In a side valley to the south of Terelj, take the signed turn-off from the main road to Aryapala Initiation & Meditation Centre, and you'll pass this fabulous rock formation that, from a certain angle, genuinely looks like a turtle.
Turtle Rock
Mongolia
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
23.61 MILES
Mongolia’s wonderful National Museum sweeps visitors from the Neolithic era right to the present day. It’s UB's only genuine blockbuster sight, offering…
23.44 MILES
This temple museum smack in the middle of downtown Ulaanbaatar was the home of Luvsan Haidav Choijin Lama (‘Choijin’ is an honorary title given to some…
Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan
24 MILES
Built between 1893 and 1903, this palace is where Mongolia’s eighth Living Buddha, and last king, Jebtzun Damba Hutagt VIII (often called the Bogd Khan),…
8.4 MILES
Few tourists come to Mongolia without visiting its most iconic landmark, a 40m-high glistening silver Chinggis Khaan statue. Constructed in 2008 from…
23.47 MILES
Built by the Russians to commemorate 'unknown soldiers and heroes' from various wars, the Zaisan Memorial features stirring socialist realism imagery with…
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23.88 MILES
This fine-arts museum has a superb collection of paintings, carvings and sculptures, including many by the revered sculptor and artist Zanabazar. It also…
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International Intellectual Museum
22.38 MILES
This museum contains an intriguing collection of puzzles and games made by local and international artists. One puzzle requires 56,831 movements to…
24.57 MILES
Around the start of the 19th century more than 100 süm (temples) and khiid (monasteries) served a population of about 50,000 in Urga (the former name of…
Nearby Mongolia attractions
1. Aryapala Initiation & Meditation Centre
1.87 MILES
Head north 3km from Turtle Rock and you'll reach this Buddhist site, built on a spectacular rocky hillside. Set aside 45 minutes here to walk the circuit…
3.64 MILES
One of several impressive rock formations in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, this evocative natural landmark resembles a monk in prayer. Look out for it on…
3. Gorkhi-Terelj National Park
4.58 MILES
Located 55km northeast of Ulaanbaatar, this popular national park is characterised by picturesque alpine scenery. It offers great opportunities for hiking…
4.97 MILES
Right by the side of the road in the south of the national park is this rocky outcrop that you can scramble up to squeeze within its cavernous space. It's…
5.72 MILES
Terelj Village is about 27km from the park entrance, at the end of a paved road. It has a nice location near the river, and is a good spot to arrange a…
6. Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex
8.4 MILES
Few tourists come to Mongolia without visiting its most iconic landmark, a 40m-high glistening silver Chinggis Khaan statue. Constructed in 2008 from…
9.28 MILES
Located 1km east of the Chinggis Khaan monument stands the statue of his mother, Hoelun, who gazes back towards her son. A restaurant and hotel complex…
16.82 MILES
Located atop of Bondkhan Uul (1620m) is this Soviet-era observatory that offers fantastic views over the city. While those into astrology are welcome to…