heymongolia
Monasteries & temples

Ongi Monastery

The ruins of two large monasteries on the banks of the Ongi river, once home to over a thousand monks.

Founded in the 17th century and destroyed during the purges of 1937, Ongi's scattered ruins sit on both sides of the river. A small temple has been rebuilt and a little museum tells the site's story. It is a common stop between the Gobi and Kharkhorin.

  • Region: Gobi Desert (Övörkhangai)
  • Best time: May–September
  • Time needed: 1–2 hours
  • Entry: Small fee

Tours that visit Ongi Monastery

  • Beauty of Mongolia Tour and Local Naadam Festival (13 days · Several regions · Discover Mongolia · from $2,477)
    A 13-day July tour timed for the local Naadam in Kharkhorin, continuing south through Ongi and the South Gobi before flying back to Ulaanbaatar.
  • Mongolian Epic Overland Adventure (15 days · Several regions · Nomadic Expeditions · from $15,830)
    A 15-day overland 4WD journey from Lake Khuvsgul in the north through central Mongolia to the Gobi, with gers, Karakorum and a stay at a Gobi lodge.
  • Mongolian Gobi Camel Festival Tour (10 days · Gobi Desert · Stone Horse Mongolia · from $3,500)
    A 10-day winter road trip from Ulaanbaatar to the South Gobi timed for the camel festival, returning via Ongi and Kharkhorin, with hotel, ger and heated tent nights.
  • Mongolian Odyssey (9 days · Several regions · Nomadic Journeys · from $2,950)
    A 9-day jeep tour from Ulaanbaatar via Hustai, Khogno Khan and Karakorum to the South Gobi, staying in deluxe ger camps and flying back from Dalanzadgad.
  • South Gobi Traverse (8 days · Gobi Desert · Steppe Riders · from $2,900)
    An 8-day guided motorcycle loop from Ulaanbaatar into the South Gobi and back via Ongi, with a 4WD support vehicle, ger camps and a night of wild camping.
  • Mongolia Gobi & Karakoram Tour with Naadam Festival 11 days tour 2027 (11 days · Gobi Desert · Guru Travel Mongolia (Tour2Mongolia) · from $2,550)
    An 11-day July group tour by 4WD van from Ulaanbaatar through the Gobi and Karakorum, returning for the Naadam festival's opening, wrestling, archery and horse racing.
  • Classic Mongolia (14 days · Several regions · Nomad Essence Mongolia · from $3,500)
    A 14-day round trip from Ulaanbaatar covering the Gobi highlights, Ongi Monastery, Kharkhorin, the Tamir Valley and Hustai National Park, with ger camp nights.
  • Gobi Khangai Tour (11 days · Gobi Desert · Sky Ice Telmuun Tours (Mongol Tours) · from $1,980)
    An 11-day tour from Ulaanbaatar to Kharkhorin and through the Gobi's main sights, finishing at Terelj and the Chinggis Khaan Statue, with hotels and ger lodges.

Nearby places