Mir expeditions | destinations

Ulaanbaatar

ULAANBAATAR CITY Ulaanbaatar, simply known as UB City , is the capital of Mongolia and was founded in the year of 1639. It is located on the shore of Tuul River, surrounded by 4 mountains - Bogdkhaan, Bayanzurkh, Songino Khairkhan and Chingeltei Khairkhan.

Ulaanbaatar around city

Ulaanbaatar, affectionately known as UB, is the beating heart of Mongolia. Established in 1639 as a nomadic Buddhist monastic center, the city has since evolved into a dynamic metropolis that bridges centuries of tradition with rapid modernization. Situated along the Tuul River and encircled by four sacred mountains—Bogd Khan Uul, Bayanzurkh Uul, Songinokhairkhan Uul, and Chingeltei Khairkhan Uul—UB’s geography is as symbolic as it is scenic. These mountains are not just natural landmarks; they are spiritual guardians that have shaped the city’s identity for generations.

Central Mongolia

Central Mongolia is home to some of the country’s most iconic and historically rich destinations. Once the heart of the Great Mongol Empire, this region holds immense cultural and archaeological significance. It was here, on the vast grasslands, that the empire’s first official capital—Karakorum—was founded in the 13th century. The area is steeped in history, particularly within the Orkhon Valley Protected Area, where ancient civilizations left behind rock engravings, monastery ruins, antiquities, and other archaeological treasures. Recognizing its cultural value, UNESCO has inscribed the Orkhon Valley on the World Heritage List.

Southern Mongolia

Southern Mongolia is synonymous with the legendary Gobi Desert—Asia’s largest and the world’s fifth largest desert. Stretching across southern Mongolia and into northern China, the Gobi defies expectations. Though often imagined as a barren wasteland, the Mongolian Gobi is anything but lifeless. It’s a vibrant ecosystem teeming with wildlife, rich vegetation, and resilient camel-herding communities who have thrived here for generations. Surprisingly, sand covers only about 5% of the Mongolian Gobi. The rest is a dramatic mosaic of rocky outcrops, green valleys, oases, rivers, lakes, and steppe lands. It’s also the coldest desert in Asia, with temperatures that swing from scorching heat to freezing nights—adding to its mystique. The Gobi is a treasure trove of paleontological wonders. Its mudstone cliffs have yielded some of the most significant dinosaur fossil discoveries in history, including the world’s first dinosaur eggs. These ancient layers continue to reveal secrets of Earth’s distant past.

Northern Mongolia

Northern Mongolia marks the southern edge of the vast Siberian Taiga—the world’s largest forested wilderness. This region spans the provinces of Bulgan, Darkhan, Erdenet, Murun, Sukhbaatar, and Selenge, and is one of the most accessible areas outside the capital. Most cities are connected by paved roads and railways, with Murun reachable via regular domestic flights. Travelers are drawn here by the region’s breathtaking natural beauty: dense, untouched forests, glacier-fed rivers, towering peaks of the Khangai and Sayan ranges, and the pristine waters of Lake Khuvsgul—often called the “Blue Pearl of Mongolia.” The Darkhad Tsenkher Depression adds dramatic contrast with its alpine meadows and remote valleys. Northern Mongolia is also a cultural treasure trove. Ancient deer stones—mysterious Bronze Age monuments—dot the landscape, while monasteries and shamanic sites reflect the region’s spiritual diversity. The area is home to the Tsaatan people, an ethnic minority known for their deep connection to nature and their traditional livelihood of reindeer herding.

Western Mongolia

Western Mongolia is a land of extremes and enchantment. Dominated by the majestic Altai Mountain range, this region boasts Mongolia’s highest peaks, with Tavan Bogd soaring to 4,374 meters above sea level. It’s a place where desert meets tundra, steppe blends into taiga, and alpine glaciers crown rugged summits—making it the most visually stunning and ecologically diverse region in the country. The region encompasses the remote provinces of Zavkhan, Hovd, Gobi-Altai, Uvs, and Bayan-Ölgii. Despite its isolation, Western Mongolia is a vibrant mosaic of ethnic diversity. Kazakhs, Tuvans, Oirats (divided into ten distinct tribes), Khalkh Mongols, and Eastern Mongols have coexisted here for centuries, sharing traditions, languages, and spiritual practices in remarkable harmony.

Eastern Mongolia

Eastern Mongolia is best known as the homeland of the legendary Chinggis Khaan, but its significance stretches far beyond imperial history. For millennia, the vast eastern steppe has been home to diverse ethnic groups including the Khalkha, Buryat, Zakhchin, Dariganga, Barga, and Uzemchin—each contributing to the region’s rich cultural tapestry.