editor’s Word: This CNN journey sequence is, or was, sponsored by the nation it highlights. CNN workout routines full editorial management over the content material, reporting and frequency of articles and movies throughout the sponsorship, in compliance with our coverage. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia CNN , Due to its remoteness and brief summer time season, Mongolia has lengthy been an undiscovered vacation spot by vacationers. However because the nation strikes to open up extra to tourism by easing its entry situations for worldwide guests and upgrading its infrastructure, 2023 might be one of the best time but to get there. Listed below are 10 causes vacationers ought to begin planning their long-dreamt journey to Mongolia now. With the federal government of Mongolia declaring 2023 to 2025 as “Years to go to Mongolia”, residents of a further 34 nations can now go to the nation visa-free till the tip of 2025. The addition of a number of European nations, together with Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain and the UK, in addition to Australia and New Zealand, now takes the full variety of nations and territories on the visa-free listing to 61. Full listing is right here. After years of delays, a pandemic and lots of controversies, the newly constructed Chinggis Khan Worldwide Airport is lastly set to open in the summertime of 2021. With the capability to deal with round three million passengers a 12 months (twice that of the previous airport), the addition of 500 new plane parking spots and the infrastructure to help the expansion in home in addition to finances flights, the airport is a welcome addition . Nation’s efforts to advertise tourism Price range flights to Hong Kong from EZNIS Airways have been resumed because the airport’s opening, and talks are underway to renew direct flights to the US. The just lately opened Chinggis Khan Museum gives an exquisite, recent have a look at Mongolia’s tumultuous historical past. With greater than 10,000 artifacts spanning greater than 2,000 years, the museum explores the historical past of the Mongols and the empire they constructed – and finally misplaced. The museum’s artifacts are introduced over eight flooring with six everlasting and two short-term exhibition halls. Guided excursions in English are provided free of charge each Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. When most individuals consider Mongolia, music festivals and conservation-focused artwork installations within the coronary heart of one of many world’s largest deserts are the final issues to return to thoughts. However that is all altering because of festivals like Playtime, Spirit of Gobi, Intro Digital Music Pageant and Kharkhoram 360 Visible Artwork & Music Expertise. Holding an eclectic mixture of rappers, bands and people singers from Mongolia, in addition to worldwide bands, DJs and musicians from all over the world, the nation could also be one of many world’s most underrated locations for pageant lovers. The annual Naadam occasion has all the time been a fantastic cause to go to Mongolia, however now that the pageant has celebrated its 100th anniversary, 2023 is pretty much as good a time as ever to attend. Whereas the origins of the pageant date again to the times of Genghis Khan, when he used horse racing, wrestling and archery competitions to maintain his warriors in form between battles, Naadam formally turned a nationwide vacation solely 100 years in the past. Immediately, the festivities held in Ulaanbaatar on the Nationwide Sports activities Stadium have just a few extra bells and whistles than within the days of the Nice Khan. A seat on the July 11 opening ceremony is all the time one of many hardest tickets to attain within the metropolis. Mounted archery is seeing a resurgence in Mongolia, because of folks like Altankhuyag Nergui, one of the achieved archers within the sport, and his archery academy, Namna. Right here, locals be taught the basics of Mongolian archery earlier than mounting a horse and taking their new abilities to a different degree. In the summertime months, college students and members of the Academy organized weekly reveals for audiences. The academy additionally gives day-long coaching classes for these keen on attempting out this intense sport. Talking of giving life to Mongolia’s most historic traditions, the revival of Mongol Bichig, or the standard Mongolian script written from prime to backside and skim from left to proper, has additionally seen a significant resurgence in recent times. Go to the Erdenesin Khure Mongolian Calligraphy Heart in Karakoram to find out about this vital cultural heritage from grasp calligrapher Tamir Samandbadr Purev. And, when you’re there, browse the yurts stuffed with Tamir’s works. Pair Husqvarna’s new Norden 901 Expedition bike with Nomadic Off-Street’s newly introduced Eagle Hunter Tour, and you’ve got the quickest journey in Mongolia. The tour takes six riders over 1,700 kilometers from Ulaanbaatar to Bayan-Ulagi, the place the riders finally meet their hosts, the well-known eagle hunters of Mongolia. The one factor dashing up this journey is the speed at which Nomadic Off-Street excursions promote. Skilled musician Joel Rousey has been main dogsledding excursions throughout the frozen Khuvsgul lake for 18 years. With fewer crowds, decrease resort charges and an opportunity to witness one of many world’s largest freshwater lakes fully frozen, winter in Mongolia has way more to see and expertise. Rousey’s firm, Wind of Mongolia, gives excursions of the lake, the place every particular person is assigned their very own sled and canines for the journey. Following Rousey’s lead, Mushroom will make a loop of the lake. Actions embody ice fishing, whereas vacationers keep in winter yurts and spend time with nomadic households in the course of the journey. Situated within the coronary heart of Selenge Province on the Yeru River, Yeru Lodge is the brainchild of Norwegian founder Erik Gulsrud Johnson, who first visited Mongolia in 2017. With a minimalist Scandinavian-style restaurant and eating space, absolutely furnished yurts for company to remain in, two petanque courts, kayaks, a driving vary, mountain bikes and a yoga space, the lodge is a vacation spot for nature lovers. Utterly off-grid, the lodge runs off photo voltaic panels, makes use of thermal heating, and all the property’s water comes from an on-property nicely and is recycled after use. Moreover, all glass, metallic and plastic used on the lodge can also be recycled, and meals waste is become compost, which is used to develop greens, berries and herbs . The lodge is ready to open in April 2023.