Alright, so you’re curious about Mongolia, wondering what there is to actually lay your eyes on. I get it. Before I went, I had these images in my head, mostly from documentaries, you know? Endless grass, guys on horses. Well, let me tell you what I actually ended up seeing on my trip there.
First Stop: Ulaanbaatar – Not What I Pictured
I flew into Ulaanbaatar, or UB as everyone calls it. And man, that city was a jolt. First thing I saw was traffic, lots of it, and a real mix of old soviet-style buildings and shiny new ones popping up. It wasn’t some sleepy town, that’s for sure. I spent a few days just walking around, trying to get a feel for the place. The Sükhbaatar Square is massive, and you can’t miss the big statues. I made my way to the Gandantegchinlen Monastery. It was pretty impressive, monks chanting, prayer wheels spinning. You see these pockets of tradition right in the middle of all the modern hustle.
I also checked out a museum or two. The National Museum of Mongolia was decent, gave me some background before I headed out into the countryside. Saw some dinosaur bones there, which was pretty cool, a little teaser for the Gobi, I guess.
Heading Out: The Real Deal Begins
Then, the real adventure started. We got ourselves a driver and a van – you kinda need one to get around – and left UB. And that’s when you start to see what Mongolia is really about. The city just… ends. And then it’s just open space. Miles and miles of it. It’s a bit overwhelming at first, in a good way.
The Gobi: More Than Just Sand
Our first big target was the Gobi Desert. I thought it would be all sand dunes, but it’s way more varied.
- We went to Yolyn Am, this ice canyon. Yeah, ice, in the desert! Even in summer, there was still some ice tucked away in the shady bits. I saw vultures, or lammergeiers, soaring overhead.
- Then there was Bayanzag, the Flaming Cliffs. They called it that because of how red the rocks get at sunset. We scrambled around there, imagining finding dinosaur eggs like Roy Chapman Andrews did. Didn’t find any, but the views were something else.
- And of course, the Khongoryn Els sand dunes. These things are huge, proper massive singing dunes. I tried climbing one. Let me tell you, it’s a workout. Sinking in with every step. But getting to the top, seeing the sunset over the desert… yeah, that was worth it. And yes, I did the camel ride. A bit bumpy, a bit smelly, but you gotta do it, right? You see the Bactrian camels, the two-hump ones, just wandering around.
Steppe Life and Green Spaces
After the Gobi, we headed north, into the grasslands, the steppe. This was more like the classic image I had. Rolling green hills, herds of horses, sheep, goats. We stayed in a few ger camps. Living in a ger, even for a night or two, that’s an experience. Pretty basic, no fancy plumbing, but incredibly cozy. And the stars at night! With no city lights, you see the Milky Way so clearly it feels like you could touch it.
I remember visiting a nomadic family. They invited us in for milk tea and some dried curd. Super hospitable people. You see how tough their life is, but also how connected they are to the land and their animals.
We also spent some time in Terelj National Park, which is not too far from UB. It’s got these amazing rock formations, like Turtle Rock. Did some hiking there. It’s greener, more trees, a nice contrast to the Gobi. Saw a lot of yaks too, which was cool.
So, What Do You See?
So, what to see in Mongolia? It’s not just a checklist of places. Sure, you see monasteries, deserts, mountains, lakes (we didn’t make it to Khövsgöl Lake, but I hear it’s stunning). But what you really see is the vastness, the incredible emptiness that’s somehow full of life. You see a way of life that’s centuries old, still going. You see the sky, man, so much sky. It’s a place that gets under your skin. Not always comfortable, sometimes the food is… an adventure in itself. But you definitely see things that’ll stick with you. That’s what I saw, anyway.
