Start here · Essential guide
Mongolian Nature: Steppe, Desert, Forest and Mountain
A plain-language overview of Mongolia's main ecological zones, from northern taiga and mountains to open steppe and the Gobi, and how they run in broad bands.
Land and Nature
Nature and Wildlife
Steppe, desert, mountains, lakes and the animals living there.
Bactrian Camels of the Gobi
How the two-humped Bactrian camel works as a herder's animal and desert symbol in Mongolia, and the features that help it cope with cold, heat and scarce water.
Climate Change and Mongolian Grasslands
How warming, drought and grazing pressure are discussed in relation to Mongolia's grasslands and herding, and why the causes are debated and uncertain.
Mongolian Flora: Wildflowers, Larch Forests and Desert Shrubs
A guide to Mongolia's main plant zones, from Siberian larch and alpine meadows to steppe grasses, wildflowers and the saxaul shrubs of the Gobi.
The Mongolian Steppe Explained
What a steppe is, why trees are scarce on Mongolia's grasslands, and how grass, grazing animals and herding life fit together across the open plains.
The Takhi: Przewalski's Horse
The story of the takhi, Przewalski's horse: a truly wild horse species that vanished from the wild, survived in zoos, and was later reintroduced to Mongolia.
Wildlife You Might See in Mongolia
A general, honestly hedged survey of Mongolia's best-known wild animals by habitat, with notes on which are rarely seen and how to improve your chances.
Related topics
More in land and nature
Regions of Mongolia The main regions and what each is known for. Seasons and Weather How climate and seasons shape travel and daily life. Protected Areas and Parks National parks, nature reserves and how protected land works in Mongolia. Lakes, Rivers and Mountains The waters and highlands that define Mongolian geography. Wildlife Spotlights Closer looks at individual species and habitats.