rss-bridge 2023-03-31T04:25:31+00:00

Relaxed entry rules make it easier than ever to visit this stunning Asian nation

Due to its remoteness and short summer season, Mongolia has long been a destination overlooked by travelers.

Gobi Desert, Mongolia: Mongolia's dramatic landscapes have long captivated travelers looking for unique experiences. With the government declaring 2023 through 2025 the "Years to Visit Mongolia," citizens from 34 new countries can now visit the country visa-free through the end of 2025.

SinghaphanAllB/Moment RF/Getty Images

A new airport: The new Chinggis Khaan International Airport opened near capital Ulaanbaatar in 2021, offering state-of-the-art facilities and more scheduled flights. ' class='image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading' onload='this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')' onerror='imageLoadError(this)' height='1067' width='1600'/>

A new airport: The new Chinggis Khaan International Airport opened near capital Ulaanbaatar in 2021, offering state-of-the-art facilities and more scheduled flights.

Saruul Enkhbold/AP

Gengihs Khan Square: Though many travelers are keen to take in the country's beautiful natural scenery, there's much to experience in the capital, Ulaanbaatar. New attractions include the Chinggis Khaan Museum, which offers a fresh look at Mongolia's tumultuous history.' class='image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading' onload='this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')' onerror='imageLoadError(this)' height='1067' width='1600' loading='lazy'/>

Tuul & Bruno Morandi/The Image Bank RF/Getty Images

Naadam Festival: A wrestler is thrown to the ground by his opponent during the annual Naadamm festival in Ulaanbaatar. The famed event is held every July to celebrate the anniversary of Genghis Khan's march to world conquest. The sports festival, which turned 100 in 2022, features traditional Mongolian events including wrestling, archery and horse racing. ' class='image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading' onload='this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')' onerror='imageLoadError(this)' height='1066' width='1600' loading='lazy'/>

Mark Schiefelbein/AP

Spirit of Gobi: The Spirit of Gobi music festival is one of several major events happening in Mongolia this summer. Other exciting festivals worth checking out include Playtime, the INTRO Electronic Music Festival and the Kharkhorum 360 Visual Art & Music Experience. ' class='image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading' onload='this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')' onerror='imageLoadError(this)' height='1066' width='1600' loading='lazy'/>

Majesty Mongolia

Archery: Mounted archery is seeing a resurgence in Mongolia thanks to the Namnaa archery academy. In the summer months, the academy puts on weekly shows for interested spectators and offers day-long training sessions. ' class='image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading' onload='this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')' onerror='imageLoadError(this)' height='1067' width='1600' loading='lazy'/>

Namnaa Academy

Ancient calligraphy: Mongol bichig, a traditional Mongolian script written from top to bottom and read from left to right, has also seen a resurgence in recent years.' class='image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading' onload='this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')' onerror='imageLoadError(this)' height='1067' width='1600' loading='lazy'/>

Ancient calligraphy: Mongol bichig, a traditional Mongolian script written from top to bottom and read from left to right, has also seen a resurgence in recent years.

Byambasuren Byamba-Ochir/AFP/Getty Images

Arkhangai province: Scenes like this await visitors to Mongolia's Arkhangai province. Pictured is a yurt nomad camp in the steppe. ' class='image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading' onload='this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')' onerror='imageLoadError(this)' height='1067' width='1600' loading='lazy'/>

Arkhangai province: Scenes like this await visitors to Mongolia's Arkhangai province. Pictured is a yurt nomad camp in the steppe.

Tuul & Bruno Morandi/The Image Bank RF/Getty Images

Golden eagle hunting: A Kazakh man lets his eagle loose to hunt in the Altai mountains. ' class='image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading' onload='this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')' onerror='imageLoadError(this)' height='1068' width='1600' loading='lazy'/>

Golden eagle hunting: A Kazakh man lets his eagle loose to hunt in the Altai mountains.

Tuul & Bruno Morandi/The Image Bank RF/Getty Images

Winter in Mongolia: With few crowds, lower hotel rates and the chance to see one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world completely frozen over, winter in Mongolia is a frosty but fun experience. ' class='image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading' onload='this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')' onerror='imageLoadError(this)' height='1068' width='1600'/>

Wind of Mongolia

Where to stay: Nestled in the heart of Selenge province on the Yeruu River, Yeruu Lodge features a handful of fully kitted out yurts for guests. ' class='image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading' onload='this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')' onerror='imageLoadError(this)' height='1125' width='1600'/>

Where to stay: Nestled in the heart of Selenge province on the Yeruu River, Yeruu Lodge features a handful of fully kitted out yurts for guests.

Yeruu Lodge

New airport, new experiences: Why 2023 is the year to visit Mongolia

Editor’s Note: This CNN Travel series is, or was, sponsored by the country it highlights. CNN retains full editorial control over subject matter, reporting and frequency of the articles and videos within the sponsorship, in compliance with our policy.

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
CNN
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Due to its remoteness and short summer season, Mongolia has long been a destination overlooked by travelers.

But as the country moves to further open up to tourism by easing its entry conditions for international visitors and upgrading its infrastructure, 2023 might just be the best time yet to get there.

Here are 10 reasons travelers should start planning their long-dreamed-of Mongolia visit now.

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A growing visa-free list

With the government of Mongolia declaring 2023 through 2025 the “Years to Visit Mongolia,” citizens from an additional 34 countries can now visit the country visa-free through the end of 2025.

The addition of several European countries, including Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain, and the UK, as well as Australia and New Zealand, now brings the total number of countries and territories on the visa-exempt list to 61.

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