If you love to travel new paths then Mongolia might be the place for you in 2026. For decades, the country was very difficult to visit and it became known as the “Empty Country.” Well, it’s not so empty now. Read on to find why you might want to put it on your bucket list.
The Landscape & Warriors
When folks think of Mongolia, they probably see in their mind’s eye old century pictures of warriors on horseback in the middle of nowhere.
Well, it’s not surprising because it is a land full of massive grasslands, brutal winters, and the history of Genghis Khan is well-known.
For a long time, tourists just didn’t go there. But, after years of keeping people out and making political mistakes, the country changed the rules.
Nowadays, visitors show up in record numbers to see one of the last wild places left almost untouched by development.
Why the Government Changed Its Mind
Mongolia’s tourism history is full of bad decisions. The country opened up a bit in the 2000s and started seeing visitors from Europe. But around 2016, the government shut things down.
Why? Well, it seems that they objected to Euro countries not reciprocating with easy access. However, the disaster that slammed the doors shut ended in 2023.
Finally, the government realized its economy relied too much on mining and needed tourism. So, they started a campaign called “Go Mongolia” and dropped visa requirements for 34 countries, including the UK, and Australia.
Recently, they extended the eased restriction for another year.
What People Are Flying To See
Lots of people took advantage of the new visa requirements already. And if you’re not one of them, perhaps the place brings a new adventure for you.
These days, escape from the hustle and bustle means something good. So, folks fly to Mongolia for the same reasons they once avoided the place. Isolation and quiet is a real treasure for many folks these days.
As the video MONGOLIA: The Empty Country shows below, the country’s best feature is its “profound, disorienting emptiness.”
Travelers want space and something real, not crowded cities. Mongolia has a few specific regions drawing explorers:
- The Gobi Desert: It is not just sand. It features cliffs, dunes, and famous fossil beds.
- The Steppe: Huge grasslands where herders still live with horses and yaks.
- The North: Lake Khövsgöl offers a freezing, clean wilderness near Siberia.
- The History: Visitors flock to the ruins of the old capital, Karakorum, and giant statues of Genghis Khan.
Local Hospitality
The best part of the trip for most people is meeting the locals. Mongolian nomads might live a life that seems better suited to post apocalyptic movies, but they seem very friendly according to those who went there.
In fact, their traditional tents seem welcoming and visitors aren’t likely to be spurned. In fact, folks find accommodation with families and get to live life as old as the hills around them.
Some folks enjoy herding the livestock and the feeling of permanently camping out under a vast sky.
Mongolia finally got out of its own way and by fixing the visa issues, they let the landscape draw in people tired of glitzy night life and crowded market places.
Viewers React
In the comments section, many people who watched the video seemed taken with the concept of history and the lack of development. One appreciative person wrote, “Mongolia is one place that should be worth visiting before dying.”
Here are a few more comments from the discussion:
- A fascinating look at the balance between ancient heritage and modern life. From the empire of Genghis Khan to the bustling streets of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s story is truly unique.
- THAT’S what I need! A yurt and a yak! And, one of those eagles!
- To think this is the people that once raided Eurasia, plundered and sacked cities and towns all over.
What are your thoughts? Do you think that Mongolia sounds intriguing? Let us know in the comments below, and remember to come back here often for all your travel news and updates.
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