About
Khovd is a city in western Mongolia, the largest settlement in the region and the administrative heart of Khovd Province. It sits in Asia, far from the capital, Ulaanbaatar, and is also known by the names Ховд and Hovd.
What sets Khovd apart is its character as a multicultural centre. The city is home to a number of ethnic groups, including Kazakhs, Mongols and other minorities, and this mix shows in daily life, in the languages heard on the streets and in the variety of people a visitor meets. For many travellers, that blend is the main reason to come.
What a visit offers
- Cultural mix: a chance to see how several communities live side by side in one western Mongolian city.
- Regional base: Khovd serves as the largest urban centre in the west, so it works well as a starting point for exploring the province.
- Contrast with the capital: visitors who have spent time in Ulaanbaatar will notice a different pace and a different regional identity here.
Planning your trip
Khovd is a destination for those who want to see beyond the main tourist routes. Because it lies a long way from the capital, it is worth allowing extra time for travel and checking transport options well in advance. Once there, a slow walk through the city is a simple way to take in its atmosphere and its people, and the surrounding province is the natural next step for anyone interested in the wider landscape of western Mongolia.
