Mongolia is the Wild West of Asia. It has the lowest population density of any country in the world (just 1 person per square mile) and is home to one of the last groups of nomadic people.
A trip to Mongolia means spending a lot of time out in staggeringly beautiful nature. The capital, Ulaanbaatar, is the country’s only city and is also home to the majority of the population. This means not only do you have loads of beautiful nature to explore, but you’ll also have it virtually all to yourself.
There is a good chance that, if you venture off into the Mongolian countryside, you will not see another living soul for days on end. What you will see, however, is the gorgeous Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, the formidable mountains of Altai Tavn Bogd National Park and Gorkhi-Terelj National Park’s lush, endless valley.
But, the countryside is only half of the story. July in Mongolia is all about the Naadam Festival—the biggest festival of nomadic culture in the world, happening annually between July 10-12. The main Naadam Festival is in Ulaanbaatar, but every province holds their own version. There are three core events at the festival: wrestling, horse racing, and archery—each done with its own Mongolian flare.
Interspersed between the “three manly sports” as they are known, men, women and children perform dances, songs and parades. It is a loud, colorful event, unlike anything you will have ever seen. If you want an experience that will make you sound interesting at dinner parties, this will do the trick.
