//
Mongolia
Photo: Altaihunters, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Western Mongolia is a region in Mongolia covering the provinces (or Aimags) of Bayan-Ölgii, Hovd, Uvs, and Zavkhan. It is the most remote region of the country with paved roads from the capital, Ulaanbaatar, ending 320 km (200 miles) before reaching the eastern most point of Zavkhan. It is also the most ethnically diverse, mountainous, and scenic region of Mongolia, with thousands of years of history. The region is home to the Kazakhs, a Muslim tribe from near the Caspian Sea, and Oirats, or western Mongols, which can be divided into 10 different tribes, as well as Khalkhs, or eastern Mongols. In addition to the ethnic diversity, the region is home to the Altai Mountain Range, with the highest peaks in Mongolia, Lake Uvs, a large saltwater lake, and many smaller lakes, mountains, rivers, forests, and steppe. Spread throughout the region are countless archeological sites with petroglyphs, cave paintings, standing stone monuments, monasteries, and ancient forts that date back as far as 10,000 years.
Flights for Ulaanbaatar to airports in Ölgii (ULG), Hovd (HVD), Ulaangom (ULO), and Uliastai (at Donoi Airport ULZ) daily or several times a week on AeroMongolia or Hunnu Air.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Khovd · Regional · HVD
Loading places around the airport…
Jyrgalant is the capital of the Hovd province of Mongolia. By extension it is directly named Khovd or Hovd (Mongolian: Ховд).
Ölgii is the capital of Bayan-Ölgii province and is also known as Olgii, Ulgy, or Ulgii. Ölgii serves as the starting off point for visiting Altai Tavan Bogd National Park and Tsambagarav National Park and the beautiful snow-capped mountains, glaciers, plentiful wildlife, nomadic herders who live in felt tents called gers, and eagle hunters just outside the city.
Ulaangom is the capital of Uvs province. It is near Uvs Lake, a large saltwater lake with the largest surface area in Mongolia.
Uliastai is the capital of Zavkhan province, and a former provincial capital of the Manchu Empire.
Altai Tavan Bogd National Park (Mongolian: Алтай Таван богд байгалийн цогцолбор газар) is located on the westernmost point of Mongolia in Bayan-Ulgii Province. This vast mountainous park borders China and Russia with views of Kazakhstan from the highest peak in Mongolia.
Tsambagarav Uul National Park is located in Bayan-Ölgii and Hovd.
Articles and travel topics about Western Mongolia and Mongolia.
Nature & adventurePlan your adventure with our complete Mongolia travel guide. Discover nomadic ger camps, Gobi Desert dunes, Lake Khuvsgul, Naadam, and transport tips.
7 min read
ItinerariesThe Trans-Siberian Railway (Russian: Транссиби́рская магистраль Transsibírskaya magistral' or Трансси́б Transsíb) is the name given to the rail routes that traverse Siberia from Moscow.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyThe Mongols came to rule much of Asia and Europe during the 13th century, becoming the largest contiguous land empire ever, and second only to the British Empire in total land area.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesMarco Polo was a Venetian traveler who went far to the East, following some of the many branches of the Silk Road. He left in 1271 and returned about 1295.
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.