| we at IRTOURING offers informations about | | | | remains one of the poorest countries in Asia, with |
| Mongolia travel guide | | | | typical salaries at less than US$100 a month. |
| Mix up the vast landscapes of the Gobi, the | | | | Tourism, along with mining and cashmere, has |
| snowcapped mountains of Bayan-Ölgi and the | | | | become a key feature of the economy. The poor |
| dramatic gorges and sparkling lakes of | | | | infrastructure and short travel season have kept |
| Khövsgöl. Sprinkle in the felt homes of the | | | | receipts small, but a growing network of ger |
| nomad and the cry of an eagle. Add Buddhist | | | | camps cater to travellers seeking ecotourism |
| temples, mysterious ruins, abundant wildlife and | | | | adventures. Without fences or private property |
| legendary hospitality. Then top it all off with a | | | | to restrict a traveller's movement, Mongolia is a |
| conqueror who started with nothing and ended up | | | | perfect destination for horse trekking, |
| changing history. | | | | long-distance cycling or hiking, or more leisurely |
| If this description perpetuates your belief in an | | | | activities such as fly-fishing, yak carting or |
| untouched country, then you also need the scoop | | | | camping out under a sprawling mass of stars. |
| on the new Mongolia. Add to the above internet | | | | Most travellers come for Naadam, the two-day |
| cafés in Ulaanbaatar, herders chatting on mobile | | | | summer sports festival that brings Ulaanbaatar to |
| phones, Manhattan-style cocktail bars, eco-yurts | | | | a standstill. But Mongolia's unique charm will always |
| and vegetarian cafés. The Humvees plying | | | | lie in the countryside where, rather than being a |
| Peace Ave would probably have Chinggis Khaan | | | | spectator to the wrestling, you may find yourself |
| turning green with envy. | | | | making up the numbers! Outside the villages it's |
| Since the fall of communism, Mongolia has done | | | | easy to meet nomad families whose relentless |
| just about everything in its power to open itself | | | | sense of hospitality can at times be nothing short |
| up to the world. While the old traditions survive | | | | of overwhelming. |
| and the wild nature is still mostly intact, Mongolia | | | | Mongolia is an up-and-coming Asian country with a |
| has also reached out to the West for economic | | | | young, well-educated population. The economy |
| and cultural ties. It's not uncommon to meet | | | | grows at a robust 7.5% per year – thanks |
| Mongolians with degrees from universities in the | | | | mainly to China's insatiable appetite for Mongolia's |
| USA, Europe or Australia. | | | | raw materials. But Mongolia sits at a crucial |
| Along with Japan and South Korea, Mongolia is one | | | | crossroads: if the booming economy continues |
| of the only legitimate democracies in the whole of | | | | down the road of corruption, with a few getting |
| Asia. Elections have proven to be free and fair. A | | | | rich and everyone else left behind, the country |
| constant parade of street protests have forced | | | | may never develop to its full potential. |
| policy change on everything from mining laws to | | | | As a travel destination, Mongolia is a special place |
| bus fares. | | | | for people who enjoy the outdoors and |
| Democracy has given foreign investors enough | | | | adventure. Heading out on the vast plains, riding |
| confidence to stick with Mongolia during hard | | | | horses and camping with nomad families, it offers |
| times. Attractive investment laws have lured | | | | the chance to step back in time to a simpler age |
| some of the big boys of the mining world – | | | | and way of life. It is an invigorating and |
| the major target of Mongolia's economic | | | | exhilarating place to visit, and remains one of the |
| reformers. Despite their progression, Mongolia still | | | | last unspoiled travel destinations in Asia. |
| faces enormous economic and social challenges; it | | | | |