Map of the Gobi Desert – Countries, Regions & Asia Guide

This map of the Gobi Desert provides a detailed overview of one of Asia’s major desert regions, including Mongolia, northern China, desert landscapes, transport routes and surrounding geography.

The Gobi Desert is known for vast arid plains, rocky desert landscapes, sand dunes, dinosaur fossil sites, remote settlements and its location across Mongolia and China.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Where Is the Gobi Desert Located?

The Gobi Desert is located across southern Mongolia and northern China, forming one of the largest desert regions in Asia.

• North: Central and southern Mongolia
• South: Northern China and Inner Mongolia regions
• East: Eastern Mongolia and north-eastern China direction
• West: Central Asian desert and mountain regions

Main Gobi Desert Regions

• Southern Mongolia — major desert and steppe region
• Inner Mongolia — northern China desert and grassland region
• Gobi Gurvansaikhan region — mountains, dunes and protected areas
• Khongoryn Els — famous sand dune area in Mongolia
• Flaming Cliffs region — known for dinosaur fossils
• Eastern Gobi — remote desert and steppe landscapes
• Alashan region — desert region in northern China
• Desert steppe zones — transition areas between grassland and desert

How the Gobi Desert Is Laid Out

• Wide desert basin regions — spread across Mongolia and China
• Rocky desert plains — more common than continuous sand dunes
• Mountain and dune areas — scattered across key tourism regions
• Remote settlements and tracks — connect desert communities
• Borderland geography — links Mongolia, China and wider Central Asia

Key Geographic Features

• Rocky desert plains — major feature of the Gobi landscape
• Sand dune regions — including famous dune fields in Mongolia
• Desert mountains — shape parts of the southern Gobi
• Fossil beds — important scientific and tourism sites
• Arid steppe landscapes — transition between desert and grassland

Gobi Desert Transport and Travel Overview

• Desert tracks and regional roads — connect remote settlements and tourism areas
• Ulaanbaatar access routes — common starting point for Mongolia travel
• Regional airports — provide access to some desert towns
• Cross-border routes — connect Mongolia and northern China
• Guided tourism routes — commonly used for remote desert travel

Why People Search for a Map of the Gobi Desert

• To locate the Gobi Desert in Asia
• To understand where it sits across Mongolia and China
• To explore desert regions, dunes and fossil areas
• To plan travel or educational research
• To study Asian deserts and regional geography

Gobi Desert Map Resources

• OpenStreetMap – Gobi Desert
• Google Maps – Gobi Desert
• Wikimedia Commons – Gobi Desert Maps

Related Maps & Location Guides

• Map of China
• Map of Asia
• Map of the Sahara Desert
• Map of the Himalayas
• Map of the World

Gobi Desert Map FAQs

• Where is the Gobi Desert located?
  The Gobi Desert is located across southern Mongolia and northern China.
• What is the Gobi Desert known for?
  The Gobi is known for rocky desert landscapes, dunes, fossils, remote travel and arid steppe regions.
• Is the Gobi Desert only in Mongolia?
  No, the Gobi Desert spans both Mongolia and northern China.
• Is the Gobi Desert sandy?
  Parts of the Gobi contain sand dunes, but much of it is rocky desert, gravel plain and arid steppe.

This page is for general informational purposes only and is not affiliated with any government authority, tourism authority, scientific institution or mapping provider.

Disclaimer: Maps are provided for reference only and may not be accurate, complete, current, to scale or suitable for navigation, desert travel, emergency use or official purposes. Desert conditions, borders, roads, access rules, weather and geographic information may vary between sources and may change over time. Always verify official local information before travel or outdoor activities.