Mongolia travel

During our desert adventure exploring Mongolia, we realized that gasoline is mainly imported from Russia, and fuel prices are not affordable when renting a car to travel through the desert. We started from the capital, Ulaanbaatar, heading south through the Middle Gobi and South Gobi provinces, and then returning to Ulaanbaatar via the Üröcken province. The entire journey took nine days, covering approximately 2,200 kilometers, with over six hours of driving each day. Despite the long drive, we frequently saw wild cattle, sheep, horses, and camels along the way, either resting or running, as if we were in a scene from a National Geographic Channel documentary.

During our 9-day desert journey, we were fortunate to appreciate many unique natural landscapes and charming towns. For example, Chagansubulga and White Pagoda Mountain were once a river, and although they are now dry, the colors of the stones are ever-changing, and the texture of the soil is quite special, with a soft and unforgettable feel underfoot. Winter temperatures in Mongolia can drop to -30 degrees Celsius, and the Yuen River Valley freezes over in winter. Even in summer, we could still see some huge ice floes, and the wild mammal population was quite abundant.

On the other hand, in the desert, there is a charming town called Albayre. Although the town's buildings lack a unified plan and each house is different in height and color, they coexist in a surprisingly harmonious way.

Desert weather is unpredictable. The sunrises and sunsets in Mongolia are always breathtaking, seemingly untouched by pollution. However, besides the significant temperature difference between day and night, even on seemingly clear days, the wind can pick up in an instant. Two hours earlier, we had canceled our camel ride to the top of the dunes to watch the sunset due to the sandstorm, but two hours later, we were able to sit outside our yurt and relax, enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Coming to the Gobi Desert, how could we miss the sand dunes? Therefore, we decided to get up early the next morning and ride camels to our destination—the top of the dunes. At first, this seemingly easy activity became increasingly difficult as we climbed. The sand became softer and softer, each step accompanied by a half-step backward, and eventually we had to use both hands and feet to reach the top. The Hunguolin Desert is one of the largest desert regions in Mongolia, and we felt we had only traversed a small part of it.

During this adventure, we not only admired breathtaking natural landscapes but also gained a profound understanding of the ever-changing nature of the Mongolian desert. At sunrise, golden light bathed the desert, turning the entire sandy land into a golden sea; while at nightfall, the starry sky was dazzling, with countless stars seemingly telling us the stories of the desert.

It's worth mentioning that we encountered Mongolia's unique desert weather. Although the large temperature difference between day and night was quite challenging, what impressed us even more were the sudden storms. Our planned sunset viewing at the desert summit was cancelled because a sudden sandstorm made the wind and sand unbearable. However, the wind in Mongolia is also a magical phenomenon; after just a short while, the sky would clear up again after the storm, like a fantastical wind and rain drama.

Concluding this unforgettable trip to Mongolia, we returned with love and respect for the country's unique charm. This adventure not only allowed us to deeply experience the fantastical beauty of the desert but also gave us a taste of Mongolia's rich and diverse culture and the warmth of its people. Such a journey was not just an adventure, but an unforgettable life experience.