Why 2023 is the year to visit Mongolia

Publisher’s note: This series of CNN trips is, or was sponsored by the country it underlines. CNN retains a complete editorial control on the subject, reports and the frequency of articles and videos in sponsorship, in accordance with Our policy.

Ulaanatar, Mongolia
Cnn
–

Due to its distance and its short summer season, Mongolia has long been neglected destination by travelers.

But while the country moves to open more tourism by softening its entry conditions for international visitors and improving its infrastructure, 2023 may well be the best time to get there.

Here are 10 reasons why travelers should start planning their visit for a long time in Mongolia now.

The government of Mongolia declaring 2023 to 2025, the “years to visit Mongolia”, citizens of 34 other countries can now visit the visa without visa until the end of 2025.

The addition of several European countries, including Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as Australia and New Zealand, now brings the total number of countries and territories to the visa exemption list at 61.

The full list is here.

After years of delays, a pandemic and several controversies, the newly built Chinggis Khaan International Airport finally opened in the summer of 2021.

With the ability to manage around 3 million passengers per year (double that of the old airport), the addition of 500 new aircraft parking spaces and the infrastructure to support an increase in domestic and budgetary flights, the airport is a welcome addition to the country’s efforts to develop tourism.

Budget flights to Hong Kong from Eznis Airways have been relaunched since the airport opened, and talks to resume direct flights to the United States would have been underway.

Recently opened Chinggis Khaan Museum Offers a beautiful fresh look on the tumultuous history of Mongolia.

With more than 10,000 artefacts span over 2,000 years, the museum explores the history of Mongols and the Empire they created – and finally lost.

The museum artefacts are presented over eight floors, with six permanent exhibition rooms and two exhibitions. Guided tours are offered in English every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. free.

When most people think of Mongolia, music festivals and artistic installations focused on conservation at the heart of one of the biggest deserts in the world are the last things to come to mind.

But everything changes thanks to festivals like Recreation,, Gobi spirit,, Intrier electronic music festival and the Kharkhorum 360 Visual Art & Music Experience.

Placing international groups, DJs and musicians from all over the world alongside the eclectic mixture of rappers, groups and folk singers, the country may well be one of the most underestimated places in the world for festival enthusiasts.

The 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 as good as ever.

While the origins of the festival are rooted at the time of Gengis Khan, when he used racing, struggle and archery competitions to keep his warriors in good shape between battles, Naadam has officially become a national holiday 100 years ago.

Today, the festival – held in Ulaanbaatar at the National Sports Stadium, has a few more bells and whistles than during the Grand Khan days.

A seat at the opening ceremony of July 11 is still one of the most difficult tickets to score in town.

Try your hand to archery of the Mongolian track

The archery mounted sees a resurgence in Mongolia thanks to guys like Altankhuyag Nergui, one of the most accomplished archers in sport and its academy of archery, Namena.

Here, the inhabitants learn the fundamental principles of Mongolian archery before riding a horse and taking their new skills found at another level.

During the summer months, students and members of the Academy organize weekly shows for interested spectators. The Academy also offers a day training sessions for those who wish to try this intense sport.

Speaking of giving life to the oldest traditions of Mongolia, the resurrection of Bichig Mongol, or the traditional Mongolian script written from top to bottom and read from left to right, has also experienced a major resurgence in recent years.

Visit the Erdenesi Khuree Mongolan Calligraphy Center In Karakorum to learn from the master calligraphist Tamir Samandbadraa Purev about this important cultural heritage. And, while you are there, browse the yurts filled with the works of Tamir.

Combine the release of the new Norden 901 shipping motorcycle from Husqvarna with Nomadic off-road EagleAnd you have one of the fastest adventures in Mongolia.

The tour takes six runners 1,700 kilometers from Ulaanbaatar in Bayan-Ulgii, where the horsemen finally meet their hosts, the famous Hunters of Mongolia Eagles.

The only thing faster than this adventure is the rhythm to which nomadic off -road visits are sold.

The Musher Joel Raboy Professional has directed dog visits through Lake frozen Khuvsgul for 18 years.

With fewer crowds, lower hotel rates and the possibility of seeing one of the largest freshwater lakes in the completely frozen world, winter in Mongolia is something else to see and live.

COMPANY DE RABY, Mongolia windoffers visits to the lake, where each person is given their own sleigh and their dogs for the trip. After Rauzy’s advance, Mushers will make a lake loop. Activities include ice fishing, while travelers remain in winter yurts and spend time with nomadic families throughout the trip.

Scandinavian design hits Mongolia at Yeruu Lodge

Nestled in the heart of the province of the meeting on the Yeruu river, Yeruu Lodge is an original idea of ​​the Norwegian founder Eirik Gulsrud Johnsen, who visited Mongolia for the first time in 2017.

With a minimal Scandinavian -style restaurant and dining room, a handful of fully equipped yurts so that customers can stay, two pétanque fields, kayaks, a practice, mountain bikes and a yoga area, the lodge is a destination for nature lovers.

Completely out of network, the lodge extends over solar panels, uses of thermal heating and all the water from the property comes from a well on the property and is recycled after use.

In addition, all glass, metal and plastic used in lodge are also recycled and food waste is transformed into compost used to grow vegetables, berries and herbs on site.

The lodge should open its doors in April 2023.