Why A Visit To Terelj National Park In Mongolia Is A Must

Last updated on 22 June 2026

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The Terelj National Park in Mongolia is perfect for getting away from the busy city

Terelj National Park is where you go when Ulaanbaatar’s pollution gets too much – about an hour out of the city, surrounded by mountains, valleys, and wide open grassland.

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, sits in a valley, which traps pollution in the city, and even in spring (winter’s the worst) it was enough to set off my asthma. The second day we were there, we headed out to Terelj, and I could actually breathe again.

Located to the northeast of the city, and officially called Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, Terelj is a beautiful series of valleys and mountains, of towering rock faces, and wide open grasslands.

Spring in Mongolia is still a little bleak. Winter was harsh the year we visited, so the greenery was taking its sweet time to come through.

While said grass was just starting to peek its way back through the ground as we were leaving Mongolia, you could really imagine what it might look like with green pastures and leafy trees.

Where We Stayed in Terelj

We stayed at a hotel at the end of the road (literally at the end of the road. If people want to go further than the main Terelj settlement, they had to cross a river in their cars, which can’t always be done), which overlooked the river, a valley of not-yet-green trees, and the starting point for horse treks into the hills.

As a kid, we spent many a weekend in these parts, getting out of the bustling city, so it was really cool to go back and reminisce a little (though I only remember fragments).

While I spent a good deal of our time in Terelj in the hotel room, reading books, and catching up on Netflix, I did wander out to the river a few times, and into the township to the shops.

It was during these trips to Terelj National Park that I was able to ride a Mongolian camel and also hold a vulture!

Things to do in Terelj National Park

Turtle Rock

Turtle Rock was one of my favourites, and probably because it’s a bit nostalgic too. We used to see it as kids on those weekend trips out of the city, so getting to stand in front of it again as an adult was really cool.

It’s this massive boulder that’s somehow ended up looking exactly like a turtle, and it’s become a bit of a good luck symbol locally. Definitely worth stopping or at least pausing at if you’re going past. Especially if you have kids – it’s something that has also stayed with me all these years later.

Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue

Technically it’s just outside the park, but close enough that everyone folds it into a Terelj day trip, and it’s genuinely worth it. We’re talking a 40-metre stainless steel statue of Genghis Khan on horseback, and you can actually climb up inside it for a proper panoramic view. There’s a small museum in the base too, if you want the history to go with the view.

Ariyabal Meditation Temple

This is on ei Haven’t been to, but there’s a Buddhist temple perched up on a hillside called Ariyabal, and getting there means climbing 108 stone steps, which is apparently meant to feel like a journey in itself, not just a walk to a view.

If you’ve got a spare afternoon and fancy something a bit quieter after a day of hiking or horse riding, it looks like exactly the kind of spot worth checking out.

Enjoying nature

And, at the end of the day, the drive is beautiful and vast, and even in the skarness of the season we were there it, it was still beautiful just being able to get out and enjoy the nature.

Some questions you might be pondering

How far is Terelj National Park from Ulaanbaatar?

Terelj National Park is roughly an hour’s drive southeast of Ulaanbaatar, making it an easy day trip or short overnight stay from the city.

What is there to do in Terelj National Park?

Terelj offers horse treks into the hills, river walks, and wildlife encounters; during one visit, it was even possible to ride a camel and hold a vulture nearby.

Is Terelj National Park worth visiting?

Yes – it’s a good escape from Ulaanbaatar’s pollution, with mountain valleys, grassland, and rock formations that feel completely different from the city.

What’s the best time of year to visit Terelj National Park?

If you’re planning your own trip, aim for June to September. August’s a good pick if you want fewer crowds, since the wildflowers are still going and the mountains are green, and early September brings out all the autumn colour on the hillsides. If winter’s more your thing, late February or early March means you miss the worst of the cold, and most of the other tourists too.