Cities in Mongolia
The most important cities in Mongolia at a glance – from the bustling metropolis to the charming small town. Each city links to a detailed page with map, attractions and travel tips.
Nalaikh
Nalaikh, formerly the most important coal mine for Ulaanbaatar, is today a remote district.
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Tsetserleg
Tsetserleg translates to 'garden' and is considered one of the most beautiful provincial towns in Mongolia.
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Zamyn-Üüd
Zamyn-Üüd is the most important border crossing between Mongolia and China.
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Kharkhorin
Kharkhorin is located near the ruins of Karakorum, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire in the 13th century.
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Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar is the coldest capital city in the world, home to nearly half of Mongolia's population.
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Öndörkhaan
Öndörkhaan, officially renamed Chinggis City, is located in the eastern Khentii Mountains.
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Khovd
Khovd is one of Mongolia's oldest cities, with a history dating back to the 17th century.
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Uliastai
Uliastai is one of the oldest settlements in Mongolia, located in the center of the Khangai Mountains.
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Tosontsengel
Tosontsengel is considered one of the coldest settlements in Mongolia.
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Mandalgovi
Mandalgovi is the capital of the Middle Gobi province and forms the transition between the steppe and the actual Gobi Desert.
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Sainshand
Sainshand is a desert city on the Trans-Mongolian Railway leading into Chinese Inner Mongolia.
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Ulaangom
Ulaangom is located near the Russian border in an extreme climatic zone within the Uvs Basin.
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Ölgii
Ölgii is the center of the Kazakh minority in western Mongolia.
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Altai
The city of Altai is situated at high altitude in the Gobi-Altai province.
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Erdenet
Erdenet is the second-largest city in Mongolia, founded in 1974 specifically for copper and molybdenum mining.
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Choir
Choir emerged as a significant Soviet military base along the Trans-Mongolian Railway.
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Bayankhongor
Bayankhongor offers an extreme scenic diversity, from snow-capped peaks in the north to sandy deserts in the south.
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Khutul
Khutul is a major center for the building materials industry.
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Sükhbaatar
Sükhbaatar is located at the confluence of the Orkhon and Selenge rivers on the Russian border.
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Züünmod
Züünmod is located just 40 kilometers south of Ulaanbaatar, separated by the Bogd Khan Uul mountains.
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Darkhan
Darkhan was built in 1961 with massive Soviet support as an industrial hub in the north.
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Dalanzadgad
Dalanzadgad is the gateway to the Gobi Desert in southern Mongolia.
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Sharyn Gol
Sharyn Gol is a classic Soviet coal-mining town nestled in a valley.
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Bulgan
Bulgan is a charming small town surrounded by forest steppes in northern Mongolia.
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Bor-Öndör
Bor-Öndör is a relatively isolated mining town in the vast steppe.
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Arvaikheer
Arvaikheer is located in central Mongolia and serves as the gateway to the historical Orkhon Valley region.
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Mörön
Mörön serves as the administrative center of the mountainous Khövsgöl province in the north.
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Choibalsan
Choibalsan is the economic hub of eastern Mongolia.
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Züünkharaa
Züünkharaa is a bustling railway town in the scenic Kharaa River valley.
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Baruun-Urt
Baruun-Urt is the center of the eastern steppe region of Sükhbaatar.
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Ögii Lake
A scenic freshwater lake in Arkhangai, famous for its abundant fish and as a paradise for birdwatchers in the central Mongolian steppe.
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Tsagaannuur (Reindeer area)
The gateway to remote northern Mongolian taiga, home to the Tsaatan reindeer herders and a place of deeply rooted shamanistic traditions.
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Tolbo Lake
A high-altitude freshwater lake along the road to Ölgii, known for its deep blue colors and historical significance.
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Khövsgöl Lake
Known as the 'Blue Pearl' of Mongolia, this massive freshwater lake is surrounded by majestic mountains and larch forests.
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Uvs Lake
Mongolia's largest lake by surface area, a massive saline body of water in the Uvs Nuur Basin, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Khar Us Lake
A vast freshwater wetland in western Mongolia, known for its extensive reed beds and rare aquatic birds.
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Khoton Lake
A crystal-clear alpine lake in the Altai Mountains, surrounded by larch forests and snow-capped peaks near the Chinese border.
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Terelj
A stunning national park near Ulaanbaatar, famous for its bizarre rock formations and green alpine valleys.
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Khatgal
A charming village on the southern shore of Khövsgöl Lake, serving as the main gateway for explorations in the region.
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Tsenkher Hot Springs
Natural geothermal springs located in a lush mountain valley, offering relaxation in mineral-rich waters.
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Gun-Galuut
A scenic nature reserve combining high mountains, steppes, and wetlands along the Kherlen River.
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Ikh Gazriin Chuluu
A stunning granite rock range in Dundgovi Province, famous for its unique and bizarre geological formations.
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Sangiin Dalai Lake
A peaceful saltwater lake in northern Mongolia, known for its pristine nature and rare bird species.
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Khongoryn Els
Massive sand dunes in the Gobi Desert known for the musical sound produced by shifting winds.
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Renchinlkhümbe
A remote village in the Darkhad Valley, famous for its shamanic traditions and proximity to the taiga.
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Khujirt
A famous spa resort in the Orkhon Valley, renowned for its healing thermal springs and mud baths.
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Buir Lake
The largest lake in Eastern Mongolia, famous for its sandy beaches and abundant fish species.
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Tsambagarav
A majestic, glacier-capped mountain in the Altai range, sacred to local Mongolian nomads.
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Lake Achit
The largest freshwater lake in Uvs Province, a haven for migratory birds and nature enthusiasts.
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Khustai
National park famous for the successful reintroduction of the Przewalski's horses (Takhi).
Learn more →Frequently asked questions
What are the largest cities in Mongolia?
This page lists the most important cities by population – each with its own detail page, map and attractions.
How do I find attractions per city?
Click a city – the detail page lists the top attractions, a map and travel tips.