The traveller guide to Mongolia
Everything to know before you land in Ulaanbaatar — written with the guides, hosts and drivers who work here.
Culture and etiquette
← The whole guideCulture and etiquetteHow to be a good guest in a gerNomad families open their homes to strangers every summer. A few simple customs show that you respect that — and most hosts will forgive the rest.7 min readCulture and etiquetteBoiled InnardsWhen a sheep is slaughtered, all of the innards are removed and prepared for eating.1 min readCulture and etiquetteTea with milkTea with [milk](https://mongolia-guide.com/about-mongolia/food/milk-suu) is the most consumed drink of Mongolia and you will be proposed some each time you…1 min readCulture and etiquetteByaslag-CheeseByaslag is a mild, unripened Mongolian cheese prepared from the milk of yak or cows.1 min readCulture and etiquetteMilk /Suu/Milk is sacred in Mongolia. It is sprinkled on horses and the wheels of vehicles, trains and even aero planes to bless the journey and the traveler.1 min readCulture and etiquetteRELIGIOUS MASK DANCE-TSAMTsam mask dancing is included in the art form called "Doigar” depicting independent imagination as one of the 10 kinds of wisdom according to ancient Indian…2 min readCulture and etiquetteTsaatanThe group of people who are herding their reindeers for any season are called Tsaatan.3 min readCulture and etiquetteKhotonKhotons are the Mongolian ethnic with a Turk origin. They inhabit in the south west of Uvs Lake. They believe in Muslim but Buddhism influenced them a lot.2 min readCulture and etiquetteUzemchinThey are inhabiting with Khalkhs in Erdenetsagaan soum of Sukhbaatar province and Sergelen and Bulgan soums of Dornod province.2 min readCulture and etiquetteUriankhaiThe Mongolian ethnic, Uriankhai, is the origin of Khyatan and Syanbi. They were the forest people hunting and living in North and West of Mongolia.2 min readCulture and etiquetteTorguudTorguuds are usually inhabiting in Bulgan soum of Khovd province. the origin of them was the wonderers of Mongolian kings and Torgon Army.3 min readCulture and etiquetteSartuulSartuul group was under Daldan Khundlun, the 6th son of Gersenz Jalair prince (1513-1549), Batmunkh-Dayan Khan’s son who is 14th grandchildren of Chinggis Khan…1 min readCulture and etiquetteUuldUuld is one of the Oirad provinces. Some believe that the term of uuld is from the long time evolution of Oirad, but some think it is from the name of Iludei.1 min readCulture and etiquetteMyangadThe term of Myangad was first noted in the 16th century and there are 3 different groups in it – Myangad, Basigid and Khirgis.2 min readCulture and etiquetteKazakhThe terms of “kasakh” and “khasag” were recorded in the history of the 10th century.2 min readCulture and etiquetteZakhchinIn the first half of 17th century, Zakhchins are defending the south east and east border of country, inhabiting in back of Tenger Mountain, Great Jultas, Baga…2 min readCulture and etiquetteDurvudDurvud is a group of Mongolian inhabitants having Durvud accent. Also they are one of the four main Durvud Oirad provinces which were founded in 1400-1755.3 min readCulture and etiquetteDarigangaDariganga residents reside in six soums of the Sukhbaatar province in the south-western part of the country and are named Dariganga in the name of the Dari…3 min readCulture and etiquetteDarkhadDarkhad is unique tradition inheriting the rituals of the Buu relegion and inhabiting Ulaan Taiga, Sayan mountain range, Lake Hovsgol, Renchinlkhümbe,…2 min readCulture and etiquetteBuryatThe species of ancient Mongolia, the ethnic group of modern Mongolia, and the-origin-of-Mongolian-language speakers of inhabitants.3 min readCulture and etiquetteBayadBayad is the plural form of a word "Bayan", meaning rich person.2 min readCulture and etiquetteBargaOne of ancient Mongol rulers is Barga. According to the ancient medieval sources, the origin of Bargas was the Bargajin tuhem of Baikal Lake, inhabiting by the…2 min readCulture and etiquetteShorlogChinggis Khan and his warriors spent several days in the journey, hunting and feeding.1 min readCulture and etiquetteKhorkhogIt is also a wrapper, but it is a meat dish that makes large boned meat in a well-cut container. In the past, it was usually made of straw.1 min readCulture and etiquetteKazThe horse meat that has been smoked and processed by Kazaks for a long time.1 min readCulture and etiquetteUuts for big celebrationit is a meal after the big traditional festival. It is meal that steamed the mix of male lambs, four-foot tall, sheep and other kinds of meats.1 min readCulture and etiquetteFish mealMongolians used to eat fish from the Xianbi period. The record of the Secret History of the Mongols and other source documents, Rashid al Din and Plano…1 min readCulture and etiquetteMeat mealOnly meat cooked in salt water. In addition to meat bones, Mongolians have been using daily meals of scalp, liver staple, black soup, meat fry, sealed broth,…1 min readCulture and etiquetteBortsThe longest way to preserve animal meat is to cut and dry. Pour the lambs with sheep, cows, camels and goats.1 min readCulture and etiquetteBoodogMeat is cooked in a jug of warm-cooked meat, which is incandescent to the juice of the body. Wrap them with goats and marmot meat.2 min read
Currency
Tögrög (MNT)
Time zone
UTC +8 (west +7)
Electricity
220V
Best season
June – September
Start here
Visa & entryMany nationalities can visit visa-free for 30–90 days. Check your passport’s rules before booking flights.Read more →Money & paymentsYou pay 10% online to book; the rest goes to your provider on the trip. Carry tögrög cash for the countryside.Read more →Getting aroundDistances are big and roads are rough. Book a vehicle with a driver unless you have off-road experience.Read more →Weather & packingSummer days are warm but nights are cold, even in July. Pack layers, a windproof jacket and sun cream.Read more →SIM & internetBuy a local SIM at the airport. Coverage is good in towns but patchy in remote areas.Read more →How to be a good guest in a gerNomad families open their homes to strangers every summer. A few simple customs show that you respect that — and most hosts will forgive the rest.Read more →
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When to go
November · Cold
Winter arrives. Ulaanbaatar and short trips only.
Day / night
−6° / −18°
Quiet season
Questions guests ask us
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