What to see: Attractions in Mongolia

Regions of Mongolia

This page details the regions of Mongolia, the aimags and towns, and provides an inbtroduction to each region. For detailed information about the attractions to be found in each aimag simply click on the corresponding link and you will be whisked off to discover the wonders of that aimag.

For ease, Mongolia can be divided into five distinct regions according to culture and geography, these are the Northern, Central, Southern, Eastern and Western regions. Officially the country is divided into 22 unique provinces, (known locally as aimags), with one city or town acting as the local administrative centre.

Ulaaanbaatar, as the capital city, is classed as a special municipality and is governed independently of any other aimag.

The Mongolian Capital City
Ulaanbaatar, Central Mongolia

The Mongolian people are patriotic and proud, holding their country in high regard, as with its capital Ulaanbaatar. The city can be referred to as Ulan Bator or simply UB, but in Mongolian the name Ulaanbaatar translates literally as ‘Red Hero’. With a population in excess of 1 million people, it is estimated that one third of Mongolians reside in and around the capital, drawn in by the lights and new ways to forge a living.

To find out about attractions in Ulaanbaatar follow this link: Attractions in Ulaanbaatar

Central Mongolia

A short distance outside Ulaanbaatar the sacred Tuul River, meanders gently through the Mongolian countryside. Already there is a sense of having escaped into the wilderness as an expanse of open grasslands opens up before you.

The central region consists of gentle mountain ranges, dense forests, waterfalls, lakes and vast areas of grassland.

One can escape Ulaanbaatar to discover Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of Mongolia or arrange a trip to the gers and natural wonders of Gorkhi-Terelj National Park.

Province		Aimag town
Arkhangai		Tsetserleg
Uvurkhangai		Arvaikheer
Tuv		Zuunmod
Govi-Sumber		Choir

Northern Mongolia

Northern Mongolia is home to large numbers of wild animals such as reindeer and bears. The landscape is made up of heavily forested mountain ranges and areas of open grassland.

The wonderful Amarbayasgalant monastery is located in Selenge aimag, and provides visitors with insights regarding the lives of Buddhist monks in Mongolia. A region of undeniable natural beauty, Lake Khuvsgol in Orkhon aimag, has become known as the ‘Blue Pearl’ of Mongolia. A great fishing spot and the site of the Mongolian ice festival; the lake is the second largest body of fresh water in the world after Lake Baikal in Siberia.

In the forested mountains of the Taiga, Tsaatan tribe make their living as nomads reliant on reindeers to maintain their traditional lifestyle.

Province		Aimag town
Kuvsgul		Murun
Bulgan		Bulgan
Selenge		Such-Baatar
Darkhan Uul		Darkhan
Orkhon		Erdenet

Southern Mongolia

The Gobi Desert extends throughout the south of Mongolia; it is the fifth largest desert in the world. Many people are led to believe that the Gobi is an area of vast unending sand dunes, however this is simply not true. The desert consists mostly of dark gravel, and only 3% of the total area conforms to the traditional image of a sand sea. There are even a number of ice filled valleys to be sought out in the wilderness. Still the area of most interest to the visiting tourist is usually the sand dunes and these can be found along Mongolia’s southern border, visits can be easily arranged from Ulaanbaatar.

In the harsh environment of the desert the climate can vary unbelievably between +40 to -40°C and frequent sandstorms batter the countryside. This can make travel through the south a slow and uncomfortable affair. Despite the impossible temperature range and inhospitable conditions the Gobi is not devoid of settlements, which can found widely scattered across the desert.

In recent years the Gobi desert has been highlighted as a hotspot for fossil hunters and there are sights of paleontological sights that may be of great interest to the regions visitors.

Province		Aimag town
Govi-Altai		Altai
Bayan Khongor		Bayan-Khongor
Umnugovi		Dalanzadgad
Dundgovi		Mandalgobi
Dornogovi		Sainshand

Eastern Mongolia

Vast plains of the Asian Steppe stretch as far as the eye can see, disappearing into the skyline, broken by the occasional ger and herds of bounding gazelles. An unspoilt grassland remains mostly unvisited, as it is off the normal travel routes. This has made it of particular interest to biologists. Chinggis Khaan is claimed to have grown up in Dadal, a small town in the Khan Khentii mountains.

Province		Aimag town
Khentii		Undurkhan
Dornod		Choibalsang
Sukhbaatar		Bamun-Urt

Western Mongolia

Glacial Altai mountains dominate a landscape of wild heath lands, grand lakes and deserts to the south. Bayan-Ulgii province borders Russia and China, but is also a short distance from the border of Kazakhstan. Traditional cultures have been preserved in the region due to the isolated setting. This provides an excellent opportunity for visitors to experience a great mishmash of cultures including Kazakhs, Dorvods, Khotons, Myangads and Khalkh Mongols.

Of particular interest, the Golden Eagle festival is a traditional meeting of Kazakhs in Bayan-Ulgii province, held to preserve the ancient traditions of the region. This makes for an awe inspiring opportunity to observe the Kazakhs participating in hunting games with their magnificent birds.

Province		Aimag town
Bayan-Ulgii		Ulgii
Khovd		Khovd
Uvs		Ulaangom
Zavkhan		Uliastai