“lonely tuaregs wondering on the camels through the great Gobi desert”.

There are no tuaregs in Asia. Tuaregs live in northern Africa.

“Although in most of Ulan Bator you can still see the former communist regimes scars, the city is in full economic development.”

While I understand the use of the term “scars” I have to disagree that these are scars. Lack of maintenance after the fall of the Socialist regime has caused many of the buildings from that era to deteriorate. However, many have been renovated both inside and outside these days and sell like hotcakes. What disturbs me nowadays in Ulaanbaatar is the proliferance of modern but shoddily built apartment blocks and high rises. Many are worse than eye sores. Most wouldn’t pass the building codes of the US or European countries. Most are also far inferior to the houses from the Socialist era.

“One of the most beautiful is Amarbayasgalant Khiid.”

I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting this far, far away khiid, unfortunately. But right in the middle of Ulaanbaatar is the magnificent yet small Choijin Lama monastery museum. IMO a much better choice for the time strapped tourist than Erdene Zuu or Gandantegchinlen. Both are easily visited (Erdene Zuu is located some 200 hundred km west of the city. Gandan is a 10 minute walk from Sukhbaatar Square) but Choijin Lama monastery is more deserving of your precious time.

Manshir Khiid and Tuvkhun Khiid are also good choices. Manshir Khiid is only a hour’s drive south of the city. Tuvkhun Khiid is a 1-2 hours’ drive from Khujirt and involves walking up the mountain on which the temple is perched. Beware, this is quite a heavy climb of about an hour.

The story of theresurrection of the takhi, or Przwewalksi’s horse, is wonderful. See this article ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takhi ) on wikipedia for starters.

“The place can be seen in its natural beauty whit all the green forests and wild life because as it is considered sacred and the locals never kill an animal or destroy nature in this palce.”

While the area remains beautiful it’s no longer true that it’s unspoilt. Illegal logging also takes place in this region. And poaching for fur and valuable birds is on the rise all over Mongolia. Too few people benefit sufficiently from the growing economy.

Other areas of Mongolia are now suffering from mercury polluted rivers from illegal gold mining; water drunk by the herds of the people in the countryside.

“former capital that Ginghis Khan built at Karakorum in 1220″

When does a camp of tents become a capital city? That’s the core question here. Until Ogedei Khan the place Karakorum didn’t have walls. And though Chinggis Khaan has spent time there, he was mostly on the move waging yet another war. Where the Khaan went, is where the seat of government was, which was mostly not in Karakorum during the reign of Chinggis Khaan.

“Gurvansaikhan is the most popular place in the Gobi desert. From here tourists can go visit the local tribes that still live in isolation, see the hundreds of species of birds here, leopards and wild camels and they can go on hiking trails in the superb surrounding mountains where ancient dinosaur remains can still be found.”

I have to warn people that it is strictly forbidden to hunt for dinosaur remains without proper permits. And smuggling dinosaur remains carries a hefty penalty! Also, the dinosaur remains aren’t easy to find and the Gobi is a cruel mistress to those coming unprepared.

Stick to the trails to look for ibex, wild camel, leopards (though there are only a handful in the Gobi), antelope, gazelle, birds and the wonderful landscape. Go to Gurvansaikhan National Park in June or July (at the latest) to see the glacier in Yolin Am valley. Yes, a glacier in the desert!