Why 2023 is the year to visit Mongolia

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Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
CNN
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Mongolia has long been an overlooked destination for travelers due to its remoteness and short summers.

But as China further opens up its tourism industry by easing entry conditions for international tourists and upgrading infrastructure, 2023 may be the best time to achieve this goal.

Here are 10 reasons why travelers should start planning their dream trip to Mongolia now.

With the Mongolian government declaring 2023 to 2025 as the “Mongolia Tourism Year”, citizens of an additional 34 countries will now be able to visit the country visa-free by the end of 2025.

The addition of European countries such as Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand brings the total number of visa-free countries and regions to 61.

The full list is here.

After years of delays, pandemics and several controversies, the new Genghis Khan International Airport finally opened in the summer of 2021.

With the capacity to handle around 3 million passengers per year (twice the old airport), 500 new aircraft parking spaces and infrastructure to support an increase in domestic and low-cost flights, the airport is a welcome addition to the country's efforts to develop tourism. effort.

EZNIS Airways' low-cost flights to Hong Kong have restarted since the airport opened, and talks to resume direct flights to the United States are reportedly ongoing.

The recently opened Genghis Khan Museum presents Mongolia's turbulent history in a beautiful, fresh way.

With more than 10,000 artifacts spanning more than 2,000 years, the museum explores the history of the Mongols and the empire they created (but ultimately lost).

The museum's artifacts are spread over eight floors, with six permanent exhibition halls and two temporary exhibition halls. Free guided tours in English are available every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

When most people think of Mongolia, music festivals and conservation-focused art installations in the center 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 Playtime, Spirit of Gobi, INTRO electronic music festival and Kharkhorum 360 visual arts and music experience.

International bands, DJs and musicians from around the world join Mongolia’s eclectic mix of rappers, bands and folk singers in a country that is probably one of the most underrated places in the world for music festival goers.

The annual Naadam event has always been a great reason to visit Mongolia, but now that the festival has just celebrated its 100th anniversary, 2023 is still a great time to attend.

While the festival's origins date back to the days of Genghis Khan, who used horse racing, wrestling and archery competitions to keep his warriors in shape between battles, Naadam didn't officially become a national holiday until 100 years ago.

Today, the festival, held at the National Stadium in Ulaanbaatar, has a few more bells and whistles than it did in the days of the Great Khan.

Seats to the July 11 opening ceremony are always among the hardest to get in town.

Try Mongolian Archery

Mounted archery is experiencing a renaissance in Mongolia, thanks to the likes of Altankhuyag Nergui (one of the most accomplished archers in the sport) and his archery academy Namnaa.

Here, locals learn the basics of Mongolian archery, then ride horses and take their newfound skills to another level.

During the summer, students and faculty members present weekly performances for interested audiences. The academy also offers one-day training sessions for those who want to try this intense sport.

Speaking of giving life to Mongolia’s oldest traditions, the Mongolian “bi” script (i.e. the traditional Mongolian script written from top to bottom and read from left to right) has also seen a major renaissance in recent years.

Visit the Erdenisi Khuremonggo Calligraphy Center in the Karakoram Mountains and learn from master calligrapher Tamir Samambadra Pulev about this important cultural heritage. While you're there, browse the yurt filled with Tamir's creations.

Combine Husqvarna’s new Norden 901 Expedition motorcycle with Nomadic Off-Road’s new Eagle Hunter Tour, and you’ll enjoy one of the fastest adventure tours in Mongolia.

The trip will take six riders from Ulaanbaatar and travel 1,700 kilometers to Bayan Uligai, where they will eventually meet their host, Mongolia's famous falconer.

The only thing faster than this adventure is how quickly Nomadic Off-Road’s tours sell out.

Professional musher Joel Rauzy has been leading dog sleds across frozen Lake Khuvsgul for 18 years.

With smaller crowds, lower hotel prices, and the chance to see one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world completely frozen over, winter in Mongolia is another great place to see and experience.

Rauzy's company “Mongol Wind” offers lake tours, and everyone is assigned their own sled and dog for the journey. Led by Rauch, the mushers will circle the lake. Activities include ice fishing, while visitors stay in frost-proof yurts and spend time with nomadic families during the trip.

Scandinavian design at Yeruu Lodge comes to Mongolia

Situated on the banks of the Yeruu River in the heart of Selenge Province, Yeruu Lodge is the brainchild of Norwegian founder Eirik Gulsrud Johnsen, who first visited Mongolia in 2017.

Featuring a simple Scandinavian-style restaurant and dining area, several fully furnished yurts for guests to stay in, two bocce courts, kayaking, a driving range, mountain biking and yoga areas, the lodge is a large A destination for nature lovers.

The hotel is completely off the grid, relying on solar panels and thermal heating, and all water for the hotel comes from an on-site well and is recycled after use.

In addition, all glass, metal and plastic used in the hotel is recycled, and food waste is turned into compost, which is used to grow vegetables, berries and herbs on site.

The hotel is scheduled to open in April 2023.