According to the National Statistics Office, 471.2 thousand foreign travelers visited Mongolia in 2019. According to reports, the top nationalities of tourists visiting Mongolia are Chinese, Russian, South Korean, Japanese and American. In a survey on 3500 tourists, 60.7% revealed that nature was their reason for visiting Mongolia while 42.4% were there to witness the nomadic lifestyle. Adventures such as horseback riding and trekking made up 12.1% while 11.3% of the surveyed tourists said they were interested in Mongolia’s rich history, particularly Genghis Khan.

To get the most out of your visit to Mongolia, plan your travel when the weather and climate are just right. Mongolia has four beautiful seasons, and your idea of the perfect trip depends on what your favorite season is or if you’re looking forward to a specific Mongolian festival or event. 

Spring in Mongolia lasts from March to mid-May. The weather can be unpredictable, and winter chills can continue until mid-April. However, it’s the perfect time to be there to welcome Mongolian nomads’ newborn animals or marvel at various species of birds. And if you’re a nature lover, the first wildflowers begin to show in the countryside, growing in the snow. March is also when residents of the Khovsgol Lake area celebrate the Ice Festival and the Thousand Camel Festival takes place. 

For fun summer days, set your sights on Mongolia between mid-May and late August. Thanks to the Naadam Games, July is a peak month for tourists. And despite the summer heat, prepare your raincoat and umbrella as short bursts of rain are typical during the summer. However, it’s still an ideal time to visit the parks and temples. 

During September and October - experience Mongolian autumn. There are fewer crowds during the Autumn months, making it ideal if you want to experience the Gobi Desert in peace. The first weekend of October is also when you can catch the annual Golden Eagle Festival. 

And if you’re a fan of colder, frosty weather, winter in Mongolia starts November and lasts until February. In January, temperatures can fall as low as -40°C. Spending your winter in Mongolia means having the opportunity to visit the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park which is especially magical and scenic during the wintertime.