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Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
CNN
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Mongola has been overlooked by travelers for a long time because of its remoteness and short summer season.
However, Mongolia is now opening up more to tourism by making it easier for international visitors to enter the country and improving its infrastructure.
Here are 10 reasons why travelers should start planning their long-awaited trip to Mongolia in 2023.
The government of Mongolia has declared 2023 through 2025 as the “Years to Visit Mongolia,” allowing citizens from an additional 34 countries to visit visa-free until the end of 2025.
Several European countries, including Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain, and the UK, as well as Australia and New Zealand, have been added to the visa-exempt list, bringing the total number of countries and territories to 61.
You can find the full list of visa-exempt countries here.
The newly built Chinggis Khaan International Airport, which opened in the summer of 2021, has the capacity to handle 3 million passengers a year, double that of the old airport. It also has 500 new aircraft parking spaces and improved infrastructure for domestic and budget flights.
Budget flights to Hong Kong from EZNIS Airways have resumed since the opening of the new airport, and discussions are underway to resume direct flights to the United States.
The recently opened Chinggis Khaan Museum provides a fresh perspective on Mongolia’s history, showcasing over 10,000 artifacts spanning 2,000 years. Guided tours are available in English on weekends free of charge.
Mongolia is now becoming a destination for music festivals and art installations, with events like Playtime, Spirit of Gobi, INTRO Electronic Music Festival, and the Kharkhorum 360 Visual Art & Music Experience featuring international and local artists.
The annual Naadam event, which includes horse racing, wrestling, and archery competitions, has celebrated its 100 year anniversary and is a must-see festival in Mongolia.
Archery, one of Mongolia’s ancient traditions, is making a comeback with the revival of mounted archery and the establishment of archery academies where locals can learn and perform.
The revival of Mongol bichig, the traditional Mongolian script, is another cultural highlight worth exploring in Mongolia. The Erdenesiin Khuree Mongolian Calligraphy Center offers lessons and exhibits the works of master calligraphist Tamir Samandbadraa Purev.
Combine Husqvarna’s new Norden 901 Expedition motorbike with Nomadic Off-Road’s Eagle Hunter Tour to experience one of the fastest adventures in Mongolia. The tour takes riders on a 1,700-kilometer journey from Ulaanbaatar to Bayan-Ulgii, where they can meet Mongolia’s famous eagle hunters.
Professional musher Joel Rauzy offers dog sledding tours across the frozen Lake Khuvsgul during winter, providing an opportunity to witness the stunning frozen landscape and experience winter activities such as ice fishing.
Yeruu Lodge, located in the heart of Selenge province, offers a unique eco-friendly experience for nature lovers. The lodge runs off solar panels, uses thermal heating, and recycles water and waste materials.
Yeruu Lodge also practices recycling and composting, as well as growing vegetables and herbs on-site. The lodge is set to open in April 2023.
