Top sights in Mongolia

Khovsgol

This beautiful alpine lake is 2000 kms to the north of Ulaanbaatar on the border with Russia. It is the second oldest lake in the world, contains 65 percent of Mongolia's and two percent of the world's fresh water. Despite its size it freezes in winter to a depth of 120cm allowing passenger trucks to cross. Mountains crowd the shores and the thick pine forests and beautiful meadows are sprinkled with grazing yak, horse and reindeer.

Gorkhi Terelj National Park

Terelj National Park is just 60 km from Ulaanbaatar and a good place for a day or weekend trip. The park hosts populations of camel and is one of the best places you can do a camel trip, horse riding or trekking. It is particularly lovely in autumn when the trees turn spectacular tinges of red and orange. You can stay overnight in ger camps.

Ulaanbaatar

The capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, is not the most exciting city in the world but it does have enough monasteries, museums and restaurants to sample to keep you busy for a few days. Plus it's a good way to orient to Mongol life and culture. Highlights include the central hub, Sukhbaatar Square, any of the theatres surrounding it for their summer shows of theatre or ballet, the National Museum of Mongolian History and Ghandan Khiid, the nation's largest monastery.

Erdene Zuu Khiid

Don't miss Erdene Zuu Khiid, 373km southwest of UB, the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. Communist purges largely destroyed much of Mongolia's monasteries and Buddhist relics but here there is still a lot standing. The monastery is enclosed inside a large wall lined with 108 stupas and contains a number of temples, gravestones and turtle rock sculptures. Look out for the massive hunting eagles and their handlers at the entrance.

Great White Lake

The Great White Lake, also known as Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur, is several hundred kilometres west of the capital in the Khangai Mountains. The Khorgo volcano is at the eastern end of the lake and worth hiking to and climbing. Good fishing or horseback riding can be done around the lake also.