We know that time in nature restores, soothes, heals, and connects. But light pollution – including that caused by tourist accommodation – harms wildlife and our ecosystems. That’s why International Dark Sky Week focuses on the positive impact of reducing lighting and turning off unnecessary lights. Learn more here.

Although, if you find yourself in the vicinity of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital where half of the nation’s population resides, the  night sky might be somewhat obscured by the influence of artificial light and other forms of pollution.

Air pollution is one of the most pressing issues facing Ulaanbaatar. It is one of the coldest capital cities in the world and is reliant, almost entirely, on coal for its heating (homes in the ger areas that surround the city to the north, east, and west (and where 60% of the city’s population live) are heated with stoves and apartments are generally heated by district heating from coal-powered combined heat and power stations) leading to dangerous levels of particulate matter (PM) during the winter months. The Green Development Strategic Action Plan For Ulaanbaatar 2020 report highlights that ‘very cold weather and low winds create an inversion which traps the pollution emitted from low heights within a shallow layer of air near the ground’ and that ‘high levels of CO2 emissions serve to exacerbate the inversion.’ One organisation working to end Ulaanbaatar’s air pollution crisis is The Breathe Mongolia Clean Air Coalition, an international team of professionals and everyday citizens. You can find out more about their work here – https://breathemongolia.org/.

Another challenge that stargazers might encounter in Mongolia is the unpredictable weather. The country is notorious for experiencing all four seasons in a single day, a phenomenon that seasoned visitors will likely nod in agreement to. Picture this: you’re eagerly anticipating a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event, only to have your plans thwarted by a sudden windstorm, dense mist, or driving rain. It’s enough to put a literal “dampener” on your stargazing aspirations. However, it’s worth noting that despite the cold, winter often blesses Mongolia with the clearest skies of any season, offering a silver lining to those undeterred by the elements.

But, provided the moon is not at its fullest and the weather favours your venture, prepare to be astounded. Wrapped in warm layers, brace yourself for an unforgettable experience because when the sky clears, Mongolia stands nearly unparalleled as a stargazing haven. Keep an eye out for celestial landmarks such as Altan Gadaz (the North Star), Doloon Burkhan (the Seven Gods, also known as the Plough), Migid or Mushin (the Pleiades), Tengerin Zaadas (the Milky Way), and the captivating Uuriin Tsolmon (the morning star).

Of course, if you do go star gazing in Mongolia with a Mongolian be prepared for some spitting. What?   In Mongolia, a shooting star is seen as an omen of death (yes, really). In shamanism, each star represents a person. We each have an energy line and a shooting star is that person’s energy line dying out. If a Mongolian sees a shooting star they will basically spit and say ‘it’s not mine.’ It doesn’t make for the most romantic of evenings.

Still, wrap up warm and brave the elements for a spectacular nighttime show. Star gazing in Mongolia really does give you a healthy sense of wonder. Dark Sky Mongolia is a company local to Mongolia who host star gazing experiences. You can find out more on their Linktree page here. Alternatively, we can arrange a visit to the Khurel Togoot Astronomical Observatory (trying saying that after a cup of Mongolian yak milk vodka). Situated on Bogd Mountain approximately 15 km southeast of Ulaanbaatar, this astronomical haven—affectionately dubbed the “bronze cauldron”—offers uninterrupted views of the night sky. Founded in 1957 during the inaugural International Geophysical Year by Mongolian astronomer S. Ninjbadgar, the observatory stands as a testament to international collaboration, with scientists from Russia and Germany contributing to its establishment.

Also, all of the experiences we offer give our guests independence and flexibility for their own exploration including time for star gazing. So if you’re interested in star gazing in Mongolia then why not have a look at the range of trips we offer?