Why go to Mongolia? The 10 good reasons to go Mongolia

Government offices are open five days a week, generally from 8am to 5pm.

Private companies often open at 9am, but close later, usually between 6pm and 8pm.

Stores, offices and museums sometimes close in the middle of the day, but less so during the tourist season. Some have weekly closing days, so check before you go.

Restaurants often close around 10pm, or even 9pm for some, as Mongolians like to dine early, and rooms empty quickly after the meal. In Ulaanbaatar, however, some establishments are open until midnight. Note that in winter, everything closes earlier.

Please note that during the Naadam festival, everything is closed for five days.

In high season, some establishments can be overcrowded. July and August are the most popular months for tourists, so it's best to plan ahead! This is particularly true during Naadam, which takes place every year on July 11 and 12 in Ulaanbaatar. On these days of the year, the city's hotels are fully booked weeks in advance.

The same goes for the Ölgyi golden eagle festival in the west: hotels fill up quickly, so it's best to book your accommodation well in advance.

Among the great events that punctuate the Mongolian calendar, we can obviously mention the Naadam, the national holiday celebrating the independence of Mongolia from China. This one is first celebrated from July 11th to 13th in the capital, then smaller festivals are also organized locally in some cities and provinces, throughout July and August. These events are very exotic and allow to see the three "manly games" of archery, Mongolian wrestling and horse racing. During the tourist season, other festivals take place in the country, such as the reindeer festival on the shores of Lake Khovsgol and the yak festival in the Orkhon Valley.

The Tsagaan Sar, or Mongolian New Year, is also an important event in the country, the dates of which vary each year. It is marked by seven holidays, usually between January and March. Finally, the Golden Eagle Festival takes place between September and October in three different locations in the far west of the country. It is not easy to get there because of the very long distance to travel from Ulaanbaatar, but this festival definitely gives you a change of scenery and an opportunity to immerse yourself in Kazakh culture by watching their eagles at work.

Ulaanbaatar is a capital that's best explored on foot. The bus network is very efficient and functional, making it easy to get to more remote places, such as the Zaisan memorial or the Bogd Khan winter palace. Cabs are also easy to come by, as any private individual can provide them. All you have to do is stop a car and agree on the fare. While it's easy to visit the city on your own, many agencies offer day tours. For the rest of the country, it's best to use their services and hire a guide and driver.