Must-see attractions in The Gobi

  • Ongiin Khiid, Saikhan Ovoo, Mongolia - 07 19 15: Buddhist Ongiin Khiid temple building at the monastery ruins of Ongiin Khiid which is a tourist attraction in the remote Gobi of Mongolia; Shutterstock ID 1883979241; purchase_order: 65050; job: ; client: ; other:
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    Ongiin Khiid

    The Gobi

    The bend in the river here marks the remains of two ruined monasteries which are today considered one vast complex known as Ongiin Khiid. Bari Lam Khiid…

  • Siberian Ibex (Capra sibirica) at Ikh Nart Nature Reserve in Mongolia.; Shutterstock ID 1659526936; your: Barbara Di Castro; gl: 65050; netsuite: digital; full: poi
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    Ikh Nartiin Chuluu Nature Reserve

    The Gobi

    This 670-sq-km nature reserve, only a four-hour drive from Ulaanbaatar, at an elevation of 2200m, is home to hundreds of ibexes (mountain goats), argali …

  • Sand dunes Khongoryn Els in Gobi Desert, Umnugovi, South Gobi, Mongolia.
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    Khongoryn Els

    The Gobi

    Khongoryn Els are some of the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in Mongolia. Also known as the Duut Mankhan (Singing Dunes – from the sound they…

  • Yolyn Am or Eagle valley is a deep and narrow gorge in the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains of southern Mongolia, near town Dalanzadgad in Gobi Desert; Shutterstock ID 1246836706; your: Sloane Tucker; gl: 65050; netsuite: Online Editorial; full: POI
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    Yolyn Am Gorge

    The Gobi

    A pleasant 2km path leads from the parking area to this gorge filled with blue ice, one of the park's can't-miss sights. You can hike, bike or hire a…

  • Earth energy center - northern entrance to Shambhala in Gobi desert near Sainshand. Mongolia; Shutterstock ID 2089127335; your: Sloane Tucker; gl: 65050; netsuite: Online Editorial; full: POI
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    Shambhala

    The Gobi

    In 1853 Danzan Ravjaa told the local people that he would die in three years but that they could forever come to this place and speak to his spirit…

  • Bayanzag, Flaming Cliffs, Mongolia, Asia; Shutterstock ID 1262892721; your: Sloane Tucker; gl: 65050; netsuite: Online Editorial; full: POI
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    Bayanzag

    The Gobi

    The so-called Flaming Cliffs are a Gobi highlight and an important palaeontology site first excavated by Roy Chapman Andrews in 1922. Even if you are not…

  • Scenery near Yolyn Am, Gobi desert, Mongolia

    Yolyn Am

    The Gobi

    Yolyn Am was originally established to conserve the region's bird life, but it’s now more famous for its dramatic rocky cliffs and narrow, heavily shaded…

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Yolyn Am valley is located at Gurvan Saikhan Mountains of southern Mongolia.

    Gurvan Saikhan National Park

    The Gobi

    Gurvan Saikhan National Park (20,000 sq km) offers a wealth of sand dunes, canyons, dinosaur fossils and mountainous terrain. Desert wildlife includes…

  • Aerial panorama of textural colorful striped canyons Tsagaan suvarga - White stupa at sunrise. Ulziit soum, Dundgovi province, Mongolia
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    Tsagaan Suvarga

    The Gobi

    A 400m-long jigsaw of white-sand cliffs, striped pastel shades of purple, orange and red. That's the scene awaiting you at Tsagaan Suvarga, a sight…

  • Baga Gazryn Chuluu; Shutterstock ID 1282922851; your: Sloane Tucker; gl: 65050; netsuite: Online Editorial; full: POI
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    Baga Gazryn Chuluu

    The Gobi

    Like a miniature Joshua Tree National Park, this granite-rock formation in the middle of the dusty plains sheltered Zanabazar during conflicts between the…

  • Tsorjiin Khureenii Khiid

    The Gobi

    An unusual sight is the half-hidden stone ruins of the 200-year-old monastery, Tsorjiin Khureenii Khiid. Concealed among the rocks, and shaded by a grove…

  • Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area

    The Gobi

    Split in two for management purposes, but considered one protected area, together they form the fourth-largest biosphere reserve in the world. It protects…

  • Ikh Gazryn Chuluu

    The Gobi

    Travellers descend on this remote Gobi nature reserve to wander the boulder-strewn moonscape scenery, clamber around and over abstract rock formations and…

  • Khermen Tsav

    The Gobi

    Way off the beaten track; you are likely to have this complex of canyons all to yourself. Some say they are even more spectacular than Bayanzag. Be sure…

  • Sevrei Petroglyphs

    The Gobi

    These petroglyphs depict herds of animals including deer, ibexes and gazelles; 20km from the town of Sevrei.

  • Khavtsgait Petroglyphs

    The Gobi

    If you take the main route from Dalanzadgad to Khongoryn Els, keeping the mountains to your left as you go, you can stop and hunt the hills for this…

  • Off road vehicle travels an adventurous alternative and rocky route through Dugany Am, a spectacular narrow gorge in the mountains of the Gobi, Gurvan Saikhan National Park, Mongolia.

    Dugany Am

    The Gobi

    If you are headed from Yolyn Am to Khongoryn Els, an adventurous and rough alternative route takes you through the Dugany Am, a spectacular and narrow…

  • Gimpil Darjaalan Khiid, monastery in Erdenedalai.

    Gimpil Darjaalan Khiid

    The Gobi

    This old monastery survived Stalin’s purges by becoming a warehouse and shop. The monastery was built in the late 18th century to commemorate the first…

  • Süm Khökh Burd

    The Gobi

    The ruined 10th-century temple Süm Khökh Burd sits on an island in the middle of a seasonal lake, and was built from rocks that can only be found more…

  • Khamaryn Khiid

    The Gobi

    The main hall at this new-build compound that rises from blonde desert sands is an impressive ger-like structure with a golden tower. It can be reached by…

  • Byamba's Tree Nursery

    The Gobi

    Retired forest engineer and local conservationist Byamba Tseyen helped establish, and now maintains, this small tree-planting nursery on the edge of town,…

  • Eej Khairkhan Nature Reserve

    The Gobi

    The 22.5-sq-km Eej Khairkhan Nature Reserve was created to protect the general environment. Near the base of Eej Khairkhan Uul (2275m), you can camp at…

  • Lamyn Gegeenii Gon Gandan Dedlin Khiid

    The Gobi

    The original monastery by this name, one of Mongolia's largest at the time, was located 20km east of Bayankhongor City. It was levelled by the communist…

  • Khun Chuluu

    The Gobi

    About 8km west of the main dirt tracks as you head south from Altai to Biger, and about 10km southwest of Altai itself, among the blemished land scarred…

  • Amarbuyant Khiid

    The Gobi

    This ruined monastery once housed around 1000 monks until its destruction in 1937 by Stalin’s forces. Its claim to fame is that the 13th Dalai Lama, while…

  • Biger Nomin Khan Monastery Ruins

    The Gobi

    The official road-side sign for these monastery ruins states that they are around 750 years old. We doubt they are quite that old, but they're interesting…

  • Mandalgov Museum

    The Gobi

    This enjoyable and informative museum is divided into two main sections: a taxidermy-heavy natural history section and a more interesting ethnography and…

  • Moltzog Els

    The Gobi

    The 5km stretch of 40ft-tall, sugary sand dunes that rises and falls in the desert 22km northeast of Bayanzag makes for some brief, breathless hikes and…

  • Museum of Danzan Ravjaa

    The Gobi

    The life and achievements of Noyon Khutagt Danzan Ravjaa (1803–56), a well-known Mongolian writer, composer, painter and medic who was born about 100km…

  • Biger Red Yabar

    The Gobi

    About 28km before you reach Biger (74km from Altai), you'll see these striking, red-coloured cliffs off to your right (south). Their crenellated formation…

  • Ikh Bogd Uul

    The Gobi

    The highest mountain (3957m) in the Gobi Altai range. It's possible to part-jeep, part-hike your way to the top for stupendous views. On Ikh Bogd’s…

  • Norovbanzad Theatre

    The Gobi

    A surreal amphitheatre tucked into the rocks, 1.5km south of the park ranger's camp. It's named in honour of a famous Mongolian long-song singer and hosts…

  • Alag Khairkhan Nature Reserve

    The Gobi

    Some 364 sq km southwest of Altai have been set aside to protect rare endemic plants, snow leopards, argali and ibexes. There aren't any tourist services,…

  • Ehynumay Cave

    The Gobi

    With an English translation of 'mother's vagina', if you'd like to be born again, step into this cave, climb up and out a small skylight and ramble down…

  • Small Gobi A Strictly Protected Area

    The Gobi

    On the border with China, the 18,392-sq-km Small Gobi A Strictly Protected Area includes dunes and saxaul forest, habitat that nurtures the endemic khulan…

  • Galuut Canyon

    The Gobi

    A 25m-deep canyon that narrows to around 1m wide in places. It is 20km southwest of Galuut sum centre, 85km northwest of Bayankhongor town.

  • Tsagaan Agui

    The Gobi

    This is a cave with a crystal-lined inner chamber that once housed Stone Age people. It is about 90km east of Bayangovi in a narrow gorge.

  • Bayangiin Nuruu

    The Gobi

    A canyon with well-preserved rock engravings and petroglyphs depicting hunting and agricultural scenes dating from 3000 BC.

  • Toonotaguy Cave

    The Gobi

    This cave has great views from its mouth and a chute that leads to an opening with more stunning vistas on the other side.

  • Yasnee Tsav

    The Gobi

    An eroded hilly region with some impressive buttes. Local guides claim they can point out authentic fossils at this site.

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