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Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
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Due to its remoteness and short summer season, Mongolia has long been an overlooked destination for travelers.
But as the country moves towards greater openness to tourism, easing entry conditions for international visitors and improving its infrastructure, 2023 could be the best time to get there.
Here are 10 reasons why travelers should start planning their long-awaited visit to Mongolia now.
Since the Mongolian government has declared 2023 to 2025 the “Years to Visit Mongolia,” citizens of 34 additional countries can now visit the country visa-free until the end of 2025.
The addition of several European countries, including Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as Australia and New Zealand, now brings the total number of countries and territories on the visa exemption list to 61.
The full list is here.
After years of delays, a pandemic, and several controversies, the newly built Chinggis Khaan International Airport finally opened its doors in summer 2021.
With the capacity to handle approximately 3 million passengers a year (double that of the old airport), the addition of 500 new aircraft parking spaces and the infrastructure to support an increase in domestic and economy flights, the airport is a welcome addition to the country's efforts to grow tourism.
Since the airport's opening, budget flights to Hong Kong from EZNIS Airways have relaunched and talks are reportedly underway to resume direct flights to the United States.
The recently opened Chinggis Khaan Museum offers a beautiful and fresh look at Mongolia's tumultuous history.
With more than 10,000 artifacts spanning more than 2,000 years, the museum explores the history of the Mongols and the empire they created and ultimately lost.
The museum's artifacts are presented on eight floors, with six permanent and two temporary exhibition rooms. Guided tours in English are offered every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm for free.
When most people think of Mongolia, the last thing that comes to mind is music festivals and art installations focused on conservation in the heart of one of the world's largest deserts.
But that's all changing thanks to festivals like Playtime, Spirit of Gobi, INTRO Electronic Music Festival and Kharkhorum 360 Visual Art & Music Experience.
Placing international bands, DJs and musicians from around the world alongside Mongolia's eclectic mix of rappers, bands and folk singers, the country could be one of the most underrated places in the world for festival lovers.
The annual Naadam event has always been a great reason to visit Mongolia, but now that the festival has just celebrated its centenary, 2023 is a great time to attend.
While the festival's origins have their roots in the days of Genghis Khan, when he used horse racing, wrestling and archery competitions to keep his warriors in shape between battles, Naadam only officially became a national holiday 100 years ago. years.
Today, the festival, held in Ulaanbaatar at the National Sports Stadium, has a few more bells and whistles than during the days of the Great Khan.
A seat for the July 11 opening ceremony is always one of the hardest tickets to get in the city.
Try your hand at Mongolian-style archery
Mounted archery is making a resurgence in Mongolia thanks to guys like Altankhuyag Nergui, one of the top archers in the sport, and his archery academy, Namnaa.
Here, locals learn the fundamentals of Mongolian archery before riding horses and taking their new skills to the next level.
In the summer months, students and members of the academy organize weekly shows for interested spectators. The academy also offers day-long training sessions for those who want to try this intense sport.
Speaking of bringing Mongolia's oldest traditions to life, the resurrection of Mongolian bichig, or traditional Mongolian writing written from top to bottom and read from left to right, has also seen a major resurgence in recent years.
Visit the Erdenesiin Khuree Mongolian Calligraphy Center in Karakorum to learn from master calligrapher Tamir Samandbadraa Purev about this important cultural heritage. And, while you're there, explore the yurts filled with Tamir's works.
Combine the launch of Husqvarna's new Norden 901 Expedition motorcycle with Nomadic Off-Road's recently announced Eagle Hunter Tour and you have one of the fastest adventures in Mongolia.
The tour takes six cyclists 1,700 kilometers from Ulaanbaatar to Bayan-Ulgii, where they finally meet their hosts, Mongolia's famous eagle hunters.
The only thing faster than this adventure is the rate at which Nomadic Off-Road tours sell out.
Professional musher Joel Rauzy has been leading dog sled tours on the frozen Khuvsgul Lake for 18 years.
With fewer crowds, lower hotel rates, and the chance to see one of the world's largest freshwater lakes completely frozen over, winter in Mongolia is something else to see and experience.
Rauzy's company, Wind of Mongolia, offers tours of the lake, where each person is assigned their own sled and dogs for the trip. Following Rauzy's example, the mushers will tour the lake. Activities include ice fishing, while travelers stay in winterized yurts and spend time with nomadic families along the journey.
Scandinavian design comes to Mongolia at Yeruu Lodge
Located in the heart of Selenge province, on the Yeruu River, Yeruu Lodge is the brainchild of Norwegian founder Eirik Gulsrud Johnsen, who visited Mongolia for the first time in 2017.
With a minimalist Scandinavian-style restaurant and dining room, a handful of fully equipped yurts for guests to stay in, two bocce courts, kayaks, a driving range, mountain bikes and a yoga area, the lodge is a destination for nature lovers.
Completely off-grid, the lodge is powered by solar panels, uses thermal heating, and all of the property's water comes from a well on the property and is recycled after use.
Additionally, all glass, metal and plastic used in the lodge is also recycled and food waste is turned into compost which is used to grow vegetables, berries and herbs on site.
The hostel will open its doors in April 2023.
