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18/10/2026

🇲🇳✈️ Mongolia’s Mesmerising Sunset Takeoff to Seoul!| | TheArcTurn

On May 10, 2026, it was time to say goodbye to Mongolia. 🇲🇳❤️

After taking the airport shuttle from Sukhbaatar Square to Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN), I arrived at around 2:15 PM for my 5:30 PM MIAT Mongolian Airlines flight OM307 to Seoul, South Korea.

With time to spare, I enjoyed coffee, completed immigration and other airport formalities, explored the souvenir shops, and watched aircraft moving around this bright, compact airport. As an aviation enthusiast, watching planes is one of my favourite ways to spend time before a flight! ✈️

Then came the moment I was waiting for: takeoff.

As our aircraft lifted off towards Seoul, the Mongolian landscape unfolded beneath us. With the setting sun behind the aircraft, the evening light transformed the scenery into something mesmerising.

Mongolia had already shown me vast open grasslands, wild horses, mountains and the extraordinary feeling of space. Out there, away from the buildings and city lights, the sun has room to dominate the horizon. You can truly appreciate the vastness of the landscape.

Watching that wilderness disappear beneath the aircraft felt like the perfect farewell to my Mongolian adventure.

Next stop: Seoul, South Korea! 🇰🇷

This is Part 1 of my three-part journey from Ulaanbaatar to Seoul. Stay tuned for what I saw from the sky next!

📍 Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN), Mongolia
✈️ MIAT Mongolian Airlines OM307
📅 May 10, 2026
🌍 Country #14 — Mongolia

#Монгол #Улаанбаатар #Аялал

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17/10/2026

P2 🇲🇳 ⑧ Observations as an Outsider in Mongolia! | | TheArcTurn

After spending around a week exploring Mongolia in May 2026, here are four more observations that surprised me as an outsider! 🇲🇳

🇮🇳 **1. Mumbai’s Parle products in Mongolia!**
As a Mumbaikar, it felt unexpectedly familiar to spot Parle biscuits, chocolates and other products in CU convenience stores and grocery shops across Ulaanbaatar.

🏪 **2. CU convenience stores everywhere!**
The South Korean convenience-store chain CU became a handy part of my daily routine. I had a couple near my hotel, and I even tried their coffee. The stores reminded me of Japan's 7-Eleven, Lawson and FamilyMart: convenient places to grab a drink or a quick bite while exploring a city.

👀 **3. Being a visibly different-looking solo traveller.**
Throughout my trip, I encountered relatively few other Black or South Asian travellers. I noticed some curious looks, including people in cars turning to look at me in traffic.
📺 **4. Chinese television sparked my curiosity about China.**
In my Mongolian hotel, I came across Chinese news channels, including CGTN and CCTV. Watching their coverage gave me a different perspective on China and made me curious to see the country for myself rather than relying on outside narratives alone.

That curiosity turned into action: I decided China would be my next destination, pursued the visa, and went on to explore it on my next trip! 🇨🇳✈

🇲🇳 Part 2 of my observations as an outsider in Mongolia!

📍 Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
📅 May 2026
🌍 Country #14 — Mongolia

#Монгол #Улаанбаатар #Аялал

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16/10/2026

🇲🇳⑧ Observations as an Outsider in Mongolia! Part 1 | | TheArcTurn

Here are four things that caught my attention as an outsider!

🚗 **1. The Toyota Prius is everywhere!**
One of the first things I noticed was the sheer number of Toyota Prius cars on the streets. Hybrid vehicles seemed incredibly popular, and it felt like every other car could be a Prius!

🚦 **2. The driving felt surprisingly aggressive.**
During my six to seven days in Mongolia, I witnessed several minor fender-benders. I also noticed frequent honking, tailgating and drivers pressuring the vehicles ahead of them. These were my personal observations during a short visit, not a judgement of every Mongolian driver.

🎤 **3. K-pop's influence on younger generations.**
My tour guide, Baga, shared his view that South Korean pop culture is influencing Mongolian youth, including fashion, hairstyles and makeup. We discussed the contrast between traditional images of Mongolia's warrior past and today's globalised youth culture. It was fascinating to see how generations can have very different ideas about masculinity and style.

👩 **4. I noticed many more women than men in some street scenes.**
Baga suggested that overseas employment, including work in South Korea and China, contributes to some men being away from home. That was his explanation for what I noticed, though my brief visit wasn't enough to establish the overall gender balance or its causes.

🇲🇳 Part 1 of my observations as an outsider in Mongolia. Part 2 coming soon!

📍 Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
📅 May 2026
🌍 Country #14 — Mongolia

#Монгол #Улаанбаатар #МонголынСоёл #Аялал

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15/10/2026

P2🇲🇳✈️Plane Watching & Souvenir Hunting@Mongolia’s Airport!| |TheArcTurn

On May 9, 2026, after exploring Ulaanbaatar, I took the airport shuttle from Sukhbaatar Square to Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN). 🇲🇳🚌

I arrived a little early, so my airport adventure began at Tom N Toms Coffee, where I enjoyed a latte and sat for around 20–25 minutes before exploring the terminal.

UBN may be smaller than many international airports, but I loved its bright, welcoming interiors. And with a clear sky outside, there was something even better to watch: MIAT Mongolian Airlines aircraft moving around the airport, arriving, departing and parking just beyond the windows. ✈️

Plane-watching is one of my favourite ways to spend time during a layover or while waiting for a flight. As TheArcTurn — a freely flying world bird — I never get tired of watching these giant metal birds prepare to fly!

Next came another airport tradition of mine: exploring the souvenir shops. 🎁

I love seeing what a country chooses to sell to travellers. Souvenirs aren't just gifts; they can reveal what a country celebrates, what its artisans create, and which symbols, traditions and stories it wants visitors to take home.

Then it was time to leave Mongolia, boarding my journey via Seoul before returning to Tokyo.

From the vast Mongolian steppe to the airport departure gate, every journey leaves me with new stories, new memories and another reason to keep exploring our beautiful world.

Баяртай, Mongolia! Until we meet again. 🇲🇳❤️

📍 Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN), Mongolia
📅 May 9, 2026
🌍 Country #14 — Mongolia

#Монгол #Улаанбаатар #Аялал

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14/10/2026

🇲🇳✈️ Plane Watching & Souvenir Hunting ’s Airport!| |TheArcTurn

On May 9, 2026, after exploring Ulaanbaatar, I took the airport shuttle from Sukhbaatar Square to Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN). 🇲🇳🚌

I arrived a little early, so my airport adventure began at Tom N Toms Coffee, where I enjoyed a latte and sat for around 20–25 minutes before exploring the terminal.

UBN may be smaller than many international airports, but I loved its bright, welcoming interiors. And with a clear sky outside, there was something even better to watch: MIAT Mongolian Airlines aircraft moving around the airport, arriving, departing and parking just beyond the windows. ✈️

Plane-watching is one of my favourite ways to spend time during a layover or while waiting for a flight. As TheArcTurn — a freely flying world bird — I never get tired of watching these giant metal birds prepare to fly!

Next came another airport tradition of mine: exploring the souvenir shops. 🎁

I love seeing what a country chooses to sell to travellers. Souvenirs aren't just gifts; they can reveal what a country celebrates, what its artisans create, and which symbols, traditions and stories it wants visitors to take home.

Then it was time to leave Mongolia, boarding my journey via Seoul before returning to Tokyo.

From the vast Mongolian steppe to the airport departure gate, every journey leaves me with new stories, new memories and another reason to keep exploring our beautiful world.

Баяртай, Mongolia! Until we meet again. 🇲🇳❤️

📍 Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN), Mongolia
📅 May 9, 2026
🌍 Country #14 — Mongolia

#Монгол #Улаанбаатар #Аялал

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https://youtube.com/shorts/TURvM6Z_lIk

11/10/2026

🇲🇳🚁 Drone Soccer & Drone Races at Mongolia’s Dronecon 2026!| |TheArcTurn

A giant tent at Sukhbaatar Square in Ulaanbaatar was buzzing with the sound of drones! 🇲🇳🚁

On May 8, 2026, during my visit to Mongolia, I stumbled upon **Dronecon 2026** — an event organised under Mongolia’s government, involving the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Communications and the Office of the President of Mongolia.

Inside, young students were competing in exciting drone challenges, including drone soccer ⚽🚁 and drone obstacle races 🏁. The constant humming of propellers, fast manoeuvres and enthusiastic competitors made this an unexpected highlight of my morning.

It was fascinating to see young Mongolians exploring drone technology, piloting skills and innovation in action. I had come to Sukhbaatar Square to explore the city, but instead discovered a glimpse of Mongolia’s digital future!

From the country’s rich nomadic history to young people experimenting with modern technology, Mongolia kept surprising me.

📍 Sukhbaatar Square, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
📅 May 8, 2026
🌍 Country #14 — Mongolia | Part 2

Have you ever watched a drone soccer match? Would you try flying a racing drone? Tell me in the comments!

#Монгол #Улаанбаатар #Дрон #Технологи #Инноваци #Аялал

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10/10/2026

🇲🇳🎓 I Accidentally Found Mongolia’s Education Expo! | | TheArcTurn

I went to Sukhbaatar Square in Ulaanbaatar on May 9, 2026 expecting another morning exploring Mongolia’s capital. Instead, I accidentally walked into the Ulaanbaatar Education Expo 2026! 🇲🇳🎓

Running from May 8–10, the expo brought together more than 100 educational institutions, including Mongolian universities, colleges, vocational institutions and international education opportunities.

Students could explore degree programs, admission requirements, scholarships, career guidance and student-development loans — all in one place.

🌏 What surprised me was the international outlook. This wasn't just about studying in Mongolia. Students could also discover opportunities connected to universities and colleges abroad.

And then came the fun part: universities had essentially turned Sukhbaatar Square into a giant open-air education fair. 🎪

I wasn't looking for a university. I was simply walking through Ulaanbaatar — and suddenly I was window-shopping for degrees!

Right next to the expo, I also saw another event focused on green energy and sustainability. I couldn't verify that it was officially connected to the Education Expo, but the combination was fascinating: education on one side, sustainability on the other.

On one of my final mornings in Mongolia, Sukhbaatar Square unexpectedly gave me a glimpse of the country's next generation — what they might study, where they might go, and what kind of future Mongolia is preparing for.

📍 Sukhbaatar Square, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
📅 May 9, 2026
🌍 Country #14 — Mongolia

#Монгол #Улаанбаатар #Боловсрол #Аялал

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04/10/2026

🇲🇳🛴 Ulaanbaatar’s Electric Scooter Madness! | | TheArcTurn

One thing I noticed almost immediately while walking around Ulaanbaatar was the sheer number of electric two-wheelers everywhere! 🛴🇲🇳

But there was another thing I couldn't ignore.

Helmets seemed surprisingly uncommon.

I regularly saw people riding without helmets, sometimes with two people on a small scooter. I also noticed riders ignoring traffic signals, directions and indicators surprisingly often.

And the traffic itself could feel chaotic.

During my 6–7 days in Mongolia, I personally witnessed several road accidents involving two-wheelers and cars. There was plenty of honking, impatient driving and some pretty aggressive manoeuvring on Ulaanbaatar's busy roads.

For a visitor, it could sometimes feel like everyone was playing their own version of the traffic rules! 😅

The scooters themselves, though, are a genuinely clever idea.

Ulaanbaatar is spread out, traffic can be heavy, and having a small electric vehicle available for short journeys can be incredibly convenient.

I actually tried to rent one myself — but the apps required local verification, so I couldn't get started.

So I became a pedestrian observer instead. 😂

And honestly, walking around Ulaanbaatar gave me a front-row seat to this whole new urban phenomenon.

This was simply my observation from spending a week in Ulaanbaatar — not a judgement on every rider or driver.

Travel is also about noticing the everyday things that never make it into the tourist brochures.

And Ulaanbaatar's electric scooter culture was definitely one of them. 🇲🇳🛴

📍 Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
📅 May 2026
🌍 Country #14 — Mongolia

#Монгол #Улаанбаатар #ЦахилгаанСкутер #Аялал

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