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Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (CNN) Due to its remoteness and short summer season, Mongolia has long been overlooked destination by travelers.
But 2023 may be the best time to get there as the country opens up more to tourism by easing entry requirements for international visitors and upgrading infrastructure. .
Here are 10 reasons why travelers should start planning their long-awaited visit to Mongolia today.
Growing visa-free list
With the government of Mongolia declaring 2023-2025 the “Year to Visit Mongolia”, citizens of 34 more countries will be able to visit the country visa-free until the end of 2025.
The addition of several European countries including Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand brings the total number of countries and territories on the Visa Waiver List to 61.
The full list is here.
$650 million new airport opens its doors
The new Genghis Khan International Airport in Mongolia.
After years of delays, a pandemic and some controversy, the newly built Chinggis Khaan International Airport will finally open in the summer of 2021.
With the capacity to handle about 3 million passengers a year (twice the old airport), the addition of 500 new aircraft parking spaces and infrastructure to support an increase in domestic and budget flights, the airport will grow tourism Efforts of the country to make
Since the airport’s opening, low-cost flights to Hong Kong have resumed from EZNIS Airways, and talks are reportedly underway to resume direct flights to the United States.
modern new museum
recently opened Genghis Khan Museum It offers a beautiful and fresh look at Mongolia’s turbulent history.
With over 10,000 artifacts spanning more than 2,000 years, the museum explores the history of the Mongols and the empires they built and ultimately lost.
The museum’s artifacts are displayed across eight floors, with six permanent exhibition halls and two temporary exhibition halls. Free guided tours are offered in English every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
Mongolia’s answer to Coachella
Mongolia’s 2023 Spirit of Gobi Festival will take place in August.
When most people think of Mongolia, music festivals and conservation-focused art installations in the heart of one of the world’s largest deserts are the last things that come to mind.
But that’s all changing thanks to festivals like play time, gobi spirit, INTRO electronic music festival and the Halkorum 360 Visual Art & Music Experience.
Placing international bands, DJs and musicians from around the world alongside an eclectic mix of Mongolian rappers, bands and folk singers, the country is one of the world’s most underrated destinations for festival lovers. may be one of
Celebrating Naadam’s Turning Century
annual Naadam The event has always been a great reason to visit Mongolia, but now that the festival has just celebrated its 100th anniversary, 2023 is an even better time to attend.
The origins of the festival date back to the time of Genghis Khan, who used horse racing, wrestling, archery and other competitions to keep his soldiers in shape between battles, but Naadam was the official It was 100 years ago that it became a national holiday.
Today, the festival, held at Ulaanbaatar’s National Sports Stadium, has more features than it did during the Great Khan’s time.
Seats for the opening ceremony on July 11 are some of the hardest tickets to get in town.
Try Mongolian Archery
Mongolian archery is making a comeback.
Mounted archery is making a comeback in Mongolia thanks to people like Altankhuyag Nergui, one of the most accomplished archers in the sport and his archery academy. Namner.
Here, locals learn the basics of Mongolian archery, mount horses, and take their newfound skills to another level.
During the summer, students and members of the Academy put on weekly shows for interested audiences. The academy also offers all-day training sessions for those who want to try their hand at this intense sport.
Learn Mongolian calligraphy from a master
Speaking of bringing one of Mongolia’s oldest traditions to life, the revival of the Mongolian Bichig, the traditional Mongolian script written from top to bottom and read left to right, has also seen a major resurgence in recent years.
visit Erdenesin Hurray Mongolian Calligraphy Center I learned about this important cultural heritage from calligrapher Tamir Samandbhadra Pulev in Karakorum. And while you’re there, browse the yurts full of Tamil creations.
abandon a horse for horsepower
Mongolian hunters send golden eagles to catch their prey.
Husqvarna’s new Norden 901 Expedition bike release combined with the newly announced Nomadic Off-Road Eagle Hunter Tourand you have one of the fastest adventures in Mongolia.
On this tour, 6 riders travel 1,700 kilometers from Ulaanbaatar to Bayan Ulgii. There the rider eventually meets the host, the famous Mongol eagle his hunter.
The only thing faster than this adventure is the rate at which Nomadic Off-Road tours sell out.
Winter tours offer new insights
Professional musher Joel Rousey has been leading dog sledding tours across frozen Lake Khuvsgul for 18 years.
With less crowds, lower hotel rates, and the chance to see one of the world’s largest freshwater lakes completely frozen over, winter in Mongolia is something else to see and experience.
Rousey Company, Mongolian wind, offers tours of the lake, and each person is assigned their own sled and dog for the journey. Following Rauzy’s lead, Musher creates a lake loop. Activities include ice fishing, but travelers stay in winter yurts and spend time with nomadic families along the way.
Eroo Lodge where Scandinavian design hits Mongolia
Yeruu Lodge is full of Scandinavian minimalism.
Located in the heart of the Selenge province on the Eru River, Eru Lodge It is the brainchild of Norwegian founder Eirik Gulsrud Johnsen, who first visited Mongolia in 2017.
With a minimalist Scandinavian-style restaurant and dining area, fully equipped yurts for guests, two petanque courts, kayaks, driving range, mountain bikes and yoga area, the lodge is a nature lover’s destination.
Completely off-grid, the lodge uses solar panels and thermal heating, and all of the facility’s water is sourced from an on-site well and recycled after use.
Additionally, all glass, metal and plastic used at the lodge are also recycled and food waste is turned into compost used to grow vegetables, berries and herbs on site.
The lodge is scheduled to open in April 2023.
