Mongolia Attractions

Four Holy Peaks

Considered holy, the four peaks surrounding Ulaan Bataar are the Tsetseegum, Chingeltei, Songino Khairkhan and Bayansurkh mountains and they correspond roughly to the 4 points on the compass. These peaks are popular for their hiking, forests, grasslands and stunning bird and animal life.

Tsetseegum Uul is easily the most magnificent. At 2260m (7400ft), it's the highest point in the Bogdkhan Uul range. The trip is only sensible from the beginning of June to the end of September and a permit is required, which you can get at the entrance gate to the Bogdkhan National Park.

Ulaanbaatar

UB, as it is affectionately known by foreigners and locals alike, is a cauldron of concrete and dirt. It wasn't always so: a century ago camels plodded down unpaved main streets and Tibetan long horns bellowed from monasteries. Now, new buildings, humvees and European fashion shops are commonplace.

Built along the Tuul river and surrounded by lovely mountains, Ulaanbaatar is dominated by communist-style high-rise apartment buildings, but many locals also live in the extended outer suburbs. The centre of the city is Sükhbaatar Square.