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Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
CNN
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Because of its remoteness and short summer season, Mongolia has long been an overlooked destination for travelers.
But as the country moves to open up further to tourism by easing entry requirements for international visitors and upgrading its infrastructure, 2023 may be the time. still best to get there.
Here are 10 reasons why travelers should start planning their long trip to Mongolia now.
With the Mongolian government declaring 2023 through 2025 the “Years to visit Mongolia,” citizens of an additional 34 countries can visit the country without a visa by the end of 2025.
The addition of several European countries, including Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain, and the UK, as well as Australia and New Zealand, now gives the total number of countries and territories on the visa-free list to 61.
The full list is here.
After years of delays, a pandemic and numerous controversies, the newly constructed Chinggis Khaan International Airport opened in the summer of 2021.
With the capacity to handle around 3 million passengers per year (double that of the old airport), the addition of 500 new aircraft parking spaces and the infrastructure to support growth in domestic flights as well as budget, the airport is a good addition. the country’s efforts to grow tourism.
Budget flights to Hong Kong from EZNIS Airways have been relaunched since the airport opened, and talks are reportedly underway to resume direct flights to the United States. – start.
The recently opened Chinggis Khaan Museum provides a beautiful, fresh look at Mongolia’s turbulent history.
With more than 10,000 artifacts spanning 2,000 years, the museum explores the history of the Mongols and the empire they created – and eventually lost.
The museum’s artefacts are displayed over eight floors, with six permanent exhibition halls and two temporary exhibition halls. Guided tours in English are offered every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm for free.
When most people think of Mongolia, music festivals and conservation-focused art centers in the heart of one of the world’s largest deserts are the last things that come to mind.
But that’s all changing thanks to festivals like Playtime, Spirit of Gobi, INTRO Electronic Music Festival and Kharkhorum 360 Art and Music Experience.
Combining international bands, DJs, and musicians from around the world with Mongolia’s eclectic mix of rappers, bands, and folk singers, the country just might 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 100th anniversary, 2023 is as good a time as ever to to be present
While the origins of the festival are rooted in the days of Genghis Khan, when he used horse racing, wrestling and archery competitions to keep his warriors in shape between battles, Naadam never officially became a holiday. national but 100 years ago.
Today, the festival – held in Ulaanbaatar at the National Sports Stadium – has a few more bells and whistles than it did in the days of the Great Khan.
A seat at the July 11 opening ceremony is always one of the hardest tickets to score in town.
Archery is seeing a revival in Mongolia thanks to guys like Altankhuyag Nergui, one of the sport’s most accomplished archers and his archery academy, Namnaa.
Here, locals learn the basics of Mongolian archery before mounting a horse and taking their new skills to the next level.
During the summer, students and academy members hold weekly performances for interested viewers. The academy also offers day-long training sessions for those who want to try this intense sport.
Speaking of bringing life to Mongolia’s oldest traditions, the revival of Mongol bichig, or the traditional Mongolian script written from top to bottom and read from left to right, has been revived seen a lot 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, check out the yurts filled with Tamir’s handiwork.
Pair the launch of Husqvarna’s new Norden 901 Expedition motorcycle with the newly announced Nomadic Off-Road Eagle Hunter Tour, and you’ve got one of the fastest adventures in Mongolia.
The ride takes six riders 1,700 kilometers from Ulaanbaatar to Bayan-Ulgii, where riders will 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 handler Joel Rauzy has been leading dog walks across 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, winter in Mongolia is another thing to see and be seen.
Rauzy’s company, Wind of Mongolia, offers tours around the lake, where each person gets their own sled and dogs for the trip. Following Rauzy’s lead, mushers will make a loop of the lake. Activities include ice fishing, while travelers stay in a winter yurt and spend time with nomadic families along the way.
Located in the heart of the Selenge province on the Yeruu River, Yeruu Lodge is the brainchild of Norwegian founder Eirik Gulsrud Johnsen, who first visited Mongolia in 2017.
With a small Scandinavian-style restaurant and dining area, a handful of fully equipped yurts for guests to stay in, two pétanque courts, kayaks, a driving range, mountain bikes and a yoga area, the lodge is a destination for people who loves nature.
Completely off the grid, the lodge runs off solar panels, uses thermal heating, and all of the property’s water comes from a well on the property and is recycled after use.
In addition, all glass, metal and plastic used at the lodge is also recycled, and food waste is turned into compost to grow vegetables, berries and herbs on site.
The lodge is expected to open in April 2023.
