Tsagaan Sar (Mongolian Lunar New Year) – Late January to February

Tsagaan Sar is Mongolia’s most important traditional holiday, marking the arrival of the Lunar New Year. It is a deeply family-centered celebration focused on respect, gratitude, and new beginnings. Families prepare for weeks by cleaning their homes, sewing new clothes (called deel), and cooking large quantities of traditional food.

During Tsagaan Sar, younger people visit elders to exchange respectful greetings known as “zolgokh,” offering blessings for health and long life. Guests are welcomed with milk tea (suutei tsai), dairy products, sweets, and stacks of traditional pastries (ul boov), symbolizing prosperity.

A central part of the celebration is food. Families prepare boiled sheep tail, steamed dumplings (buuz), and various dairy products, reflecting Mongolia’s nomadic heritage. Hospitality is essential—homes remain open to relatives and neighbors throughout the holiday.

Tsagaan Sar is also a time to honor ancestors and reflect on the past year while welcoming the future with hope and positivity. For travelers,…