Khovd (city) Travel Guide
City City in Mongolia known for its landscapes
Khovd sits beneath Altai ridges, a mosaic of ethnic groups; visitors use it as a base for highland treks, Kazakh eagle-hunting demonstrations, and tasting dairy preserves and roasted lamb.
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Why Visit Khovd (city)? #
Framed by Altai foothills, Khovd draws travelers interested in mountain access and ethnic diversity. The town’s lively bazaar and regional ethnographic museum introduce visitors to numerous local groups-Tuvan, Kazakh and Mongol-and their distinct crafts and customs. Khovd is also a practical base for exploring alpine pastures, yak and horse culture, and seasonal festivals that showcase traditional music and riding skills. Food stalls and small cafes reflect the area’s hearty mountain cuisine.
Top Things to Do in Khovd (city)
- Khovd Regional Museum - Museum of local history, ethnography and displays on Altai cultures.
- Old Bazaar area - Market streets offering Altai handicrafts, dried dairy and local produce.
- Khovd River embankment - Pleasant riverwalks beside the Khovd River with local cafés and views.
- Kazakh cultural centers - Local Kazakh family workshops preserving traditional music and crafts open to visitors.
- Local food stalls offering regional dishes - Street vendors serving regional dishes like khuushuur and dairy specialties.
- Small artisan studios - Workshops producing woodwork and textiles showcasing local techniques and skills.
- Hovd Valley excursions to Altai foothills - Short trips to nearby foothills for nomadic homestays and horseback treks.
- Khar-Us Lake (west of Khovd) - Wetland area for birdwatching and flatland landscapes near the provincial region.
Best Time to Visit Khovd (city) #
Khovd has extreme continental seasons - bitter winters and short warm summers. Visit June-August for trekking, cultural sites and accessible highlands; winters are remote and very cold.
Best Time to Visit Khovd (city) #
Khovd (city)'s climate is classified as Cold Desert - Cold Desert climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -30°C to 25°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -17°C and lows of -30°C. The driest month with just 1 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -11°C and lows of -25°C. The driest month with just 1 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -14°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of -2°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 5°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 11°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with 37 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 11°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 4°C. Light rainfall.
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October
October is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -5°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -16°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -13°C and lows of -25°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Khovd (city)
Khovd is best reached by domestic flight from Ulaanbaatar; overland travel is possible but slow. The airport is close to town and short taxi rides connect you to guesthouses and markets.
Khovd Airport (HVD): Khovd is served by scheduled domestic flights from Ulaanbaatar and sometimes from other regional centres (carriers vary). Flight times are about 1.5-2 hours; on arrival a short taxi into the town is usual, with fares typically in the MNT low thousands.
Ulaanbaatar (ULN): Most international visitors connect via Ulaanbaatar and then take a domestic flight to Khovd. Domestic schedules are limited and can change seasonally-book in advance.
Train: The national rail network does not provide convenient passenger access to Khovd; rail is not a practical arrival option.
Bus / Road: Overland options exist but journeys from Ulaanbaatar are very long and road quality varies; private transfers or organized tours are commonly used for regional travel beyond the town limits.
How to Get Around Khovd (city) #
Khovd town is compact and walkable in the centre, though the wider aimag is spread out and requires transport. Local buses and marshrutkas connect to surrounding soums; taxis serve short in-town trips. If you plan to explore the ethnically diverse region, hiring a driver or arranging transport through local guides is practical. Roads to remote areas can be rough outside summer months.
Where to Stay in Khovd (city) #
Where to Eat in Khovd (city) #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Khovd (city)'s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Khovd (city) #
Evening options are limited to a few local bars and guesthouse restaurants. There isn’t a developed nightlife scene - most social activity happens in cafes and family-run establishments.
Shopping in Khovd (city) #
Khovd’s shopping is focused on a central bazaar and small shops selling food, textiles and everyday goods. You can find regional produce and traditional items at the market, though selection is modest compared with Ulaanbaatar.