own way through the region as much as possible. I was not disappointed! I got to discover the Inner Mongolia of my imagination with lush rolling grasslands and sunsets over the desert.

That being said, I was fortunate enough to be able to travel this way because:

• I had plenty of time to spare and was flexible about how long I could stay in the region;
• I had a good travel companion;
• By this point, I could speak enough Mandarin to get by.

If you are in a situation similar to the one above, I definitely recommend making your own way as much as possible. Inner Mongolians are very helpful and you should easily be able to convince a taxi driver to help you organize a homestay in a yurt or negotiate the bus system to get to the more remote parts of the region.

Go north and go west! These parts of the region are more remote but boast some of the most beautiful scenic spots in China. Be warned that some areas of the far West region of Inner Mongolia require travel permits, meaning that using a local tour company to obtain these is inevitable.

If you don’t speak Mandarin but still want to escape the tourist track do not despair! Friendly hostels in cities like Hohhot can help you plan and organize expeditions to more remote areas. You can also ask them to write down any Mandarin characters (for example asking for a bus ticket to a place) you might need on your travels.

Where to go in Inner Mongolia

When it comes to cities in Inner Mongolia, perhaps this article says it best, describing the regions largest cities Hohhot – which by the way is the capital of the Province – and Baotou as having that ‘on-the-brink-of-something-big’ feel. That is to say they are not particularly beautiful cities but they have a certain excitement and charm, and business is booming!

Although Inner Mongolia’s main charm comes from its natural scenery, the cities also hold some attractions well worth a visit.

Here are my top recommendations for things to do in Hohhot and Baotou:

• Dazhao temple : This colourful temple is Hohhot’s oldest temple built in the 16th century. It contains a 2.5m silver Sakyamuni Buddha statue and is worth the visit for those interested in sampling one of China’s more impressive temples.
• Five-Pagoda Temple : This temple is renowned in China for being the only Indian style Chinese temple. It holds an amazing 1,500 frescoes of Buddha and is covered in Mongolian and Tibetan script.
• Inner Mongolia Museum : I am admittedly not a museum person, so I was surprised to find myself enjoying the eclectic collection of dinosaur fossils, ancient nomadic artifacts, exhibits showcasing local fauna and flora and even a section dedicated to Chinese space exploration!
• Walk around in the Old Town : Hohhot is a great place to simply wander around. A portion of Tongdao Road, also referred to as ‘Islam style street’ on TripAdvisor, boasts beautiful Muslim architecture and some really tasty Halal restaurants.

Admittedly, there is not much to do within Baotou itself. However, the city is a good base to visit the following destinations:

• Genghis Kahn Mausoleum : The world famous Mongolian hero’s mausoleum is close to the city of Ordos , 115 km from Baotou. History buffs love the mausoleum whilst others argue it is not worth the long trip. The mausoleum can be reached by bus from Baotou.
• Wudangzhao Monastery : One of the most impressive Tibetan Buddhist lamaseries outside of Tibet, this destination is fairly off the beaten track. Monks are very friendly but not many of them speak English. The monastery is approximately 70 km Northeast of Baotou.

Near Hohhot

There are three grasslands close enough to Hohhot for short trips:

• Xilamuren grasslands : Closest to Hohhot (90 Km) and the first grasslands to be developed as a tourist attraction, these tend to be overcrowded and packed with tourist buses in peak seasons. More worryingly, over-grazing and tourism in recent years have affected the grass leaving it sparse and browning in certain areas. Although these grasslands are host to a number of activities such as horseriding, I would recommend avoiding them if you have other options.
• Gegentala grasslands : These grasslands are roughly a two and a half hour drive from Hohhot. Although they are not yet showing signs of desertification like Xilamuren, they remain equally as tourist-oriented. Gengentala is home to rows and rows of yurts serving as accommodation. They do have the plus side of being equipped with modern comforts such as toilets and as they cater to the Chinese tourist you will even find a nightclub or two! That being said, Gegentala is a good option for those who cannot travel too far outside of Hohhot and offers a range of activities from horseriding to wrestling to traditional mutton banquets held in yurts.
• Huitengxile grasslands : If you have a bit more time, these grasslands lay a three and a half hour drive from Hohhot. There you will find a very similar set up as Gegentala in terms of accommodation and activities, but less busy. Be warned however that some travelers complain the grass here is not as lush and green as they had hoped.

Further away: Hulunbuir grasslands

If you want to visit one of the most beautiful grasslands in China, this is the place. This is where you experience luxuriant green plains, crystal blue lakes, roaming horses and all those things you imagine Mongolia to be.

Found in Northeastern Inner Mongolia, Hulunbuir is over 2,000 km from Hohhot so more of a mission to access. The closest airport is Hailaer, only 7 km from Hulunbuir. A flight from Hohhot takes just over two hours. The closest train station is also Hailaer station. You can get a sleeper train from Hohhot for a tenth of the price of a flight but it will take you 40 hours. It is actually faster to get a train from Beijing (30 hours) so you may consider doing this if you want to visit this area specifically.

In Hulunbuir, you will find similar tourist activities as in the other grasslands but will also have opportunities to discover the environment in a more intimate way. Hire a local driver, get involved in a horse-riding tour that spans over several days or simply go hiking. There is so much to do here! It is quite hard to find information on activities here beyond the organized tours that leave from Beijing so I recommend reading TripAdvisor or Lonely Planet forums for other traveler tips or simply waiting till you get there to plan your time there.

Near Baotou: Resonant Sand Gorge (or Singing Sand Ravine)

The Resonant Sand Gorge, known in Chinese as Xiang Sha Wan is an area of the Kubuqi Desert about one hour’s drive from Baotou. It gets its name from the reported ‘singing sands’ that can be heard there, making a noise some describe as similar to that of an airplane. However, travelers remain divided on whether such a noise can actually be heard there. Personally, I heard nothing.

The Resonant Sand Gorge has become increasingly popular in recent years and has been developed to cater specifically to tourists. Think camel rides, dune buggies, sand sleds and a plethora of other sand-based activities.

Despite the undeniably touristy aspect of this experience, the scenery is admittedly still breathtaking and the rides are actually good fun. For someone who had never experienced a desert (such as myself), this is still a great experience.

A few recommendations:

• Pay more and get the chairlift: this is about an extra 40 Yuan but it is worth avoiding having to climb sand dunes in boiling hot sand. The view is much nicer from the top anyway;
• Get the shoe covers: these are an extra 10 Yuan but will ensure you don’t burn your feet of find sand in your shoes for days;
• Try the sand sled: it is one of the cheaper activities and sledding down the sand dunes is more exhilarating than any roller coaster!
• The camel riding is one of the more expensive activities (around 180 Yuan for one hour) but will enable you to see more of the desert.
• Before paying for an activity, find out how much time it lasts. Some are very expensive and only last 5 minutes!

Further away: Tengger desert and Badain Jaran desert

These deserts can be found to the West of Inner Mongolia and are much more difficult to access from Baotou or Hohhot. They almost warrant a trip in themselves, as they are more remote and difficult to organize travel in.

Here are a few key facts about both:

Tengger Desert:

• Fourth largest desert in China;
• Borders with Ningxia Province;
• Visit: Moon lake and Swan Lake;
• Good for: camel-riding;
• Access from: Yingchuan City.

Badain Jaran Desert:

• 3rd largest sand dune on earth;
• Borders with Gansu Province;
• Visit: many lakes and dunes;
• Good for: hiking (especially up the tallest dune);

How much does a trip to Inner Mongolia cost?

Transport to inner mongolia.

Unless traveling to more distant locations such as Hulubuir or Badain Jaran desert, most travelers will start their trip in Hohhot.

To reach Hohhot:

• By flight : Flights from Beijing to Hohhot’s Baita International Airport take around 45 minutes with Air China, China Southern and China Eastern all flying this route. The airport is 15 km from the city center. The airport bus costs 5 Yuan while a taxi to the center costs around 30 Yuan.
• By train : A train from Beijing to Hohhot takes between 6 ½ and 11 hours and costs about 150 Yuan for a hard sleeper. Click here to read our complete guide for traveling in China by train.
• By bus : The long-distance bus from Beijing Liuliqiao Station (A1, Liuliqiao Nan Li, Fengtai District) to Hohhot takes 8 hours and costs 150 Yuan.

Find out more about how to get to Hohhot here .

Traveling to Baotou? Read this excellent article on how to get there.

Transport within Inner Mongolia

The easiest way to travel between cities in Inner Mongolia is by bus. Some travelers also choose to hire a driver to get to Inner Mongolia’s main attractions. Most hotels or hostels should be able to help you do this.

It is also possible to travel by train between Hohhot and Baotou. The journey takes one hour and twenty minutes and costs about 25 Yuan on a hard seat.

Accommodation options in Hohhot and Baotou are largely made up of hotels. Besides Anda’s Guesthouse in Hohhot, there is little in the way of hostels in these cities.

This article gives a good summary of Hohhot and Baotou’s more upscale hotels. You can check them on Agoda.com:

• Shangri-La Hotel Hohhot
• Holiday Inn Hotel Hohhot
• Inner Mongolia Jin Jiang International hotel
• Shangri-La Hotel, Baotou

For more budget options check Lonely Planet’s budget hotel section or, again, Agoda.com .

Accommodation choices for more remote areas will be limited so be sure to check ahead for availability.

The table below gives you an idea of the price of some of Inner Mongolia’s top sites and activities. Be aware that the prices are subject to change as these have already increased dramatically in recent years.

Planning your trip to Inner Mongolia

The best time to visit.

Inner Mongolia can get very cold in the winter and travel plans can be affected by snow or blizzards so avoid this period if you can help it.

It is widely accepted that the best time to visit Inner Mongolia is in the summer between May and August. Visit in July if you wish to witness the region’s Naadam festival commemorating the 1921 Mongolian revolution. During this time athletes will compete in wrestling, archery and horse racing in grasslands across the region.

What to bring

The region’s proximity to the desert means it can be very warm during the day but become very cold at night and in the early morning. Bring a good mix of clothing for this range of temperatures.

You will experience a lot of direct sunlight in Inner Mongolia’s vast expanses so don’t forget sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and some lip balm as it can get very dry!

Lastly, a good pair of trainers will go a long way in your grassland and desert adventures.

Travel tips

Local customs.

Inner Mongolia has a lot of traditions and customs specific to the region, which may be useful to know if visiting a Mongolian family. Most guides will explain these to you once you are there but here are a few to look out for:

• Do not walk through a flock or herd in the grasslands (walk around) as this is considered an offense to their owner;
• It is customary for Mongolian families to serve visitors a bowl of milk tea. Accept this with both hands and knock your bowl with your spoon if you do not want a refill;
• It is also custom for families to serve local liquor to their guests in welcome and to offer a toast. It is polite to accept the drink and thank the host even if you are not actually planning on drinking it;
• Mongolian families will present guests with a hada (piece of silk) and sing a song of blessing as a sign of welcome. It is tradition to accept the hada with both hands and to thank the host by crossing your arms across your chest.

Be prepared to eat A LOT of mutton in Inner Mongolia. Some typical dishes to try: Roasted whole sheep, Roasted gigot, Mutton hotpot and Handlebar mutton.

Want a break from all the mutton? Try these delicious buckwheat noodles in Hohhot.

In terms of drinks, the salty milk tea is a definite staple. Or try the local beer Xai Bei.

For some good old-fashioned souvenir shopping try Lao Jie (Old Street) in Hohhot. Some traditional Mongolian souvenirs include Mongolian silverware, Mongolian carpets, Mongolian knives with a sculpted blade, ox horn handicrafts and cashmere.

Are you ready to travel to Inner Mongolia? If you have any questions just leave a comment below!

Photo Credits: Photos by Marie Pilaud

About The Author

Marie Pilaud

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33 thoughts on “travel to inner mongolia: the complete guide”.

I am just wondering if foreigners need to register or apply for anything in advance of a visit. I’m thinking of visiting in September, but haven’t been to China for many years, so I’m a bit unsure.

Thank you so much in advance!

As far as I know there is no restrictions for foreign travelers to visit Inner Mongolia

If I can ride horseback and see wild hose in landscape in March?

I guess you can!

Hello. Thanks for the post. Me and my friend is planning to rent a car both for Xilamuren/Gegenta Grasslands and Resonant Sand Gorge. The only concern I have if it is possible to book a yurt in advance? It’s kinda risky to find a place on the day itself. :)

Thank you so much!

Hi, thanks for the article. I am planning a trip to Ordos in Jul with the spouse and am trying to decide whether to go independently or with a travel agency. Our plan is to spend just 2 days here, making a day trip to Resonant Sand Bay and exploring Kangbashi the rest of the time. Our base would be a hotel in downtown Kangbashi. Could I find out how practical it is to hire a taxi on the spot to bring us around for the 2 days and how much that might cost?

Hi, great article.

How easy is it to spend a few days walking/riding in the grasslands and staying in yurts. Is it easy to organise there? Ideally I would like to avoid a tour group.

Also any tips for travelling this area on a budget? Thanks

Hello William, your questions are quite general. I think we kind of cover them in the article!

Hi, thank you so much for a great and informative article! I’m planning on visiting the Hulunbuir grasslands in August for roughly 3-4 days and I wanted to know if we’d need the tick-borne encephalitis vaccination? Websites recommend it for people staying more than a month, or for short-term travellers who will be mainly outside (camping, hiking etc.) but if we’re just planning a homestay in yurts and some horse-riding, do you think we’d need it? Do you know of any other vaccinations we must get or should consider getting? Thanks in advance! Viola | A Piece of Viola

Hello Viola, sorry, we aren’t doctors.

We always suggest to ask to a doctor in these cases

I am planning to go in July but will be visiting Heilongjiang before heading over. May I know how I can arrange for a local guide or private tour? And is it safe as I am a female traveler alone.

Hello Samantha,

please read our articles about tours in China. China is relatively safe.

Thanks for your excellent article. I am an older male traveller. I’d rather like to join a small group when I am travelling, simply it a bit lonely doing by myself all the time. I am coming to Huhhot sometime in the first 2 weeks of June 2017. Are there any small tour companies that allow a solo to join their groups? I’d like to join a 5 – 7 day tour. See a bit of everything. No real itinerary, apart from an aversion to souvenir shops. And no, I don’t want to have my own driver and guide… a tour group of one it not my idea of fun. Keep up the good work. Chris S.( From Melbourne, Australia )

You should look for a local travel agency that offer this kind of tours, the problem is that Inner Mongolia isn’t a popular touristic destination among international travelers so it might be a bit hard to join group tours.

Is it possible to have contacts for local driver, local guide, and more detailed tips on how to do a 1-week family trip there? We live in China and travel a lot, always on our own and without agency because we love off the beaten track places with no people… Thanks for this great article and thanks in advance for your help…

You can contact us through the form in this post

Thinking of visiting Inner Mongolia very soon. Thank you so much for your insight and helpful tips. Very useful and very much appreciate your time and effort.

Paul & Elaine.

Thank you very much Marie. Great info for me. I am going to Inner Mongolia in June..

Great info. thank you so much.. traveling in June mid or end after completing Mongolia :-)

One of the most usefully peices of information on Inner Mongolia I have found

hi, I am a canadian who lived in china many years. what is it that you do in china now a days. Love to hear about it and maybe get some tips. please feel free to email me,

like your article. i’m a local Mongolian, starting to create my own travel website of Inner Mongolia, hope to get your opinion.

Hi, I am Evelyn Tan H N, a retired English Language Teacher from Singapore. Lately, I am interested to know more about Inner Mongolia. Especially to find out more about the whereabouts of the 1st batch of children members of the Rainbow Hulu Bluir Children’s Choir which was formed in December 2006 by a couple who is very famous in the Performing of Mongolian Cultural dance and singing aspect. (+65 87819894 Republic Of Singapore).

I would like to travel to Hulun Buir grasslands, stay in local yurt overnight, not big touristy type. I would also like to travel to Evenki reindeer herders and stay with them about 2 nights. Is this possible? I will be travelling in early December, and yes I do realise it will be very cold. I have done a lot of travelling in China, in winter, so I do realise how cold it will be. I can only find very limited information about the Evenki. Thanks Wendy

I am curious if you find any information about the Evenki. Did you stay with them during your travelling? Hope to hear from you.

thanks Daan

A great overview with some great and honest insights! Most obliged! JL :D

Hi! Do you suppose it’s possible to get a car from the Singing Sands Desert to Hohhot? I’m thinking about doing the desert in one day, then leaving early the next morning for Hohhot, seeing the old street, and then catching a train back to Beijing in the afternoon. How much do you suppose the car ought to be?

Hi Marie – loved your guidelines for Inner Mongolia. Having read them I am now seriously thinking of travelling on my own for a long weekend. Thank you :)

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Inner Mongolia Travel Guide

Inner mongolia facts.

Chinese Name: 内蒙古自治区 (nèi méng gǔ zì zhì qū) Abbreviation: Meng Population: 25,396,000 Area: 1,183,000 square kilometers (456,759 square miles) Location: in the north of China Administrative Division: 9 cities (Hohhot, Baotou, Wuhai, Chifeng, Tongliao, Erdos, Hulunbuir, Bayannur, Ulanqab); 3 leagues (Alxa, Xilingol, Hinggan) GDP (2019): CNY 1,721.25 billion (USD 249.49 billion) Nationalities: Mongol , Daur , Oroqen , Ewenki , Hui , Han , Chaoxian , Man  

China’s Third Largest Province Featuring Prairie Scenery

The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, bordering to the north with both the Republic of Mongolia and Russia, is the widest province in China (by its latitude). It is near to Heilongjiang , Jilin , Liaoning , Hebei , Shanxi , Shaanxi , Ningxia and Gansu within China. Hohhot is the capital of Inner Mongolia. Most parts of Inner Mongolia are more than 1,000 meters (1,094 yards) above sea level and it presents various landforms, including plateau, mountains, hills, plains, deserts, rivers and lakes. Magnificent and changeable natural scenery, characteristic Mongolian yurts and ubiquitous herds of cattle and sheep will definitely give you a wonderful and unforgettable travel experience. Nadam Fair, White Festival, Oboo Sacrifice, Mare's Milk are major Inner Mongolia festivals which offer unique Mongolian customs. The best time to visit Inner Mongolia is in summer when the temperature is not particularly hot and the grassland scenery is very beautiful due to green and lush grasses. Nadam Fair is held from July to August and Oboo Sacrifice is on the 13th of May in the lunar calendar.  

Climate in Inner Mongolia is very different during the year. Winter is cold and can be very long, with frequent blizzards. Usually summer is short and warm. The climate changes from arid to semi-humid from west to east, and to humid in the northeast. The annual rainfall is 80 - 450 millimeters, also increasing from west to east. The main feature of the climate here is that the different in temperature between days and nights is very big, so tourists should wear layer of clothes when traveling here. See also  Inner Mongolia Weather

Cities in Inner Mongolia

What to see.

Inner Mongolia has a peculiar natural scenery, long history and brilliant culture. There are many attraction sites in this area. Some of the key attraction sites are: Wudangzhao Monastery in Baotou is a vast complex and used to be the residence of the highest ranking lama in Inner Mongolia and now it is the only intact Tibetan Buddhist monastery there. Inner Mongolia is the hometown of Genghis Khan (1162-1227), the great leader of Mongolians. Genghis Khan's Mausoleum , located 185 kilometers (about 71 miles) south of Baotou, holds his clothing buried in his memory. Dazhao Temple is one of the biggest and best-preserved temples in Hohhot. Xilituzhao Palace is the largest surviving Lama temple in Hohhot.

See more attractions in Inner Mongolia: Hulun Lake

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Would you recommend visiting Mongolia or Inner Mongolia? We have 2 weeks and would like to see the grasslands and desserts. Thanks.

Visit Mongolia the country, not the province of China! That's like saying, should you visit Australia to experience the UK...

MONGOLIA.But the weather in Mongolia is now cold and snowy.So if you guys want to enjoy the countryside i highly recommend the Arkhangai province.It has a beautiful landscape.But the weather in Gobi desert is a little bit warmer than other regions.Take warm clothes and WELCOME TO MONGOLIA.If you guys have any questions, just let me know.I will glad to help you guys :) Cheers

We were on both places and definitel Mongolia. Inner Mongolia is in China and the people and the way to life is Chinese style. Mongolia is just Mongolia style, amazing.

You can read about our experience, travelling by our own in fuetimate. We will be happy to answer your quations.

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8 awesome things to do in Inner Mongolia

Posted by Olivia Seaton-Hill | Updated December 2, 2022 | Travel

If you like being outdoors, then Inner Mongolia is the place for you!

Inner Mongolia, a province in the north of China, is a place I’ve always been curious about visiting.

When I got the chance to go, I jumped at the opportunity to spend four days taking in the sights, enjoying natural beauty, and eating as much lamb as I could possibly get my hands on!

With so many things to do in this wind-swept and magical part of China, it’s hard to narrow it down to just a few highlights. But for you, I’ve tried.

So, here are eight awesome things to do in Inner Mongolia.

(Note: in case you don’t know, Inner Mongolia is not the same as Mongolia, which is a standalone country and is not covered in this article.)

1. Stay in a yurt in the middle of nowhere

The yurt I stayed in. Image supplied by Olivia Seaton-Hill.

It looks cool, it is cool.

Okay, so I’m sure my humble abode was a far cry from a traditional yurt but nonetheless, I loved it.

My yurt was complete with electricity and running water. However, the water was ice cold!

This is worth keeping in mind if you plan to stay here for more than one night.

For me, it was a bit too chilly to fully shower which would have been inconvenient had I been doing something messy or very active during the day.

See also: Tips when planning your trip to China

Our particular yurt village offered the chance to wear traditional Mongolian clothing to dinner – a lamb feast complete with songs and dance.

I wasn’t entirely sold on the dressing-up aspect, but my travel buddies were and so I allowed myself to get swept up in the festivities.

The Vans and leopard print pants add a certain something to the traditional look. Image supplied by Olivia Seaton-Hill.

Without the interference of light pollution, the night sky and sunrise and sunset were all spectacular from this area.

I give bonus points to the wind, which whistled through the roof of my yurt and lulled me into a wonderfully peaceful sleep before 10pm on a Friday night.

How wild am I!?

This is a beautiful place to disconnect and really just soak in your surroundings.

2. Ride a horse across the grasslands

Inner Mongolia is famous for its horses. Image by marywenstrom on Pixabay.

I quite like horses, so for me this was really enjoyable.

For others in my party, this was wildly adventurous. And for a few, this was their worst nightmare!

What surprised me the most was how much control we each had over our horse. There were about 35 people in the group, with only two or three local cowboys accompanying us.

Yet, I didn’t ever feel unsafe.

The horses themselves were incredibly chilled out and very well behaved under the watchful eyes of the locals, who rode back-and-forth ensuring nobody was left behind.

If you didn’t want to horseback ride, you had the option to follow behind the group in a little horse-drawn carriage instead.

We rode for around 5 km (3 miles) before heading back to where we started. The uninterrupted views of the grasslands combined with the wind in my hair was one of my highlights of my visit to Inner Mongolia.

Who needs a spa to unwind when nature itself can offer a similar remedy?

3. Receive a Hādá

Hold on to you Hādá or you might have to chase after it in the windy grasslands. Image supplied by Olivia Seaton-Hill.

In Tibetan Buddhism, Hādás are significant in many ceremonies such as graduations, weddings, births, funerals and the arrival of guests.

Sometimes known as a khata, these gifts are small silk scarves. Many sources say they are traditionally white in color, but in Inner Mongolia, they are generally blue to represent the sky.

When receiving a Hādá, you should hold out both hands with your palms facing upwards and bow your head slightly.

The person giving it to you will also bow their head as they place the scarf across your hands. You can then drape it around your neck.

There is a milk-drinking ritual that sometimes goes along with the giving of Hādás. It includes a song and sharing your milk with the heavens and earth.

4. Visit the desert

Riding a camel in the desert is cliché but you’ve got to do it. Image supplied by Olivia Seaton-Hill.

This was not at all what I expected it to be.

I’d anticipated a bit more nature and a bit less tourism. What I got was a small amusement park in the middle of the Kubuqi Desert .

Some friends who have also visited Inner Mongolia shared similar sentiments about their desert adventure, while some thoroughly enjoyed it.

Ultimately, I still think it’s worth a visit. When in Rome… or rather when in Inner Mongolia!

See also: Tips for your first trip to China

The sand island (that’s how they refer to these parks) I went to was called ‘xian sha dao’ (Chinese: 仙沙岛) which means ‘sand from heaven’.

Upon arriving in the area, we took a cable car across sand dunes until we could no longer see the parking lot or ticket offices.

Next, we took a small, boat-shaped, open-topped bus and drove even further out into the desert.

Here we spent the afternoon enjoying rollercoasters, ATV rides, acrobatic shows and even bumper cars.

For those who are less interested in funfair rides, there were also some quieter spots to sit and enjoy the view as well as plenty of wonderful photo opportunities.

The park also offers camel rides. Remember, you are under no obligation to join in with any activity you don’t want to do.

Other sand islands may offer slightly different activities, perhaps a bit less touristy. Double check with your tour guide or at the ticket office to find out what’s included before you buy your ticket.

5. Spend an afternoon at the museum

Learning lots and soaking up culture at the museum… clearly. Image supplied by Olivia Seaton-Hill.

My close friends and family know that I am not really a museum kinda girl.

With that said, the Inner Mongolia Museum is a worthwhile visit if you want to gain more insight into the local area and its history.

Located in the capital city of Hohhot , there are various exhibitions spread out across four floors. On display are a wide range of fossils and historical artifacts, some of which date back as far as the prehistoric period.

The exhibits are categorized by genre of nature, history or culture. This should make it quite easy for you to find something to interest you.

However, if you share my view on museums, then the gift shop might be a highlight for you.

6. Visit a temple

I often find that temple visits can add a sense of calm to busy trips. Image supplied by Olivia Seaton-Hill.

Inner Mongolia has no shortage of temples for you to visit. Many of them have beautiful stories behind them.

The temple I went to was actually a Tibetan Buddhist temple called Meidaizhao Monastery dating back to the sixteenth century.

‘Zhao’ means monastery in Mongolian. Its architectural design is reflective of Tibetan, Mongolian and Han Chinese influence – a real mix of culture.

Over the years it has served different purposes within the local community, even as crop storage at one point. However, since the late 1990s its cultural significance has been preserved for future generations.

If you do visit, be sure to pay close attention to the ornately hand-painted walls. You cannot take photographs inside the temple buildings.

Meidaizhao is built at the foot of Daqingshan Mountain. Image supplied by Olivia Seaton-Hill.

The serene Hasu Lake. Image supplied by Olivia Seaton-Hill.

If you have a fair bit of time to spend in Inner Mongolia, you could also visit Hasu Lake. It’s not too far from Meidaizhao Monastery.

We stopped off here for a very brief stretch of our legs and some ice cream. The lake looked pretty big and boat tours were offered.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to join one of the tours but I would’ve liked to. Maybe next time!

7. People watch in the park

The man himself, Genghis Khan. Image supplied by Olivia Seaton-Hill.

You may think this is a bit of a cop-out, but I disagree entirely.

Sometimes go, go, go sightseeing can be exhausting, even for the most seasoned tourist.

Many cities in China are fortunate enough to have beautiful parks in which you can find a nice spot to soak up the sun or wander, while reflecting on the wonderful place you are visiting.

Inner Mongolia is no exception.

I took a walk around Genghis Khan Park in the provincial capital, Hohhot.

Complete with children fishing, couples trying to stay cool in the shade and snack vendors, the park even boasts a giant rock carving of Genghis Kahn above a manmade cave.

8. Eat dumplings on Sai Shang Old Street

We opted to have our Shaomai dumplings fried, but they come steamed too. Image supplied by Olivia Seaton-Hill.

On this recreated ancient street (塞上老街 in Chinese), also in Hohhot, you’ll find many small shops selling souvenirs and local food.

Make sure you pop in to one of the local restaurants for ‘shāomài’ (烧卖) dumplings.

Just one of the delicious dishes I enjoyed, they’re not too dissimilar to regular dumplings that you would find in most parts of China.

They’re shaped a little differently and are generally filled with lamb, scallions and ginger.

An artisan at work on Sai Shang Old Street. Image supplied by Olivia Seaton-Hill.

On Sai Shang Old Street, you’ll also see people dancing in the square, costumes for rent in order for you to get that perfect tourist photo, and many small statues dotted around the area.

It’s a cute touristy place if you’re into that sort of thing.

See also: 15 popular foods from China

My final tips for visiting Inner Mongolia

I loved this part of China! Image supplied by Olivia Seaton-Hill.

When all is said and done, Inner Mongolia is by far one of the best places I’ve ever visited.

It’s unique in terms of geography and the people are genuinely hospitable. And as you can see, there’s no shortage of things to do there.

If you’re planning a trip to Inner Mongolia, I would suggest joining an organized tour as many of the main places of interest are quite far from each other.

It may sound obvious, but remember to check the weather forecast ahead of time. I found the weather perfect – not too hot or cold. However, it can get very windy and very hot at times, so be prepared!

And, as always, if you’re traveling to China and want to access all your favorite websites and apps (like Facebook, Google, Gmail, YouTube, etc), you’ll need to get a VPN before you arrive. Check out this page before you head to China.

I think you’ll love Inner Mongolia. I definitely hope to visit again in the future.

Not quite sold on Inner Mongolia? Perhaps Yangshuo might be your cup of tea. Enjoy a tropical climate, rock climbing, bamboo rafting…

Otherwise, check out my 21 fun facts about China!

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Olivia Seaton-Hill

Originally from Scotland, Olivia works for a Chinese entertainment company as a voice actor and English consultant. She lives in Shenzhen with her two cats. You can follow Olivia on LinkedIn .

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FAQ: The Differences between Mongolia and Inner Mongolia

Posted by Selena Travel / 04 27, 2024

Mongolia vs. Inner Mongolia: Are they the same? What`s the difference? 

Outer Mongolia (Mongolia) and Inner Mongolia are two distinct regions, each with their own unique culture, history, and attractions. If you're planning a trip to this part of the world, it's important to understand the differences between these two regions to ensure that you have the best possible travel experience.

1. Outer Mongolia:

• Country: Outer Mongolia, also known as Mongolia, is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia.
• Independence: It gained independence from Chinese rule in 1921, with support from the Soviet Union.
• Capital: The capital of Mongolia is Ulaanbaatar.
• Culture: Mongolia has a rich nomadic and cultural heritage, known for its traditional practices such as nomadic herding and the Naadam festival.

2. Inner Mongolia:

• Autonomous Region: Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region of China, located in the northern part of the country.
• Population: It is home to a significant population of ethnic Mongols, but the majority of the population consists of Han Chinese.
• Capital: The regional capital is Hohhot.
• Autonomy: While Inner Mongolia has a degree of administrative autonomy, it is ultimately under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China.
• Culture: Inner Mongolia also has a rich cultural heritage, with influences from both Mongolian and Chinese traditions.

Key Differences:

• Political Status: Outer Mongolia is an independent country, while Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region within China.
• Sovereignty: Outer Mongolia is a sovereign state, and its government operates independently. Inner Mongolia, being part of China, falls under Chinese sovereignty.
• Demographics: Outer Mongolia is primarily populated by ethnic Mongols, while Inner Mongolia has a more diverse population, including a significant Han Chinese majority.
• International Recognition: Outer Mongolia is a member of the United Nations and is recognized as a separate, independent country. Inner Mongolia is not a sovereign state and is part of the People's Republic of China.

It's important to note that the terms "Outer" and "Inner" Mongolia historically referred to the geographical locations relative to China, with "Outer" being farther from the Chinese heartland and "Inner" being closer. Today, these terms are primarily used to distinguish between the independent country of Mongolia and the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region within China.

Mongolia : A Land of Endless Possibilities

Mongolia, or more properly the Republic of Mongolia, is a landlocked country located in central Asia, bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east, and west. With vast landscapes, nomadic culture, and a rich history, Mongolia is a destination that has something for everyone. The population of the country is roughly 3.4 million while the territory is approximately 1.56 million square kilometers (603,000 square miles), making it the 18th largest country in the world by land area.

Mongolia is also home to a rich nomadic culture , with many locals living in traditional gers (yurts) and practicing ancient customs such as eagle hunting and horse racing. Visitors can learn about these customs and traditions by staying with local families or on a guided cultural tour.

One of the main attractions of Mongolia is its natural beauty. From the  Gobi Desert to the Altai Mountains , the country is home to a diverse range of landscapes, including vast grasslands, rugged mountains, and deep canyons. Visitors can explore these landscapes on horseback, by hiking, or on a guided tour.

Inner Mongolia: A Fascinating Cultural Crossroads

Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region in northern China, bordering Mongolia to the north and west. Although it shares some cultural similarities with Mongolia, Inner Mongolia has its own unique history and attractions. 

One of the main attractions of Inner Mongolia is its cultural diversity. The region is home to many ethnic groups, including Mongolians, Han Chinese, and Manchus, each with their own unique customs and traditions. Visitors can learn about these different cultures by attending traditional festivals or by visiting local museums. Inner Mongolia is also home to some stunning natural landscapes, including the part of the Gobi Desert and the Hulunbuir Grasslands. Visitors can explore these landscapes on a guide tour or by renting a car and driving themselves. 

Lastly, Inner Mongolia has a population of around 25 million people with a territory of 1.18 million square kilometers (457,000 square miles), which is roughly equivalent to the size of South Africa or three times the size of Japan.

Why Choose Mongolia?

While both Mongolia and Inner Mongolia offer unique cultural experiences and natural beauty, there are some key differences between the two regions. Mongolia is a separate country with its own distinct culture and history, whereas Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region of China. Mongolia also offers more opportunities for adventure tourism , such as trekking and horseback riding , while Inner Mongolia is more focused on cultural tourism.

If you're looking for a truly authentic travel experience with plenty of opportunities for adventure and cultural immersion, Mongolia is the perfect destination for you. With its vast landscapes, rich nomadic culture, and friendly locals, Mongolia offers endless possibilities for travelers who want to explore off the beaten path.

In conclusion, whether you choose to visit Mongolia or Inner Mongolia, you're sure to have a memorable travel experience. By understanding the differences between these two regions, you can choose the one that best suits your travel style and interests. So why wait? Start planning your trip to Mongolia today and discover all that this fascinating destination has to offer!

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A Local’s Mongolia Itinerary for First Timers (and Why it Needs to Be on Your Bucket List)

Ever dreamed of visiting Mongolia? The thought might seem daunting or a bit out of your comfort zone, which is why I’ve enlisted Mongolia expert Breanna Wilson to share her top tips and Mongolia itinerary–3 in fact–to jumpstart your planning process. Keep reading for a deep dive into everything you need to know about exploring this vast country.

It was by accident that I visited Mongolia a few years ago. I knew nothing about the place (except for some hazy memory from high school history of a Mongol ruler named Genghis who did that one thing, that one time, 800 years ago).

But I had just quit my full-time job, had a hefty tax refund in my bank account, and had just been introduced to some guy on Instagram. “That guy” quite literally changed my life. (And not in some mushy rom-com kinda way. We’re better than that, girls. He’s now one of my dearest friends in life as well as a badass business and adventure partner. We all need an Erik Cooper in our lives.)

Today, Mongolia is my part-time home (I split my time between Ulaanbaatar and Tbilisi, Georgia) and is a place that I’ll forever have a fascination with and passion for. It’s not an easy place to live (by any means), but that’s what I love about it. 

Everything about Mongolia pushes you. Pushes you to your limits. Pushes what you thought you knew about yourself. Pushes you to open your eyes and your mind. Mother Mongolia, as I like to call her, doesn’t mess around; just when you think you have everything under control, she throws something unexpected your way.

It’s a place where you truly have to let go–let go of control, schedules, and yourself. The only way to truly experience Mongolia and everything she has to offer is to let go. Once you do, she’ll show you everything you’ve ever wanted to know about yourself, and so much more. 

After two years in the country, I still discover new things every day. From befriending reindeer riders, Kazakh eagle hunters, and Gobi Desert camel herders to uncovering unexpected street art and fashion scenes, underground jazz clubs, and experimental cuisines, I never grow tired of what this country has to offer. 

Which is exactly what led me to launch Meanwhile in Mongolia –to share my experiences of scuba diving in the world’s most landlocked country to hiking volcanic craters, and everything in-between. 

That’s why I love Mongolia and why I think it should be on everyone’s bucket list. But don’t just take it from me, it’s a place that you need to experience for yourself. And when you do, well, here’s everything you need to know about visiting Mongolia for the first time.

See you there.

Why Mongolia Should Be at the Top of Your Bucket List

From riding reindeer to hunting with eagles, swimming in color-changing lakes or cruising on camels across the Gobi Desert, visiting Mongolia puts your wanderlust into overdrive.

Some of my favorite adventures include:

• Winter Dog Sledding in Gorkhi Terelj National Park
• Motorcycling Across Mongolia in Vintage Russian Urals
• Learning to Hunt with Eagles from the Kazakh Eagle Hunters in the West
• Riding Reindeer Across the Taiga in the Northern Provinces

Is Mongolia Safe for Female Travelers?

Is Mongolia safe? It’s the number one question people have about traveling to Mongolia, especially solo female travelers like myself (it was my biggest fear about moving here as well).

Mongolia is like any other country–there are parts that are extremely safe, and parts where you’ll need to be cautious. There’s no point in sugarcoating this: foreigners absolutely stand out here. Because of this, I do not recommend females travel around the country by themselves. I say this for a few reasons.

First, you’re remote. Like, remote, remote. There’s no one around for miles and miles. So, if you’re driving solo in a rental car and get a flat tire (or worse), you’re all alone. No AAA. No 911. It’s up to you to figure out this problem, and I can almost guarantee it won’t be a little one. Mongolia is a rough and rugged place.

Second, alcoholism is very common among locals. I’m not saying this to make you think all Mongolians are alcoholics, but only to provide 100% clarity on what you’re getting into.

So, if you’re staying in a ger (also known as a yurt) with a family, be aware of both your and the family’s alcohol consumption. We all know that alcohol can increase aggression, and miscommunication without a clear understanding of cultural nuances or the language leads to increased frustrations. Create a safe experience for yourself by avoiding these situations altogether.

Overall, Mongolia is a place where guns are rare (unless you’re in the countryside protecting a herd), and although pick pockets and petty theft are common, that’s the worst of it. Wars and political unrest are practically unheard of, and natural disasters are nearly impossible.

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When to Go to Mongolia

Summer is the absolute best time to visit Mongolia (unless you really enjoy -40 C/F weather).

In May you still face the risk of getting stuck in a snowstorm, but by June temperatures are warm. Rain is common, but it won’t ruin your trip.

July is when Naadam, the biggest festival of the year, takes place. The entire country shuts down for about two weeks usually starting around the second weekend of the month. Horse races, wrestling matches, and archery all take place across the country during this time. It’s an incredible way to experience Mongolian culture.

August is hot and a great time to escape north to higher elevations or to Lake Khovsgol, the second largest freshwater lake in Mongolia (after Lake Baikal).

September and October are just as wonderful but be prepared for cold nights. Ger camps start to close down for the season during this time, and some nomads begin moving towards their fall and winter camps.

Summer summary: Nights are chilly. The weather is dry, and usually in the 80s F. Overall, it’s a place where layers are your friend and you can adventure freely without delays. 

How to Get There

Getting to Mongolia from the US is, well, a journey. It’s going to take at least 24 hours, and you’ll have to go through Istanbul (my preference), Hong Kong, Beijing, Seoul, or Moscow. ( Note : these are all pre-Coronavirus flight patterns and not all of these routes may have reopened, so research accordingly.)

The country’s main international airport is located in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital. Though there’s a smaller international airport in Bayan Olgii, it’s mostly for “local” international flights out of Kazakhstan and Russia.

The main airlines that fly to Ulaanbaatar include Turkish Airlines, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Aeroflot, and Air China. Turkish Airlines is my airline of choice as flying through the new Istanbul airport offers plenty of food options and quiet corners for sleeping.

Aeroflot flights typically leave from New York City through Moscow, but I know more people than I’d like to tell you about who’ve lost their baggage on this route. If you’re heading out of the city shortly after landing, I’d recommend avoiding Aeroflot since it’s a bit of a process to recover lost luggage once in Ulaanbaatar.

From the west coast, flying through Seoul, Beijing, or Hong Kong are fairly good options. Layovers in Beijing or Hong Kong can be 12 hours, but if you’re on a budget, it usually offers a good fare.  

Where to Eat, Sleep, and Play in Ulaanbaatar

If you ask me, Ulaanbaatar is one of the most misunderstood cities in the world. It’s not exactly pretty at first glance. There’s an insane amount of traffic. Things don’t open early–or even on time. It’s a place–like the rest of Mongolia–where you have to go with the flow.

Service is slow (or nonexistent). Food quality is hit or miss. And complicated orders are a recipe for disaster (sorry vegans and eaters with dietary restrictions, this is not going to be an easy place for you).

But, when it comes to things to do in Ulaanbaatar, the possibilities are endless. It’s the hidden gems that really make this place stand out. No matter where you stay, most activities are either walking distance or a short taxi ride away. Plus, you’ll have to fly in and out of Ulaanbaatar regardless, so adding it to your Mongolia itinerary is non-negotiable.

Where to Stay:

• Budget: Zaya Hostel
• Mid: Holiday Inn
• Luxe: Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar

Search for more Ulaanbaatar hotels on Booking.com:

Where to Eat:

• La Rosa Tapas & Tequila Bar
• Rosewood Ulaanbaatar Kitchen + Enoteca
• ROC Caffeine Bars (Coffee)

Where to Play:

• Fat Cat Jazz Club
• MB Beer Plus
• Republik Pub

Quick Tips for Planning Your Mongolia Itinerary

Here are a few quick tips for planning your trip that will make your Mongolia itinerary run more smoothly:

Plan *almost* everything in advance

Mongolia is not a place to “wing it”. You won’t find hotels everywhere. Or water, for that matter. Wi-Fi won’t necessarily work once you leave the city. And don’t expect people to speak English.

Stock up on some solid gear

While I hate pushing gear on travelers, I’d recommend stocking up on some solid staples before leaving. You DO NOT need the best of the best to travel/hike/adventure/overland here, but it can get cold at night so a down puffer jacket is an absolute must.

A portable water purifier just might save your life. And never underestimate the power of quick-dry socks, a waterproof rain jacket and pants, and a knife.

Buy travel insurance

Just do it. Trust me. It personally saved me $3,000 when I broke my collarbone in Mongolia last summer.

[Note: For travel insurance, Live Like it’s the Weekend recommends World Nomads or SafetyWing for the best budget options with the most coverage. If you want to read more about my experience with travel insurance, click here ).

Three Bucket List Mongolia Itineraries for First Timers

Mongolia isn’t an easy place to plan for or explore on your own. Here are three ways to explore Mongolia without feeling overwhelmed, because these badasses have done the work for you.

How to Explore Mongolia by Motorcycle: Moto Trip Mongolia

Who this trip is perfect for: New and experienced motorcyclists looking to adventure in style.

I may be biased since I designed this trip with some friends, and I personally lead this adventure … but it’s good .

Along with the nomadic herders and translators we bring along who will open your eyes to Mongolian life and culture in one of the most unique ways possible, this experience will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about life, travel, and most importantly–yourself.

What to expect on a Moto Trip Mongolia itinerary :

• A vintage Ural motorcycle with sidecar (so, 2 riders per motorcycle– perfect for bringing a friend).
• A motorcycle driving experience that includes off-roading across the Mongolian steppe.
• All drivers must have a motorcycle license and proof of travel insurance. Riders in the sidecar do not need a motorcycle license but must have travel insurance. The tour is set up so that drivers and riders will switch throughout the trip, but if someone doesn’t want to drive (or doesn’t have a motorcycle license), that’s okay too–they can be the passenger the entire duration of the trip!
• While it is required that you have a motorcycle license for this trip, this is a great trip for new and beginner motorcyclists! These Urals are easy to manage since you’re on three wheels, and there isn’t much chance of a traffic accident out on the steppe–it’ll be just us out there!
• And I can’t forget to mention, this is a great trip for females since it’s led by me !
• All meals, accommodations, transportation, motorcycles, and fuel are included.
• The trip also includes a follow car for carrying luggage, a translator, and motorcycle mechanic who will repair and tune up the bikes all along the way.

Self-Drive Mongolia and Take a Photography Masterclass Along the Way: Follow the Tracks

Who this trip is perfect for: Self-sufficient explorers looking for great photos for the ‘gram.

I really, really like the Follow the Tracks model. It’s a self-driving tour plus a photography masterclass designed by Max Muench, a guy you’ve almost certainly seen (more like, stalked) on Instagram .

You can choose from a few different routes (I recommend the Gobi Desert one), all of which start and end in Ulaanbaatar. You’ll have your own rental car, car camp essentials, and an iPad loaded with everything you need to make the most of this go-at-your-own-pace adventure.

I recommend grabbing enough friends to do this trip with at least two cars so you can tow each other in case of any hairy situations. Plus, more people equal more fun.

What to expect from the Follow the Tracks experience:

• A rental car from Sixt Rent a Car will be waiting for you in Ulaanbaatar at the start of your trip.
• Each car has 4-wheel drive and is equipped with a rooftop tent for sleeping.
• The car will have a GPS system loaded onto an iPad for your use during your self-driving adventure. This iPad will also act as your photography masterclass workbook, pointing out the best spots to capture photos along the route, and the best camera settings to do so.
• Additionally, the car will have camping and kitchen equipment, but you are responsible for purchasing your own food–and fuel–for the duration of your trip. (I suggest stocking up on food in Ulaanbaatar before hitting the road. Once you reach the tiny soums (tiny villages) in the countryside, you never quite know what you’re going to find.)

Ride Reindeer and Learn the Ancient Tradition of Hunting with Eagles: Erik Cooper Adventures

Who this trip is perfect for: Equestrians looking to really embed themselves with Mongolia’s unique–and very remote–tribes.

Erik is the gateway to the Tsaatan Tribe and Kazakh eagle hunters (he’s also the reason I fell head over heels in love with Mongolia). He’s spent the last eight summers in Mongolia and his connections are truly the reason why his tours are the most immersive, unique, and bang-for-your-buck.

You are thrown into the lifestyle, into the steppe, and into everything Mongolia has (for better or worse) to offer, with a touch of boujee along the way. There isn’t anyone that I trust more in Mongolia–or with my life. You can tell him I said that.

What to expect on an Erik Cooper Adventures Mongolia itinerary:

• All meals, accommodations, and transportation included. A translator will also accompany you during the duration of the trip.
• You MUST be comfortable on a horse. Because there are no roads where you’re going, you’ll be riding semi-wild horses for two days just to get to the Tsaatan Tribe’s home on the taiga, for example. If you are inexperienced on a horse, or afraid of riding, this trip is not for you. Erik will vet you before the trip, so don’t expect to fake your way into this experience, it’s simply too dangerous to do that.
• Each of Erik’s trips is different. You never know if you’ll get to ride reindeer across a glacier, watch locals compete in a reindeer race, or watch on as Eagle Hunters battle in ancient Kazakh games. No matter which trip of Erik’s you join, each one is specially curated and pulls out all of the stops.

Hope to see you all in Mongolia. You know where to find me when you do.

Planning a trip right now don’t miss my go-to websites for booking everything from flights and tours, to accommodation and more:.

• Booking.com for the best hotel deals
• World Nomads for flexible travel insurance
• VRBO for awesome rentals
• Skyscanner for finding the best flight deals
• Hostelworld for budget accommodation
• Rentalcars.com for easy car rentals

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On the contrary, it’s very easy to eat vegan in Ulaanbaatar. There’s plenty of great vegan spots to eat there.

That’s helpful to know, Joe thank you. Can you share some of your favorite vegan spots and maybe we can update the post?

That’s an incredibly detailed and well thought out guide. Thank you

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The Ultimate Mongolia Travel Itinerary

Planning an independent trip to Mongolia is a challenging task. The tourist trail is not well developed and lack of information makes it hard to figure out a great Mongolia travel itinerary for first-time visitors.

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Unlike a lot of other places in Asia, you can’t just rock up in the country, pop into a travel agency and hop on a tour.

Our attempts to get information from our guest house resulted in an invitation to join their prepackaged tour. The set up didn’t sound like our cup of tea so we continued our search.

We wanted to pick our own route, set our own schedule, and explore the country on our own.

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It took us 3 days and many calls, messages and meetings to find a car and a driver (renting your own car in Mongolia is HIGHLY INADVISABLE) and with the help of an ex-guide and all-around wonderful local (who has now started her own company, Explore Mongolia), we finally managed to work out our own Mongolia itinerary that allowed us to see the most of the country .

To spare others the time and effort it took to pull together our Mongolia travel itinerary, we are sharing it below for others to enjoy!

3-Week Mongolia Itinerary

Ulaanbaatar: 2 days.

Start your Mongolia travel adventure by flying into Ulaanbaatar. Mongolia’s capital is an enormous fume-filled city that will excite you and shock you all at once.

UB (as the locals refer to it), is a mixed bag of old and new, of traditional and modern, of hope and despair. It’s busy, it’s chaotic, and it’s not tourist-friendly , but it’s the first stop of anyone traveling to Mongolia .

Despite the obvious lack of appeal, UB is a great place to start your Mongolia travel. It’s where you’ll want to stock up on anything you might have forgotten back home, sort out your trip arrangement, find travel buddies, and have a few last delicious meals (there won’t be too many of those once you get out into the countryside).

Don’t Miss: A visit to Chinggis Khaan Square and a meal at Namaste (UB’s best vegan restaurant).

Gorkhi-Terelj National Park: 2 days

It’s hard to believe that you can find unspoiled nature with great opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, and horseback riding just an hour outside of UB, but that’s exactly what you’ll find in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park.

The park is a favourite weekend getaway for many locals from UB and thus get very busy on weekends and during the holidays.

But plan your visit outside of the busy days and enjoy plenty of trails, side valleys and your first peek at the beauty of the Mongolian countryside. Ger camps are plentiful, so you can plan to spend a night or two inside the park or enjoy it on a day trip from UB .

Don’t Miss: The park’s biggest attraction, Turtle Rock , and a visit to the Aryapala Initiation and Meditation Centre set on a hill overlooking the park.

Baga Gazriin Chuluu: lunch stop

The road from UB to South Gobi is long and bumpy and Baga Gazriin Chuluu , a giant rock formation that seems to appear out of nowhere makes for a perfect stopover. There is a handy picnic site and plenty of space to explore this unique geological wonder.

Admire the prayer flags and views from the top of the rock formations and take a break from a bumpy ride at a convenient spot just a few hours south of UB.

Don’t Miss: Usan Bolortiin Agui Cave and a tiny fresh water spring , hidden beneath a rock. There is a ladle inside the rock to help you scoop up some water to splash on your face.

Tsagaan Suvraga (White Stupas): Sunset Spot

Located some 300 km south of Baga Gazriin Chuluu, along the highway to Dalanzadgad, Tsagaan Suvraga is another great unknown natural wonder found in the Gobi and well worth a stop on your Mongolia itinerary.

The site, also known as White Stupas , is a unique sand pinnacle formation and is another popular stop in Middle Gobi. There isn’t much to see other than the stupas themselves, but you could easily spend a few hours exploring the area.

Don’t Miss: Sunset at the White Stupas is especially beautiful. If you are traveling in your own vehicle and aren’t on someone else’s schedule, hang back and wait for the tour companies to leave (which they do shortly before sunset) so you can have the place all to yourself.

Yolin Am Valley (Ice Field): 2-3 days

Yolin Am Valley was probably one of our favourite destinations on our Mongolia travel itinerary, which is why we suggest spending a few extra days in the area. This spot is famous for its dramatic rocky cliffs and shade clad canyons that prevent ice from melting well into the summer.

The valley remains lush and green despite being located in the heart of the Gobi Desert.  Hikers and outdoor lovers from all over the world travel to Mongolia for this unique destination.

It’s possible to explore the gorge in a few hours but to walk the full length of the gorge (some 8-10kms), you’ll need to start at one end and get your driver to pick you up on the other side.

Don’t Miss: Keep your eyes peeled for ibexes that roam the gorge in the warmer months. They are tricky to spot and even harder to photograph!

Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes: 1-2 days

When you think of the Gobi Desert , you probably thinking of spectacular sand dunes and as you travel from UB to the Gobi, you’ll find yourself surprised to discover that the majority of the Gobi looks nothing like a sandy desert you have pictured.

Khongoryn Els, the largest and most well-known sand dunes in Mongolia, is the exception. At 300m high, 12 km wide and about 100km long, the sand dunes of Khongoryn Els are a force not to be reckoned with.

Climbing to the top of the dunes is possible, but the walk is not easy. The climb takes 45 minutes to 1 hour of an exhausting uphill battle.

Don’t Miss : Spectacular views of the desert from the sandy summit. Plan to start climbing the dunes 1.5-2 hours before sunset to give yourself plenty of time to reach the top before the sun kisses the horizon.

Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs): Stopover

After a night in the Khongoryn Els, the most logical route will take you through Bayangzag, an area of flaming orange sand dunes famous for dinosaur bones and eggs. It’s worth adding a stop to your Mongolia itinerary even if you are not a dinosaur fan.

There is not much to do here other than explore the sand dunes on foot or hire a camel to take you around. A few souvenir shops and drink stands are set up on the edges of the cliff, but that’s about the extent of civilization in this part of the Gobi.

Don’t Miss: A chance to help out the local community by purchasing a few handmade souvenirs.

Ongiin Khiid Buddhist Monastery: Stopover

A few centuries ago, Ongiin Khiid was one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia , but the complex was destroyed back in 1937, leaving behind a set of ruins that can be seen in the area today.

The ruins aren’t very impressive, but the area around the monastery is nice and has a number of ger camps which makes it for a nice stopover en route from the Gobi to Central Mongolia.

Don’t Miss: A chance to stay in a nice tourist ger camp! Since there aren’t too many of them in the Gobi, make sure to enjoy a hot shower (you don’t know when you might get your next one).

CENTRAL MONGOLIA

Kharkhorin: 2-3 days.

Once the capital of the Chinggis Khaan empire , Kharkhorin was completely destroyed in 1388 and rebuilt a few centuries later into what now is known Erdene Zuu Khiid (Monastery). Today, the town itself is nothing exciting, but the monastery itself is impressive and definitely worth a visit.

Don’t Miss: Kharkhorin also has a great selection of ger camps and a big supermarket which is an ideal place to restock for the next leg. If you are lucky, your ger camp might also have wifi.

Tsenkher Hot Springs: 2-3 days

Located less than 30 kms from the town of Tsetseleg, Tesnkher Hot Springs is an up and coming Mongolia travel destination for both local and international tourists.

These natural hot springs are set between rolling hills clad with pine forests and green pastures, creating a beautiful natural setting for a few relaxing days.

And while the natural springs aren’t really set up for public enjoyment, there are four tourist ger camps surrounding the springs that pump water into their own hot spring pools allowing you to enjoy the health benefits of the springs just steps away from your ger.

Don’t Miss: The forested hills of the surrounding area offer lots of opportunities for hikes and nature walks, so make sure you warm up your muscles with a hike before jumping in those hot springs.

Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake (White Lake): 2 days

This freshwater lake spans 16 km and offers beautiful views from the numerous ger camps dotted along its shores.

There isn’t much to do at the lake other than exploring on foot, enjoying the peaceful beauty of the lake and sharing some yak milk with the families running the ger camps, but that’s part of the appeal.

Don’t Miss: A chance to climb to the top of Khorgo Uul , a 200m tall extinct volcano located just outside the town of Tariat en route to the lake.

Shine-Ider: 1 day

This tiny town has no reason to be a Mongolia travel highlight, but for us, the unmissable destination was a tourist ger camp , located some 5-10km outside of town.

Set in a small valley, the camp had the nicest gers and facilities we had come across on our Mongolia itinerary and the hospitality of the local family running the camp was unlike any other.

Don’t Miss: An opportunity to join the nomad family herding nearby for some early morning yak milking.

NORTHERN MONGOLIA

Khovsgol nuur (lake): 2-3 days.

Khovsgol Lake will be the most Northern stop on the Mongolian itinerary. This beautiful area is known for thick forests, rivers, mountains and a beautiful lake with crystal clear waters. While the lake never really gets warm enough for Khovsgol to become a beach destination, the area is perfect for hiking and horseback riding .

Most gers are located on the Western side of the lake, where hiking trails are limited and the only way to get around the beautiful forests is by horse, but travelers also report opportunities for a more off the beaten path hiking/horseback riding experience in the East.

Don’t Miss: A chance to explore the forest by horse , as the opportunities to hike on foot are limited.

Have More Time to Spare?

Adventurous travelers and those with lots of time on their hands may wish to continue their Mongolia travel by venturing further north, where pockets of remote ethnic communities still exist to this day.

The reindeer herders (the Tsaantan people) are gaining particular interest among those traveling to Mongolia , but an authentic low-impact trip to their region requires both time (at least 10 days), money ($1,000+/pp), and many days on horseback (there are simply no roads to get up there).

The rest may choose to end their trip in Khovsgol, returning to UB via Bulgan or Erdenet in the North. These towns have no sights or attractions and serve as mere stopping points on your Mongolia itinerary to break up the long drive back to UB, although they do offer an insight into the life of smaller towns outside of the capital.

Short on Time?

It is possible to check out all the destinations on this Mongolia itinerary in just 2 weeks , by cutting out additional days and moving to a new destination every 1-2 days.

Unfortunately, this will make for a VERY exhausting trip as roads in the Mongolian countryside are bad (and in many cases, nonexistent) and distances are much longer than they appear to be on the map.

Essential Mongolia Travel Info 

Traveling to mongolia.

Fly into Ulanbataar to start your trip and organize transport and provisions for the rest of your time in Mongolia. Direct flights to UB are available from Beijing, Seoul and Moscow and start at $150-200 each way.

Alternatively, you may consider taking a train from Beijing, which runs as a part of the Trans Mongolian Railway system. Tickets are $270USD per person and the journey from Beijing takes 36 hours.

Getting Around Mongolia

Assuming that you are looking to experience the above itinerary independently, we recommend hiring a driver to take you around the country and get you safely to all the stops on your Mongolia travel itinerary. Driving in Mongolia is tough. Very tough. The roads are bad and drives are exhausting, and even experienced drivers (like ours) can easily get lost in the vast steppe of Mongolian countryside.

A comfortable car and a driver that’s familiar with the route will make a huge difference in your Mongolia travel experience. Expect to pay anywhere between $50-75 per car, plus drivers allowance for meals/accommodation,and gas. Less experienced drivers or those that don’t speak any English will be willing to accept a lower rate and will save their accommodation allowance by sleeping in their cars.

Where to Stay

Unless you book your trip with a tour company (prepare to pay a LOT more for the convenience), you won’t be able to pre-book accommodation along the way. Most of the ger camps do not have websites or emails, and they don’t take reservations. It’s another reason why a local driver (who also speaks a bit of English) is essential for this type of trip. They’ll need to know where the ger camps are and be able to call ahead to reserve you a bed/ger on the day of your arrival.

What to Pack/Bring for your Mongolia Travel

Aside from the usual clothing, camera equipment and other travel accessories, it is advised to bring a sleeping bag (as some gers do not provide any bedding or blankets), a gas stove (which you can buy at a supermarket in UB along with propane canisters),  a solar charger (electricity isn’t always available), and to always carry a supply of food to last you a few days (canned food, bread, peanut butter/jam, muesli and fruits/veggies work great and can be easily restocked in any small town along the way). Food will be available for sale at ger camps, but if you plan on staying at any family gers, it’s best not to rely on their provisions for meals .

Ready for 3 weeks in Mongolia? Let us know your thoughts on traveling to Mongolia in the comment section below!

About the author.

Oksana & Max St John

16 thoughts on “the ultimate mongolia travel itinerary”.

Thank you for your blog on Mongolia. I need your help since I am planning a 2 weeks in Mongolia in July this year. Since your iternary was for 3 weeks can you help me with places I can avoid and reduce it to 2 weeks. Please also let me know how did you make the booking for car and driver. Please provide me contact number if you have and also help provide me cost. Since I am backpacking and cost is major concern for me.

Thanks in advance

If you only have 2 weeks, we would suggest cutting out the North (Khovsgol Lake), as it takes a long time to get to the lake and back to the city. In terms of hiring a driver, we have yet to write a post about the process as it was a bit complicated, but in short, we suggest reaching out to our friend Shine ( https://www.facebook.com/ExploreMongolians/ ) who helped us organize the trip. We paid $35/person, which included a car with a driver and ger accommodation along the way. However, there was 4 of us in the car, so the cost will likely be higher if you are traveling on your own.

Thank you for this great post. Can you clarify the cost of $35 / person for 4 people was for how many days? Thank you in advance for your help!

It was $35/person per day for 4 people and a 2-week itinerary. You might find prices per car per day or if you are organizing a tour similar to ours, the price will be per person per day.

Thank you so much. Very helpful. Happy new year!

Hi, Great content! I was wondering if you can share more about the car rental and why it took so long (3 days)? Also, please share about the accommodations, you say it is impossible to book in advance? So does this mean your itinerary is somewhat a private tour? Also, if possible, the cost? Thank you so much Monch

The reason the planning took so long was because we wanted a very custom and budget-friendly tour. We met with a couple of drivers to discuss potential routes and prices. Some had unreliable cars, some asked for too much money, some didn’t want to take on the route. We eventually ended up with a private tour for 4 people (us another couple) and we paid $35/pp/day each. The budget included transport and accommodation. The gers were impossible to book in advance because we stayed in very local, small family run gers. They had no websites and often no phone number that could be used to reserve a stay. We simply drove up to the camp and stayed if they had room. If they didn’t have room, we would drive to the next camp and try there.

Hi Oksana and Max.

Thanks so much for your time and effort. You really have given me some great steps and things to think about.

I am researching for myself and 2 mates for next June to August -max 3 weeks. I’ve been talking to a few people with advise on when Nadaam is and yo decide whether that is a priorirty of if another less busy time of year woud be better. Ive been adbised Aug is a great time as well. What are yiur thoughts? I defo had plans to do alot of what is in your itinerary but a driver for the entire journey sounds like a plan – esp if between 3 of us. We were gonna get a driver for the Gobi but it makes more sense for the long term. Tganjs for your time and hope to speak soon.

Regards -Jeff

Traveling to Mongolia during Nadaam is meant to be a great experience. We missed it, unfortunately, so we can’t comment on how that would impact the trip, but do keep in mind that it is the busiest time in Mongolia and will bring its own challenges with accommodation. If you do end up going for Nadaam, we would strongly recommend booking your accommodation in advance.

Why is it ‘highly unrecommended’ to rent your own car in Mongolia?

Well, first of all, we didn’t come across an option to rent a car. And after seeing how much our local driver struggled with driving off road without any signs or directions, we wouldn’t even dare to try that ourselves.

Hello, thank you for your reply. I thought you’d write that your car would be broken into or stolen, or roadside criminals / robbers could hit on you. Have you heard any of such incidents? I looked on Priceline and there are many options to rent cars from Ulanbataar airport but that’s only how far I’ve gotten so far in looking into rentals. Prices are way better than renting in the US for sure so that didn’t scare me but if a guide would be recommended otherwise to be protected from criminal incidents that’s a different story… do you have any insights on that please?

Hi Bela, No, we have not heard of any incidents involving robberies or criminals. Mongolia is a very safe and friendly country and we did not experience locals treating visitors with anything but incredible hospitality and kindness. The reason why it is not a good idea to drive yourself in Mongolia is because navigating the Mongolian countryside is VERY VERY challenging. In the Gobi desert, there are literally no roads and even our local driver had a tough time navigating from one attraction to another. You would also want a local on board to help arrange your stays in ger camps along the way, as there is no way to book these online and no way for you to successfully communicate with local hosts in English. If you need help with arranging a tour or driver/car while in Mongolia, we recommend that you reach out to Shinechimeg from Explore Mongolia ( https://www.facebook.com/ExploreMongolians/ ). She helped us arrange our trip and will be able to help you with yours.

Hi Guys, Do you know the correct contact details for Explore Mongolia? There are two website operating with this name, so I am not sure which is the one you have referenced in the post above. Thankyou 🙂

Yes, you can contact Shinshemeg through https://www.facebook.com/ExploreMongolians/

yes, you did a great adventure travelling in Mongolia. I organize budget tours around Mongolia too.

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