16 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Mongolia - Atlas Obscura

Unusual
Attractions
in Mongolia

You can stand on top of the horse's head.

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Genghis Khan Statue Complex

Enormous statue of the Emperor of the Mongols.

47.8075, 107.5304

Added by PaperTiger

The takhi is the world's last truly wild horse.

Khustain Nuruu National Park

The grassy landscape is home to the world's last truly wild horses.

47.7637, 105.8787

Added by Max Cortesi

(Flickr/mana_wu)

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

The Zaisan Memorial

A huge communist-era propaganda monument and mural that offers stunning views of the Mongolian capital.

47.8840, 106.9139

Temple at Erdene Zuu in winter.

Kharkhorin, Mongolia

Erdene Zuu

The oldest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia has survived centuries of invasions, political shifts, and religious purges.

47.2016, 102.8432

Added by Max Cortesi

The Shambala.

Urgun, Mongolia

Khamriin Khiid

Mongolian Buddhists believe this monastery in the Gobi desert to be the center of the world's spiritual energy.

44.5974, 110.2734

Added by Max Cortesi

"Simple" six-piece burr puzzles.

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

International Intellectual and Puzzle Museum

An institution dedicated to curiosity, logic, riddles, and Mongolia's long history of puzzles.

47.9175, 106.9418

Added by Mr Bucket

Shammar, Mongolia

The Mother Tree

This spiritual landmark for practicers of Shamanism is drenched in milk and vodka and covered in blue scarves.

50.1533, 106.2017

Added by Max Cortesi

The ovoos are made from lava rocks

Tariat, Mongolia

Ovoos at Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake

A jagged silhouette of shamanistic stone heaps rises from the shore of this dazzling mile-high lake.

48.1769, 99.8074

Added by Max Cortesi

See All 16 Things to Do in Mongolia See All 16 Places

Atlas Obscura Trips

Wander Mongolia: Blue Skies and Endless Steppe

Jun 30—Jul 11, 2019

Adventure across the vast Mongolian landscape, riding horseback on the steppe and hiking into the taiga. Spend your nights in ger camps and witness the country's liveliest national festival.

Unique
Food & Drink
in Mongolia

Kumis

Gastro Obscura

Kumis

Infants and Genghis Khan enjoyed this fermented mare's milk.

Gastro Obscura

Added by rachelrummel

Ul Boov

Gastro Obscura

Ritual & Medicinal

Ul Boov

Mongolia's "shoe sole cake" has the ritual significance of a Christmas tree or family shrine.

Gastro Obscura

Added by Anne Ewbank

Boodog

Gastro Obscura

Boodog

To travel light, Mongolian warriors used animal carcasses as crockery.

Gastro Obscura

Added by rachelrummel

Are we missing a unique food or drink in Mongolia?

Explore Mongolia

Mongolia Leaderboard

Places Added

Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent Mongolia Activity

courtneyebrooks wants to go to Erdene Zuu

courtneyebrooks wants to go to Khustain Nuruu National Park

courtneyebrooks wants to go to Genghis Khan Statue Complex

jensloms97 wants to go to Ovoos at Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake

Maddisonrosie wants to go to Flaming Cliffs

Stories
About Mongolia

A reconstruction of <em>Halszkaraptor escuilliei</em>, an amphibious dinosaur discovered in Mongolia.

Found: A Dinosaur With Features Borrowed From Swans, Penguins, and Crocs

It's so unique that paleontologists initially doubted its authenticity.

by Vittoria Traverso

December 07, 2017

The Transcendental Ritual of Mongolian Camel Coaxing May Soon Be Lost Forever

Khuus, khuus, khuus.

by Natasha Frost

August 31, 2017

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