Top 7 Things to Do in Mongolia in the Winter

The capital of Mongolia is said to receive the most severe winter in the world. The temperature in January goes around 15 degrees Celsius south to -35 degrees Celsius in the north. (See Mongolia Weather in January) This frozen paradise in winter is mesmerizing with so much enthusiasm that you just might switch beach holidays with snow locations. Some people consider Mongolia in the winters as one of the most inappropriate time to visit, but we say they have never come across these things to try in Mongolia. Let us introduce you to some of the fun things to try in Mongolia during winters.

To give you a clear understanding of why visiting Mongolia in the winter might be one of the best things to do, here are the incredible things you can do during the freezing cold.

1. Bowling

If you love bowling, then get ready to enjoy a great time bowling in Mongolia. In most parts of the country, bowling centers are packed during the winter. The most common are the three centers in the capital city and others in the south suburbs. This sport is so loved by the natives and tourists that no one leaves before enjoying themselves in one of these bowling centers.

2. Visit the Camel Festival

The festival honors the Bactrian camel’s qualities. The two-humped endangered camel is the native to Mongolia, and this festival honors the beauty of this creature. It is also known as the "Thousand Camel Festival" and happens in the Gobi Desert region. The festival is celebrated in the traditional style with music and dance performances, and camel races.

It happens in Bulgan soum, Umnugobi (South Gobi) aimag, you can reach the location by Hiring a guide/driver to help you with the direction.

Read More about 5 Best Traditional Mongolia Festivals

3. Ice Skating

This activity is necessary to try in Mongolia in the winter. Inevitably, this is a must-do for all the tourists. So put on your skate shoes and let us go and roll on the ice. The capital has a few of the locations for ice-skating and you will definitely go to love them. The most central and magical though is the outdoor ice rink located on Genghis Khan's central square. It opens usually mid-December. You will often find many Mongols sliding around on the frozen Tuul River because it freezes during winters.

4. Visit the Ice Festival

This is one of the most loved festivals of the nation and tourists visit Mongolia in the winter just to attend the festival. Beautiful Khuvsgul Lake lies in northern Mongolia. This festival is equally appreciated by both visitors and locals and has been known as the important highlight of winter in the country. The program is versatile: there is an international skating marathon ice sculpture shows, shaman ceremonies, horse sleigh races, and you could even see the herds of reindeers that are specially brought from the north Taiga.

5. Dog Sledging

If you leave Mongolia without experiencing the Dog Sledge, then you have seriously missed something. So, visit out of town to enjoy the snowy countryside is a must. You can plan a day from your tour and run through the Terelj National Park’s spectacular sceneries on Dog Sledge. Tours run between December and April.

6. Sports

If it is cold in Mongolia, then the best way to warm up is sports. Here are a number of ideas for an afternoon. Basketball and volleyball are the two most popular sports in Mongolia. It is common in Mongolia in the winter, and you will be surprised to see how perfect it is for Mongolians!

Then, if you want to dispute with your mates about a basketball game, be mindful that you can book a pitch with it anywhere in town.

7. Search for snow leopard

This is a ferocious activity and requires a lot of enthusiasm. The snow leopard is a stunning, big cat native to Central Asia. There are just about 6,500 animals remain in the wild. Mongolia is one of the few places where you can still find the magnificent beast. Especially, in the high mountain region of the Gobi Altai, there are many incredible beats that look beautiful but you must be careful while exploring. Winter is a good time to spot the animal as they are coming down from the mountain to find food.

There is one more thing that is quite common in Mongolia in the winter; people go for karaoke a lot. If you have a Mongolian friend or a tour guide, they will definitely take you to karaoke. It is a known fact that Mongolians love singing and you must not deny them or it might come out as rude. See 6 Things about Mongolian People

However, the best suggestion for you would be to book a Mongolian Tour because they will take care of everything. You can easily plan your itinerary and fulfill them at best price. The trip to Mongolia in winters will be one of the best adventures you can have anywhere in the world.