Down south, another popular destination is the sometimes bleak open spaces of the Gobi Desert, with spectacular sand dunes like the Khongoryn Els (pictured here, dubbed “the singing dunes”); the red “flaming cliffs” of Bayanzag; and Yoliin Am (Vulture Valley), an icy gorge running through the Gurvan Saikhan mountains and the national park name for them.  Part of the fun out here is overnighting in a ger camps and riding two-humped Bactrian camels. The best way to do all the above, of course, is with a tour operator based out of the capital (though a number of international tour operators also have Mongolia itineraries).

Read more in my post Happy Mongolia Day! And Welcome to a Most Singular Land.