Where is the White Stupa? (+Tips for Visiting)
Where is the White Stupa, Mongolia’s famous limestone cliffs in the Gobi Desert? Follow these travel tips and don’t miss this must-see attraction.
Table of Contents
When I first moved to Mongolia, I had the same question as everyone else – where is the White Stupa and how do I visit it? And what the heck even is it?
I also didn’t understand what White Stupa versus Tsagaan Suvarga meant and why I heard both names? Now I know that Tsagaan Suvarga means white cliffs in Mongolian language, and White Stupa is simply its English name.
For years I put off visiting it. Always opting to head to greener, more forested areas of the country. But what a mistake that was! Because once I visited the White Stupa, it was like a light bulb going off. Suddenly I understood why it’s on almost every Gobi Desert itinerary.
The first time I visited these famous limestone cliffs I was self-driving a car I had rented in Ulaanbaatar.
Myself and a friend decided to take two days to drive down and back from the city to see what all the hype was about. It was one of the first road trips I had ever taken here and one of the reasons I started to fall in love with driving in Mongolia.
At this point neither of us had much experience driving here and navigating Mongolia’s confusing dirt roads. We took wrong turns, got stuck in sand, and ended up having to ask a family for directions because we got so lost. In true Mongolia fashion though, it ended up being one of the most memorable trips I’ve ever taken here.
Once we finally reached the White Stupa on that road trip adventure, it was one of those moments I’ll never forget. The satisfaction of having made it there, the beauty of the cliffs, and the peace of having it all to ourselves. It was the best feeling in the world.
By putting together this travel guide I hope to give a better understanding of where the White Stupa is, how to get there, and where to stay when you go.
Are you planning your trip last minute?
🚕 Book a Cheap Airport Transfer (great, budget-friendly option when landing in Mongolia)
🛌 Best Places to Stay:
Hostel One (favorite overall hostel with central location and clean facilities)
Urgoo Hotel (local boutique hotel with clean rooms and great location)
H9 Hotel Nine (boutique hotel located next to Sukhbaatar Square)
👉 Top Things to Do in Ulaanbaatar:
Cooking Class in a Local Home (unique way to spend a day and meet a local family!)
Mongolian Calligraphy Class: 1-Hour Lesson (try your hand at traditional Mongolian script)
Ulaanbaatar City Tour (best way to get to know the city with a local guide)
🐴 Most Popular Day Trips from Ulaanbaatar:
Brief Introduction to Mongol Horse (the most Mongolian experience you can have!)
Day Trip to Terelj National Park and the Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue (the perfect day trip for active travelers)
Bogd Khan National Park Hiking Day Trip (a beautiful hike with views of the city in the world’s first ever national park)
Where is the White Stupa?
The White Stupa is approximately 460 kilometers south of Ulaanbaatar.
The drive takes approximately 8 hours with the final 30 kilometers being on heavily corrugated roads. Once you turn off the paved road, it will take around one hour to travel these last 30 kilometers.
To get to the White Stupa, follow the Zuunmod-Mandalgovi Highway to the town of Mandalgovi.
Mandalgovi is a great place to have lunch, buy groceries and supplies, refuel, and get coffee.
Before you enter the town of Mandalgovi, you’ll need to pay a 1,000 tugrik toll. This toll can be paid by cash or credit card.
🚩 Google Maps Pin (280 kms from Ulaanbaatar): Mandalgovi
🥟 Local Lunch: Nomin Zoog
☕ Coffee Shop: Uudam Eco House
🍷 Great Store for Snacks, Alcohol (including Beer and Wine!), and Food: 1st Floor of Burd Hotel
⛽ Gas Station: Petrovis
🧳 Tired of Driving? Check into this Hotel: Burd Hotel
🎻 Want to do some Sightseeing? Mongolia’s Largest Horse Head Fiddle is Here: Mandalgovi Park
🌳 Looking for a Homestay and Unique Experience? Check out: Gobi Oasis Tree Planting & Homestay
From Mandalgovi, continue driving south on the highway. Road conditions vary from smooth to riddled with potholes. Drive safely and carefully and always avoid driving at night.
There is a sign to turn off for the White Stupa. But, if you miss it, save this Google Maps pin.
🚩 Save this White Stupa turn-off pin on Google Maps.
Hotels by the White Stupa
If you’re planning a trip to the White Stupa without a guide, these are the two hotels I recommend.
Splurge: Gobi Caravanserai
As the only hotel near the White Stupa, Gobi Caravanserai is my preferred place to stay.
The rooms aren’t expensive, but they also aren’t cheap ($100+).
Rooms don’t have private bathrooms, which is the biggest downfall of this property. Despite that, the shared showers and bathroom facilities are clean and nice to use.
There’s a restaurant and bar with every food option imaginable from Mongolian to western food.
When I visited last, cell phone service wasn’t reliable here, but the hotel may have invested in a Starlink since then. Many properties around Mongolia have.
If you’re planning to stay here, make your reservation in advance. Their rooms do sell out.
On a Budget: Tsagaan Suvarga Tourist Camp
Budget travelers will prefer Tsagaan Suvarga Tourist Camp, which is still a great option.
This is a more traditional tourist camp, where rooms are gers (yurts) and there is one central restaurant, shared bathrooms, and showers with hot water.
To make a reservation here, reach out to them on Facebook or simply show up.
Book a Tour to the White Stupa
These popular Gobi Desert tours include stopping at the White Stupa.
🚗 Best Private Option (5🌟): Mongolian Gobi 6-day Private 4WD Tour ($1,790)
🐫Top Rated (5🌟): 8-day Gobi and Grassland Mongolia Tour ($1,850)
🌌Our Best of the Gobi Group Trip (5🌟): 12-day Gobi Desert Group Tour: Dinosaurs, Dunes, & Saddles ($3,500)
Tips for Visiting + What to Wear at the White Stupa
There’s no surprise here, the Gobi Desert can be hot! Especially in June, July, and August after the sun comes up.
Be sure to always wear sunscreen, pack plenty of chapstick and lotion, and don’t forget to drink plenty of water and electrolytes, if you have them. Mongolia is notoriously dry, especially in this area. It’s also at an altitude, something that many people don’t realize.
Long pants are always recommended in Mongolia because of the dust, along with plants like stinging nettle. Sneakers that will allow your feet to breathe are better for traveling here, you don’t need heavy-duty hiking boots.
Evenings in the desert cool down as soon as the sun sets. Always pack a light jacket, you’ll be surprised how useful it will be, even in July! Packing a rain jacket is also a great idea.
The best time to visit the White Stupa are May and June when the weather is warm, but not unbearably hot. September is also a great month to visit. Ger camps are open during those three months and visiting then will also help you avoid crowds and busloads of other tourists.
Author: Breanna Wilson
Hi! Sain uu! I’m Breanna, an American travel writer and adventurer living in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia for more than 5 years. I’ve written for and been featured in Condé Nast Traveler, CNN, Forbes, and the New York Times, among others. Read more of my Mongolia travel articles here.
Join my Private Travel Group on Facebook
Proudly Based in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
© 2024 Meanwhile in Mongolia