Mongolia is far-flung and little visited yet has much to offer in terms of scenery, wildlife, and historic and cultural sites. Outside the main cities, Mongolians continue to live the traditional life of malchin (herdsmen), and many are nomadic. Transporting their goods by camel and residing in portable felt and canvas tents (gers), the nomadic lifestyle of 21st century Mongolia would still be recognizable to Ghengis Khan, the most famous Mongol of them all.

With one of the world's lowest population densities, Mongolia's vast areas of wilderness, desert, lakes and mountains offer plenty of scope for adventurous outdoor enthusiasts. Fishing, jeep tours, horse and camel riding, mountain biking and birdwatching are but a few of the activities on offer.

Infrastructure is poor and undeveloped in rural areas but the capital Ulaanbaatar is fast transforming itself into a modern city with international restaurants, luxury hotels, shopping malls and glass tower blocks. But leaving the capital does not necessarily mean leaving civilization; Internet is now available in small villages and it's not uncommon to see nomads toting mobile phones.

From the Word Travels destination guide to Mongolia copyright Globe Media 2011