Mongolia Travel Guide: Attractions, Cultural Immersions, Hotels, Food, Itineraries, etc.

Mongolia (Mongolian: Монгол улс, English: Mongolia), located in central Asia between China and Russia, is a landlocked country bordered by these two nations.

The capital and largest city is Ulaanbaatar. The main ethnic group is the Khalkha Mongols, making up about 80% of the population, with other ethnic minorities such as the Kazakhs. The official language is Mongolian. The majority of the population practices Tibetan Buddhism. Mongolia has a land area of 1.5665 million square kilometers, and the capital Ulaanbaatar has a population of about 3.5 million (as of December 2023). The country is divided into one capital city and 21 provinces.

With a land area of 1.5665 million square kilometers, Mongolia is the 19th largest country in the world and the second-largest landlocked country after Kazakhstan. Mongolia has little arable land, with most of the territory covered by grasslands. The northern and western regions are mountainous, while the southern part is the Gobi Desert. Approximately 30% of the population engages in nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyles.

Mongolia is sparsely populated and vast in territory, with well-preserved natural landscapes. It is one of the few countries in the world that retains a nomadic culture, offering significant potential for tourism development. The peak tourist season is from June to August.

Cuisine

Mongolian cuisine is influenced by Russian culture. It is customary to remove one's coat before entering a restaurant as a sign of respect. Loud conversations are not allowed during meals. Men are expected to pull out chairs for women to sit first. The dishes are often Westernized.

Culture and Customs

Mongolians consider it taboo for others to touch their head or hat. It is respectful to hand things to others using the right hand. For formal meetings or shared meals, people should dress neatly; men should wear suits and ties, while women should wear makeup and jewelry. When seeing guests off, hosts do not need to step outside.

Festivals

Mongolians value their festivals. Besides official holidays, they also celebrate Western holidays such as Valentine's Day and Christmas with great enthusiasm.

July 11-13: Naadam Festival

Held in Ulaanbaatar, it features traditional sports such as horse racing, wrestling, and archery.