“VIVANT” Filming Locations in Mongolia: Discover the Real World Behind Balk
One of the most memorable aspects of TBS’s hit Japanese drama “VIVANT” is its breathtaking scenery — vast deserts, dramatic rocky landscapes, endless horizons, and distinctive city streets. But did you know that many of the spectacular places seen in “VIVANT” are actually located in Mongolia?
The Republic of Balka (バルカ共和国), where much of the story takes place, is a fictional country created for the drama. However, to bring the world of Balka to life, the production team filmed extensively across Mongolia, from the streets of Ulaanbaatar to the vast landscapes of the Gobi Desert.
Mongolia’s unique combination of modern cityscapes, open steppe, rocky formations, and dramatic desert scenery became an essential part of the visual world of “VIVANT.”
The Fictional Republic of Balka — The Real Mongolia
In the drama, Balka is portrayed as a vast country somewhere in Central Asia.
Many scenes representing Kudan (クーダン), the capital of Balka, were filmed in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia.
Outside the city, Mongolia’s enormous open spaces, rocky terrain, and Gobi landscapes were used to create the remote and mysterious countryside of Balka.
Together, these real Mongolian locations helped transform a fictional country into a remarkably convincing world on screen.
The Vast Desert of Balka → The Gobi Desert & Khongor Sand Dunes
Some of the most unforgettable scenes in “VIVANT” take place among the vast desert landscapes of Balka.
The extraordinary scenery of Mongolia’s South Gobi played an important role in creating the atmosphere associated with this part of the drama.
One of the most spectacular destinations in the region is Khongor Sand Dunes, one of Mongolia’s great natural wonders.
Stretching for many kilometers across the Gobi landscape, these enormous dunes create an almost endless sea of sand. Known locally as Khongoryn Els, the dunes are famous for their impressive scale and the extraordinary contrast between golden sand, open steppe, and distant mountains.
Following the success of “VIVANT,” special Mongolia–Gobi itineraries for Japanese fans included journeys into South Gobi filming areas as well as visits to Khongor Sand Dunes, where travelers could experience camel riding among the dunes.
For visitors wishing to experience the atmosphere of the landscapes seen in “VIVANT,” a journey through the South Gobi is one of the most memorable ways to discover Mongolia.
Explore Mongolia’s Gobi Desert
Go beyond the screen and experience Mongolia’s legendary desert landscapes for yourself.
Ride a camel among towering sand dunes, stay in a traditional Mongolian ger, discover nomadic culture, and travel beneath some of the widest skies in Asia.
Recommended Sky Tours Mongolia Trips
Gobi Desert – 4 Nights / 5 Days
A compact journey into Mongolia’s spectacular Gobi landscapes, ideal for travelers who want to experience the desert within a shorter itinerary.
Gobi Desert & Terelj – 5 Nights / 6 Days
Combine the dramatic landscapes of the Gobi with the green valleys, mountains, and nomadic culture of Terelj National Park.
Gobi Desert & Terelj – 6 Nights / 7 Days
Combine the dramatic landscapes of the Gobi with the green valleys, mountains, and nomadic culture of Terelj National Park.
The Rocky Landscapes of Balka → Baga Gazriin Chuluu
Another remarkable Mongolian landscape associated with the rocky wilderness seen in Balka is Baga Gazriin Chuluu in Dundgovi Province.
Rising dramatically from the surrounding steppe, its granite rock formations create a striking contrast with Mongolia’s enormous open landscapes.
The combination of rugged rocks, empty horizons, and vast grasslands captures the remote atmosphere associated with the fictional Republic of Balka.
Baga Gazriin Chuluu is also an impressive destination for travelers heading south from Ulaanbaatar toward the Gobi, making it a natural stop on a wider journey through central and southern Mongolia.
Kudan Central Square → Sukhbaatar Square
The square shown as the center of Kudan, the capital of Balka, is actually Sukhbaatar Square in central Ulaanbaatar.
With Mongolia’s Government Palace and the monument of Chinggis Khaan forming its impressive backdrop, Sukhbaatar Square is one of the capital’s most recognizable landmarks.
In the world of “VIVANT,” however, this familiar Mongolian square was transformed into the heart of the fictional capital of Balka.
For fans of the drama, walking across Sukhbaatar Square offers the unusual experience of standing in a location they first discovered as Kudan on screen.
Balka International Bank → Mongolian National Drama Theatre
One of the most recognizable locations from the early part of the series is the Balka International Bank (バルカ国際銀行).
The distinctive red building used as the bank is actually the Mongolian National Drama Theatre in Ulaanbaatar.
Normally one of Mongolia’s important cultural institutions, the theatre was transformed into a major financial institution in the fictional Republic of Balka.
Today, it remains one of the easiest “VIVANT” filming locations for visitors to recognize while exploring Ulaanbaatar.
GFL Office Building → Central Tower
The building associated with GFL in the drama can also be found in central Ulaanbaatar.
It is Central Tower, located beside Sukhbaatar Square.
Because Sukhbaatar Square, the Mongolian National Drama Theatre, and Central Tower are all relatively close to one another, fans can discover several locations associated with “VIVANT” during a single walk through central Ulaanbaatar.
This also makes the capital a convenient starting point for travelers interested in discovering the real-world settings behind the fictional city of Kudan.
Kudan East Hotel → Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace
One of the locations used for the Kudan East Hotel in the drama is the Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace in Ulaanbaatar.
Scenes connected with the main character Yusuke Nogi were filmed here, making the hotel another recognizable location for fans visiting Mongolia.
The hotel has also been associated with special Mongolia travel programs created for “VIVANT” fans following the success of the series.
Japanese Embassy in Balka → Buudai Hotel, Darkhan
The building used as the Japanese Embassy in the Republic of Balka is located outside Ulaanbaatar.
These scenes were filmed at Buudai Hotel in Darkhan, one of Mongolia’s major cities.
Following the success of the drama, the location attracted attention from Japanese “VIVANT” fans and became another interesting destination associated with the series’ extensive filming in Mongolia.
Mosque in Balka → Nalaih Mosque
Nalaih, located outside central Ulaanbaatar, was another important filming area for “VIVANT.”
A mosque in Nalaih was used for scenes involving a mosque in the fictional Republic of Balka.
The setting contributed to the multicultural Central Asian atmosphere created for Balka and demonstrates how the production used a wide variety of real locations around Mongolia to build the drama’s fictional world.
Beppan and Nokor Confrontation → Nalaih
Another memorable “VIVANT” location can be found in the Nalaih area.
One of the dramatic scenes in Episode 7, where members of the secret Beppan unit confront Nokor’s group, was filmed among the distinctive former mining landscapes of Nalaih.
This location became particularly interesting to fans of the series and was later included in an official “VIVANT” filming-location tour organized for Japanese travelers.
Nalaih is relatively close to Ulaanbaatar, making it one of the more accessible locations connected with the drama outside the city center.
Airport Scenes → Mongolia’s International Airports
Airports play an important role throughout “VIVANT,” as characters travel between countries and move in and out of Balka.
Airport-related scenes were also filmed in Mongolia, with locations associated with Chinggis Khaan International Airport and the former Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport appearing in filming-location information related to the series.
For international travelers today, Chinggis Khaan International Airport is also where the real journey into Mongolia begins.
Major “VIVANT” Locations in Mongolia at a Glance
Republic of Balka → Mongolia
Kudan → Ulaanbaatar
Kudan Central Square → Sukhbaatar Square
Balka International Bank → Mongolian National Drama Theatre
GFL Office Building → Central Tower
Kudan East Hotel → Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace
Japanese Embassy in Balka → Buudai Hotel, Darkhan
Rocky landscapes associated with Balka → Baga Gazriin Chuluu, Dundgovi
Balka’s desert landscapes → South Gobi, Mongolia
Major destination on the special VIVANT Gobi itineraries → Khongor Sand Dunes
Mosque scenes → Nalaih Mosque
Episode 7 Beppan–Nokor confrontation → Former mining area of Nalaih
Airport-related scenes → Chinggis Khaan International Airport and Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport
What About Tsagaan Suvarga?
Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa) is one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Mongolia’s Gobi region.
Its enormous cliffs, layered rock formations, and unusual colors create a landscape that can look almost otherworldly, making it a popular stop on many Gobi journeys.
However, currently available official information does not clearly confirm Tsagaan Suvarga as the filming location of a specific “VIVANT” scene.
For this reason, it is more accurate to introduce Tsagaan Suvarga as an extraordinary destination travelers can visit while exploring Mongolia and the Gobi rather than describing it as a confirmed “VIVANT” filming location.
For travelers heading south, Tsagaan Suvarga can easily be combined with other spectacular Gobi destinations as part of a longer Mongolia journey.
“VIVANT” Inspired Special Tours to Mongolia
Following the broadcast of “VIVANT” in Japan, interest in Mongolia and the drama’s filming locations grew significantly among Japanese travelers.
Special “VIVANT Mongolia Location Tours” were subsequently organized, allowing fans to visit real places connected with the series.
These itineraries included recognizable locations around Ulaanbaatar, such as Sukhbaatar Square, the Mongolian National Drama Theatre, and Nalaih, as well as special journeys into the Gobi.
The popularity of these tours demonstrates how “VIVANT” introduced Mongolia’s extraordinary landscapes, cities, and culture to a new generation of travelers.
Travel Through the Real World Behind Balka
You will not find the Republic of Balka on a real map.
Balka is fictional.
But many of the places and landscapes that created the world of Balka can be experienced in Mongolia.
Walk across Sukhbaatar Square and imagine yourself in central Kudan. See the Mongolian National Drama Theatre and recognize the building that became Balka International Bank.
Then leave Ulaanbaatar behind and travel south through Mongolia’s rocky landscapes and into the vast Gobi, where enormous horizons, spectacular desert scenery, and towering sand dunes recall the world seen throughout “VIVANT.”
And along the way, Mongolia offers much more than filming locations — traditional ger stays, camel riding, nomadic families, ancient history, extraordinary night skies, and some of the most dramatic landscapes in Asia.
Turn the World of “VIVANT” Into Your Mongolia Journey
For fans of “VIVANT,” Mongolia is much more than a filming destination.
It is a chance to walk through the city that became Kudan, travel across landscapes that helped bring Balka to life, and then continue beyond the screen to discover the real Mongolia.
Gobi Desert – 4 Nights / 5 Days
Experience Mongolia’s dramatic desert landscapes on a compact Gobi adventure, including the unique nature, nomadic culture, and unforgettable scenery of southern Mongolia.
Gobi Desert & Terelj – 5 Nights / 6 Days
Combine two very different sides of Mongolia in one journey — the vast landscapes of the Gobi Desert and the green valleys and mountains of Terelj National Park.
Gobi Desert & Terelj – 6 Nights / 7 Days
Combine two very different sides of Mongolia in one journey — the vast landscapes of the Gobi Desert and the green valleys and mountains of Terelj National Park.
Create Your Own Private Mongolia Journey
Would you like to combine Mongolia’s famous attractions with places connected to “VIVANT”?
Sky Tours Mongolia can help create a private itinerary based on your travel dates, interests, preferred destinations, and travel style.
Discover the spectacular nature, nomadic culture, history, and real-world landscapes behind “VIVANT” with Sky Tours Mongolia.
