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Western Mongolia

Raw, rugged and remote, this region has for centuries been isolated – both geographically and culturally – from the Mongolian heartland. With its glacier-wrapped mountains, shimmering salt lakes and hardy culture of nomads, falconry and horsemanship, western Mongolia is a timeless slice of Central Asia.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Khoton Lake at the foot of the Altai Mountains near the Chinese border, Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.

    Altai Tavan Bogd National Park

    Western Mongolia

    Covering 6362 sq km, Altai Tavan Bogd National Park takes in the Tavan Bogd massif – which includes Khuiten Uul (4374m), Mongolia's highest mountain…

  • Khoton Nuur lake in Mongolian Altai.

    Khoton Nuur

    Western Mongolia

    The southern shore along Khoton Nuur has excellent camping spots, especially around Ulaan Tolgoi, a spit of land that juts majestically into the lake. The…

  • Mongolia's natural beauty. Uvs aimag, Khyrgas soum, Khyrgas lake, Khetsuu Khad nearly; Shutterstock ID 2011478780; your: Barbara Di Castro; gl: 65050; netsuite: digital; full: poi 2011478780

    Khetsuu Khad

    Western Mongolia

    The lake's main attraction Khetsuu Khad, an enormous rock sticking out of the water that attracts migratory cormorants. The birds arrive in April and…

  • Tsenkheriin Agui

    Tsenkheriin Agui

    Western Mongolia

    This huge cave looks deceptively small from the parking area. But once you scramble up the loose rock path, you realise its true size and how it must have…

  • Uureg Nuur Lake, saline lake in an endorheic basin in western Mongolia.

    Üüreg Nuur

    Western Mongolia

    Üüreg Nuur (elevation 1425m) is 20km long and 18km wide, with an average depth of 27m. Surrounded by mountains of 3000m-plus, and almost entirely devoid…

  • Waterfall

    Waterfall

    Western Mongolia

    High up in the protected area of mountains north of Üüreg Nuur, a 14m waterfall cascades over black rocks. It's a 10km slog (most people drive this bit)…

  • Dayan Uul Rock Tower

    Dayan Uul Rock Tower

    Western Mongolia

    Crowning a level platform of boulders atop Dayan Uul is this 30m-high sedimentary rock tower, draped with blue cloth and encircled by prayer wheels. The…

  • Khar Us Nuur

    Khar Us Nuur

    Western Mongolia

    Khar Us Nuur (15,800 sq km, average depth 4m) is a vast marshy delta and Mongolia's third biggest lake by area, home to wild ducks, geese, wood grouse,…

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Mongolia BIT Behind the Scenes 2024

Best in Travel

Mongolia: Behind the scenes of our Best in Travel Video

Oct 30, 2023 • 3 min read

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