Travel in Mongolia – Hotels, Mongolia Vacations, Lodging, Trips, Attractions and Travel Guide

Magnificent Mongolia And The Places To See On Vacation

Perspective view of a Buddha statue in Mongolia

Mongolia is located between East and Central Asia, sharing borders with Russia and The Peoples Republic of China. Mongolia has a diverse climate with mountains, deserts and steppes. The culture of the country finds itself deeply rooted in the Mongolian nomadic way of life, with other influences coming from Tibet, Tibetan Buddhism and China.

There are several important holidays that are marked with celebrations and festivals. The most important public festival is the Naadams, which means “games”. The festival features the “three games of man”, Mongolian wrestling, horse racing and archery. The festival is held during the summertime and more recently women and young girls have begun to participate in the horse racing and archery festivals, marking a noted change in the shift of the tradition which used to be limited only to men and young boys.

The largest and most significant holiday in Mongolia is held in Ulaanbaatar, which is the capital. The National Holiday runs from July 11th through the 13th, although other smaller cities around the area observe their own version, the one held in Ulaanbaatar is the largest and most elaborate. The opening of the festival is marked by the introduction of dancers, athletes, horse riders and musicians. After the presentation is completed, the competitions begin. The winners of each competition are awarded titles and prizes and it is considered to be a great honor among Mongolians.

For families, the most notable festival would be Tsagaan Sar, which is the Mongolian equivalent of a Chinese New Year celebration. It occurs during the month of January or February, depending upon the moon and when the winter solstice ends. Mongolians extend a traditional greeting to all those they encounter and grasp them firmly by the elbow to show they support that person. A traditional feast of lamb and minced beef in pastry is served and many other dishes, the feast takes several days to prepare and is extremely elaborate. The end of the festivities is signaled by the exchange of gifts and a traditional farewell is exchanged.

There are several monasteries throughout Mongolia, however the most important one is the Gandan Monastery in Ulaanbaatar. The temple was built in the 19th century and is the only monastery where services were still held, even during the time of Communism. Migjid Janraisig Temple is an integral part of Mongolian history and serves as home to the new jewel encrusted Migjid Janraisig statue. The new statue replaces the one that was destroyed by the communists in 1920, it was funded by donations from the Mongolian people and now stands as a symbol of revival for the country.

The Bogd Khan Palace Museum was constructed between 1893 and 1903, and was the winter home of the last king of Mongolia. Designed with a complex of buildings, the museum now contains a great number of Buddhist items, artwork and the private collection of Javnzan Damba Hutagt, which is comprised of gifts from rulers all over the world.

For travelers who want to be convenient to all the major attractions in Mongolia, the Chinnggis Khan Hotel is the perfect location to be close to the nightlife and everything thats going on. The hotel is the only four-star location in Ulaanbaatar, offering guests a restaurant and a large shopping center within the hotel complex. The most unique hotel in Mongolia is the Edelweiss Hotel in Ulaanbaatar. Known for its luxurious rooms and amenities, there is also a European-themed restaurant whose cuisine took first place in the Mongolian Cooks Contest. Mongolia is well-known for its amazing history and rich culture, making it the perfect get-away spot for tourists looking for something different.