Mongolia's Gobi Desert

The Gobi Desert spans 1.3 million square kilometers across Mongolia and China, representing one of the world's last great wildernesses. This cold desert ecosystem supports remarkable biodiversity adapted to extreme conditions, from scorching summers to frigid winters. Mongolian nomads have sustainably grazed livestock here for millennia, maintaining traditional practices in harmony with nature. The Gobi supports the last wild Bactrian camels (fewer than 1,000 remain), Gobi bears (world's only desert bears), snow leopards, and wild ass. Dinosaur fossils make it a paleontological treasure trove. Desert vegetation supports traditional herding of camels, horses, sheep, and goats. The landscape varies from sand dunes to rocky outcrops and mountains. Conservation combines protected areas with community-based management respecting nomadic traditions. The Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area covers 53,000 square kilometers. Climate change and mining pressure threaten ecosystems. Sustainable tourism through ger (yurt) camps provides income while maintaining low environmental impact. The Gobi exemplifies conservation in extreme environments.

Water Features

Oases, seasonal streams

Ecosystem

This destination features a desert ecosystem.