Discover a World of Colorful History in Mongolia

DISCOVER A WORLD OF COLORFUL HISTORY IN MONGOLIA

OVERVIEW
Mongolia is not the first place people think of when considering vacation places; however, this Central Asian country is a fascinating land filled with historical sites and natural wonders. The Gobi desert dominates the south/southeast while the mountainous west/southwest includes Khuten Peak which reaches a height of 14,350 feet. The 603,909-square-mile Republic is sparsely populated with roughly 45 percent of its 2.75 million people living in the capital city.

ULAANBAATAR
Mongolia’s capital city is an entrancing blend of old and new. Contemporary cars share the streets with cattle and horseback riders while contemporary buildings sit near “Gers” (traditional dwellings of round, felt tents mounted on wooden floors). Tourist attractions include:
1) GANDAN MONASTERY, Mongolia’s largest functioning Buddhist monastery. The elaborate temple houses a 85.3-foot, two-ton, glided and bejeweled statue of Migjid Janraisig.
2) BOGD KHAN PALACE, an ornate complex that was the home of Mongolia’s last king.
3) MUSEUMS of Natural History, Fine Arts, and National History.
4) SHOPPING, especially for quality cashmere, camel wool products, paintings, and handicrafts.

HISTORICAL SITES
1) KHARKORUM, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire, was founded by Genghis Kahn in 1220. The impressive ruins include huge granite turtles that once guarded the city.
2) KHUVSGUL, “the land of Tsaatan Reindeer Herdsmen,” provides a rare look into the past. Forty-two nomadic families maintain a social organization based on totemic rituals/symbols and Shamanistic healing that has remained unchanged since the Ice Age.
3) MONASTERY RUINS dot the countryside. A temple at MANZUSHIR MONASTERY, built in 1733 and destroyed by the Communists in 1733, has been restored.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS.
Mongolia boasts 88.59-foot-high Orhon Waterfalls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as three national parks that offer activities like river rafting, horseback treks, hiking/biking trails, and wintertime skiing.