Western Mongolia

Region

High mountains, glaciers and salt lakes in the far west. Bayan-Ölgii is home to Kazakh eagle hunters and their October Golden Eagle Festival, Altai Tavan Bogd has Mongolia's highest peaks, and Uvs and Khovd have great lakes and ethnic diversity. Access is by long flights or longer drives.

Western Mongolia Uvs NuurKhar-Us LakeK’uei-t’un ShanKhyargas NuurAchit NuurOtgontengerAirag LakeHar NuurMongol Altayn NuruuDörgön LakeÜüreg LakeKhoton LakeTelmen LakeTolbo LakeKhar Lake (Zavkhan)Ozero Tere-Khol’Dayan LakeKhurgan LakeOigon LakeChihachev UulBayan LakeTsambagarav Uul National ParkHar Us Nuur National ParkTarvagatai Nuruu National ParkBulgan Gol-Ikh Ongog National ParkKhan-Khokhi Khyargas Mountain National ParkMunkhkhairkhan National ParkUlaagchinii Khar Nuur National ParkKhar Us Nuur National ParkÖlgiiKhovdUlaangomUliastaiAltai Tavan Bogd National ParkKhüiten PeakUvs Nuur BasinPetroglyphic Complexes of the Mongolian Altai

Western Mongolia essentials

Country: Mongolia
Driest months: Jan-Mar
Pay in: Tugrik (₮)
Emergency: 102

Where to Go in Western Mongolia

City Ulaangom UlaangomWestern town near Uvs Lake City Khovd KhovdWestern town in the Altai foothills City Ölgii ÖlgiiKazakh eagle-hunter town in the far west City Uliastai UliastaiCity in Mongolia, notable for natural beauty Nature Uvs Nuur Uvs NuurEndorheic lake and UNESCO biosphere reserve Nature Khüiten Peak Khüiten PeakHighest peak of Mongolia in the Altai range. Nature Khar-Us Lake Khar-Us LakeLarge western Mongolian lake supporting waterfowl Nature K’uei-t’un Shan K’uei-t’un ShanMountain range in western Mongolia Nature Khyargas Nuur Khyargas NuurEndorheic lake in western Mongolia's Uvs Province Nature Achit Nuur Achit NuurFreshwater lake on Mongolia–Russia border. Nature Otgontenger OtgontengerHighest peak of Khangai range, sacred Mongolian mountain Nature Airag Lake Airag LakeShallow saline lake in western Mongolia's Uvs Province
Regions & Cities
Ölgii Explore Ölgii Ölgii is the Kazakh heart of Mongolia - eagle hunters, felt-makers and yurt bazaars dominate; festival season brings mounted games, and jeep routes lead into the Altai for glaciers and alpine lakes. Khovd Explore Khovd 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. Explore Ulaangom Ulaangom feels remote - western Mongolian foothills meet Uvs Lake basin; travelers arrive to meet Kazakh herders, ride camels or horses, and explore salt lakes and hot springs. Uliastai Explore Uliastai Uliastai acts as a gateway to western Mongolia’s steppe and the Khangai ridges: dusty bazaars, Soviet-era public buildings and frequent horse trailers. Altai Tavan Bogd National Park Explore Altai Tavan Bogd National Park Home to the Tavan Bogd massif on Mongolia’s western border, Altai Tavan Bogd National Park offers glacier‑topped peaks, multi‑day treks, Kazakh nomad culture and horseback travel opportunities. Khüiten Peak Explore Khüiten Peak Khüiten Peak crowns Mongolia’s Altai range as the country’s highest mountain; climbers and trekkers attempt glaciated routes and visit Kazakh communities on the border. Uvs Nuur Basin Explore Uvs Nuur Basin Uvs Nuur Basin spans steppe and saline lake country on the Mongolia-Russia border. Explore Petroglyphic Complexes of the Mongolian Altai Rock-carving panels and burial monuments scattered across the Mongolian Altai mountains; travellers arrive on expedition tours to see prehistoric petroglyphs, steppe panoramas and archaeological field sites in remote terrain.

Top Cities in Western Mongolia

Ulaangom Khovd Ölgii Uliastai

Western Mongolia at a Glance

Local Time
7:14 AM
GMT+7
Population
336,868

Best Things to Do in Western Mongolia