Almost inexplicably, Mongolia, a ruggedly beautiful country bordered by Kazakhstan, Russia, and China, largely escaped the attention of all but the most adventurous travellers until the late twentieth century. Consequently, this enigmatic country retains much of its ancient culture and tradition - when you visit, you'll no doubt feel that you're exploring an undiscovered country.
Travelling through Mongolia by rail is by far the best way to appreciate the sheer scale and beauty of its unspoilt terrain. The country forms part of one of the most iconic train journeys in the world: the 8,000-mile trip through Northern Asia aboard the Trans-Siberian Express, a truly extraordinary journey.
Ask one of our friendly advisors to include Mongolia on your bespoke holiday itinerary, and you'll enjoy spectacular views of the vast, grassy steppes for which the country is famous. In this wild and open country, nomadic shepherds still tend their flocks, sleeping in the traditional round yurt, a portable tent constructed from wood and animal skins or felt. This rugged land reveals more treasures as you pass distant mountains, desert dunes and clear, placid lakes.
Travel across Asia on this suggested itinerary from Moscow to Beijing. Visit Irkutsk, Lake Baikal, and cross the Gobi Desert before arriving in China and taking in the sights from the top of the Great Wall. This tour also offers the chance to discover the hidden cultures of Mongolia.
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View holiday details >Eventually this pastoral beauty gives way to the urban sweep of Ulaanbaatar, and the contrast between countryside and capital city couldn't be more marked. Mongolia's commercial and financial hub, Ulaanbaatar, chaotically blends ancient and modern in a cultural melting pot that is both exciting and awe-inspiring.
Amidst office blocks, shopping malls and skyscrapers you'll discover historic treasures such as Gandan Khiid, a beautiful Buddhist monastery built in the late nineteenth century, and the Winter Palace of Mongolia's last king, Jebtzun Damba Hutagt VIII, which is now a museum featuring a large collection of stuffed animals.
Ulaanbaatar boasts many other fine museums, art galleries and theatres, along with a cosmopolitan selection of shops and restaurants all of which combine to make the city a must-see destination.
Create your tailor made holiday with GRJ independent and discover for yourself some of Asia's most beautiful unspoilt landscapes in a country that is exciting, traditional, and hospitable in equal measure. Add extra rail journeys, visit unmissable destinations, and stay in your favourite hotels; on your bespoke adventure, the choice is all yours.
