A country often overshadowed by many others but which, without a doubt, is worth discovering: welcome to Mongolia
A very distant country, with a short-lived summer season and a mysterious charm that often leads travelers to snub it for other, much more well-known destinations. We are talking about Mongolia, the country of Genghis Khan, the national hero who created a gigantic empire which, according to CNN, is the place to visit absolutely in 2023. In fact, through a long article, the well-known American magazine also explained why we should do it.
Entrance facilities
The first reason why we should all think about reaching Mongolia this year is because the entry procedures have been significantly simplified. The local government has declared that, from 2023 to 2025, citizens of 34 countries will no longer need a tourist visa to enter. Among these - and fortunately - there is also Italy.
The recent opening of the international airport
Mongolia recently opened its international airport, called Chinggis Khan, which today can accommodate 3 million passengers a year. Landing there, therefore, is certainly easier than many years ago also because it is served by numerous airlines. Among other things, more than 500 new parking spaces have been added, a great effort by the Government in order to increase tourism in a country that is still little known - at least for us Italians - but certainly beautiful.
A new modern museum
The third reason why CNN claims that this is the right year to fly to Mongolia is that a museum with modern and very interesting profiles has recently opened in these parts: the Chinggis Khan, which allows you to learn more about the tumultuous history of the country.
Inside are preserved over 10.000 artefacts covering more than 2000 years of history, wonders arranged in six permanent and two temporary exhibition rooms.
Mongolian music festivals
For many it might be difficult to think, but the Mongolia is also the perfect destination for those looking for good music and pure entertainment. During the year, in fact, there are various festivals that attract locals and non-locals alike. Just think of Playtime, Spirit of Gobi, INTRO Electronic Music Festival and Kharkhorum 360 Visual Art & Music Experience, many events in the company of international bands, DJs and musicians from all over the world together with the eclectic mix of rappers, bands and folk singers of the Village.
Naadam, the traditional holiday of Mongolia
Among the best ways to fully understand the roots of a country is to discover theirs traditional holidays. And in Mongolia, every year, the naadam which very recently even celebrated its first 100 years of life (despite having existed for many more). A very important celebration that has its roots in the era of the legendary Genghis Khan, when horse races, wrestling and archery competitions were held with the aim of keeping warriors in shape.
Today this festival, which always traces the ancient horse races, wrestling and battles of various kinds, comes to life in Ulaanbaatar, the peculiar capital of the country, at the National Sports Stadium every 11 July.
What to absolutely visit in Mongolia
But in addition to events, recent openings and so on and so forth, the 2023 is the perfect year to visit Mongolia also thanks to all the wonders it has to offer visitors.
After all, we are talking about the seventh largest state in the world, an immense country where nature reigns supreme and in which, from time to time, temples and monasteries stand out and prove to be perfectly integrated into the countryside or the inhabited centers of the city.
The first stop to make is without a shadow of a doubt the Capital, Ulaanbaatar, which is even considered the coldest in the world. In this place you will be able to discover a perfect combination of tradition and modernity, but also several absolutely interesting museums.
It is worth a visit and indeed, it is perhaps one of the main reasons why you visit Mongolia, among the immensities of the Gobi desert, the place where you can truly understand the meanings of the words 'freedom' and 'peace', perhaps under a sky embellished with bright stars. In these parts, among other things, important fossils have been brought to light, including very ancient dinosaur eggs. Without a shadow of a doubt, this is a place that cannot leave you indifferent as it enchants with the diversity of its landscapes, an expanse of wonders that goes from sand dunes to mountains, and then opens up into immense plains and desert steppes. There is no shortage of oases and lakes, spectacles that give it an extra touch of magic.
Another true natural wonder of Mongolia is the Mystic Lago Hovsgol cwhich has the honor of being located in one of the main areas of naturalistic interest in the country. It is the deepest body of water in Central Asia and welcomes the visitor with landscapes that leave you speechless.
Very interesting is also the Flaming Cliffs, a sort of Grand Canyon of Mongolia, which in fact is all that remains of an ancient prehistoric sea. In fact, numerous and important finds have been brought to light in these parts too. When visiting it you will find yourself submerged in picturesque fiery red rock formations.
Then again the majestic Parco Nazionale Gorkhi-Terelj which is the largest in the whole country. In these parts you can practice many activities ranging from hiking to ice skating and skiing during the colder months. Although, without a shadow of a doubt, its main attractions are the enormous granite boulders that take on bizarre shapes: one of them even resembles a cute turtle.
In Mongolia it's worth stopping by Tsenkher natural pools which come to life in a region teeming with thermal springs. In this area the boiling water flows between the rocks at temperatures ranging from 80° to 90°C. Waters that are rich in sulphate and sodium carbonate, so much so that they prove curative for some joint diseases and others that affect the nervous system.
Finally, don't forget one essential thing in Mongolia: spend at least one night in a yurt on the country's magical steppe which stands out for being an almost infinite green expanse. The most ideal way to experience the most authentic side of Mongolia as these large tents are, even nowadays, the most frequent housing choice of the nomadic populations who live in these wonderful regions.
Source: iStock
