Steppe by Steppe - Interactive Map

Altai Tavan Bogd is 636,161 hectares of pristine landscape along the border of the western part of Ulaan Khus, Tsengel, Sagsai and Altai soums of Bayan-Olgii aimag. It was placed under protection in 1996 by Parliament Resolution No. 43. The national park with its amazing beauty embodies the special characteristics of high mountains, icy crystal rivers, mountain valleys, steppe landscapes and ecosystems. Also, it is a habitat and last refuge for mammals like argali, ibex, maral and deer, and bird species like snowcock, eagle and lammergeyer. The national park includes very high peaks, with eternal snow and glaciers in the far west of Mongolia. The highest point is the peak of Khuiten Uul on the mountain of Altai Tavan Bogd, reaches 4374 meters above sea level.

Located along the northern border of Uvs Aimag ,Altan els Strictly Protected Area contains the world's northernmost sand dunes and embodies nearly all components of the ecosystem present in the Uvs Nuur Basin.It is home to many threatened plants such as brown grass, sandy sagebrush ,couch grass,wormwood,wild thyme and white willow. In the Oasis Bayan Nuur ,outside of the Strictly Protected Area , it is possible to hire camels and horses to ride in the dunes.

Amarbayasgalant, one of the most well known and largest monasteries of Mongolia, is located in the beautiful Iven Gol River valley on the foot of Burenkhan mountain in Baruunburen som of Selenge province. Visitors especially enjoy the magnificent art and architectural construction.
Since then the monastery of the Undur Geghen was a great source of Dharma teaching and accomplishment with over six thousand novices and ordained monks who followed the rules of Lord Buddha`s Vinaya, combining the Three Basket in full harmony with the Three Higher Trainings.
The beauty, decorations and construction of the monastery have made it one of the most magnificent architectural monuments not only in Mongolia, but in the whole Asia.
HISTORY
Foundation
The monastery was established by order of Manju emperor Enkh- Amgalan Khan, to cherish and give respect to the Undur Geghen Zanabazar, his skills, wisdom, intellect and accomplishments.
One hundred thousands langs (=3730 kg) of silver from the state fund were used to build a magnificently styled place for Buddha teaching and practice in honor of Zanabazar. After searching for a suitable place , the construction works of the monastery called “ Amarbayasgalant ‘’, a palace for God `s meditation , began in the year of red horse,1726, and was completed in the year of red dragon, 1736. Out of deep respect the monastery was then offered to the Undur Geghen.

Repression years

In 1937-38 a fearsome repression covered Amarbayasgalant Monastery and all the highly trained knowledgeable monks were executed. Also huge numbers of rare religious relics, books, sutras, thangkas and Buddhas which had been collected for 200 years, were destroyed completely. This is how the holy temple of Amarbayasgalant became mere ruins and it was abandoned for 50 shady years.

Resurrection

1990 was the time when the circumstances came for Amarbayasgalant to be restored. Communism had fallen and the people were eager to revive their religious tradition. Under Geghen's monastery Amarbayasgalant was reestablished and nowadays stands strong on it is remarkable construction, as on it's 300 year history.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES
Today about sixty novices and ordained monks, who followed precisely the rule of Vinaya, are in residence and practicing Dharma to create great benefit for all sentient beings. One of the Buddhist traditions, that is revived since the reopening, is the Tsam Dancing ceremony which was held in September 13-15, 2002, after being interrupted for 65 years.

The religious mask dancing “Tsam” was highly developed in the Buddhist monasteries of Mongolia in the middle of the 19th century, reflecting the ritual of Secret Tantra, but Tsam was last performed in 1937. In 2002, for the first time in 65 years the Tsam dance was performed again at Amarbayasgalant.

Baga Bogd Mountain is one of the three mountains (Bogd) of the Gobi Altai Mountain Range. The mountain has an elevation of 3.590 meters above sea level. There are many rare animals such as Argali, Siberian Ibex,etc.

It is a sacred rocky mountain, 1760 m above sea level and is famous for its spectacular rock formations and beautiful natural environment. There are wood elms, growing on rocks. A 20m long cave a brook with 60cm hole is also in rocks of the mountain.

The Flaming Cliffs site, really Bayanzag (Mongolian: ???????, rich in saxaul or Mongolian: ????? ???? red cliffs), is a region of the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, in which important fossil finds have been made. It was given this name by American paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews, who visited in the 1920s. The area is most famous for yielding the first discovery of dinosaur eggs. Other finds in the area include specimens of Velociraptor. The rock gives off a glowing orange colour, hence the nickname.

The remains of Bereeven Monastery are located in the depression of the Bereeven Mountains. The monastery was made of granite stone in 1777. The God of “Manzushir” with 3 meters high and 2 meters wide was crafted on the steep and reddish, granite stone is to the south east of the monastery. The main worship hall was built in 1813. It had 32 columns and 3 stairs, which called “Utai gumben” but it has broken beside the wall. Last a few years American builder rebuilt it. The monastery at one time was home to 8,000 lamas. It was the religious center of the eastern Khalkh Mongols. The buildings were mainly constructed of stone and wood because of its location near the forests. No detailed studies on Bereeven Monastery exist.

Winter Palace...Built between 1893 and 1903, it's where Mongolia's 8th Bogd Khan (Living Buddha) and last king, lived for 20 years. This is the only remaining palace out of four residences where Bogd Khaan resided. This palace now displays the collection of personal belongings of the last Khaan and his wife. The museum offers a wide variety of Buddhist arts.

This beautiful mountain is near the town of Tsetserleg that is the administrative center of Arkhangai Aimag.
Bulgan Uul attains an altitude of 1.980 meters above sea level.
The Natural Reserve covers 18 square kilometers and has enjoyed State protection since 1965, in order to safeguard the plants, animals and scenery of the Steppe Zone and Forest-Steppe Zone.
About 40% of Bulgan Uul is made up of steep cliffs and scattered rocks. On the mountain are rare species of plants and anilams including Red Deer, Musk and Wild Boar, On the mountain Black Grouse, Capecaillie and Ptarmigan are widespread. The best known pass is Tsagaan Davaa, lying on the western pan of the mountain.

The wall of Chinggis is located near Norovlin Soum and extends for about 270kms through the territory of Dornod Aimag and beyond the border of Mongolia.

The Chuluut river carved a deep canyon into the basalt rocks. This canyon is famous for its rich fishing grounds.

Elsen Tasarkhai is a crossing, which extends about 80kms and lies-between Mongol Els and Khugnu Tarma Els.

Although in no way the oldest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, Erdene Zuu (Mongolian: ?????? ???) was the most important for many centuries following the rise of the Chinggis Khaan Dynasty. Originally cronstructed in the 13th century by the Sakya School masters who became the official Mongol court tutors following the visits of Sakya Pandita and Chogyal Pakpa to the courts of Godan and Khublai Khaan, when Buddhism became the nation religion of the Mongol Empire, it stood as the crown jewel of the ancient city of Karakorum, that had been built by Chinggis Khaan as the capital of his newly established empire. It is part of the World Heritage Site entitled Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape.
The monastery, together with much of Karakorum, was destroyed after Mongol colonization of China came to an end, and the Ming armies pushed the Mongols back north. It was re-built in 1585 by Abtai Sain Khan, upon the introduction of Buddhism into Mongolia as the state religion. Stones from the ruins of Karakorum were used in construction. It is surrounded by a wall featuring 108 stupas, 108 being a sacred number in Buddhism, and the number of beads in a Buddhist rosary. The monastery was damaged by warfare in the 1680s, but was rebuilt in the 18th century and by 1872 had a full 62 temples inside.
In 1939 the Communist leader Khorloogiin Choibalsan had the monastery ruined, as part of a purge that obliterated hundreds of monasteries in Mongolia and killed over ten thousand monks. Three small temples and the external wall with the stupas remained; the temples became museums in 1947. They say that this part of the monastery was spared destruction on account of Joseph Stalin's pressure. One researcher claims that it was U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt who asked Stalin to save the monastery in 1944.
Erdene Zuu was allowed to exist as a museum only; the only functioning monastery in Mongolia was Gandantegchinlen Khiid Monastery in the capital, Ulaanbaatar. However, after the fall of Communism in Mongolia in 1990, the monastery was turned over to the lamas and Erdene Zuu again became a place of worship. Today Erdene Zuu remains an active Buddhist monastery as well as a museum that is open to tourists.
On a hill outside the monastery sits a stone phallus. The phallus is said to retain the sexual impulses of the monks and ensure their good behavior

The Gandantegchinlen Khiid Monastery, commonly known as Gandan Monastery, is a Tibetan-style monastery in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar that has been restored and revitalized since 1990. The Tibetan name translates to the "Great Place of Complete Joy." It currently has over 150 monks in residence. It features a 26.5-meter-high statue of Migjid Janraisig, a Buddhist bodhisattva also known as Avalokitesvara. It came under state protection in 1994.
The monastery was established in 1835 by the Fifth Jebtsundamba, then Mongolia's highest reincarnated lama. It became the principal center of Buddhist learning in Mongolia.
In the 1930s, the Communist government of Mongolia, under the leadership of Khorloogiin Choibalsan and under the influence of Joseph Stalin, destroyed all but a few monasteries and killed more than 10.000 lamas.
Gandantegchinlen Khiid monastery, having escaped this mass destruction, was closed in 1938, but then reopened in 1944 and allowed to continue as the only functioning Buddhist monastery, under a skeleton staff, as a token homage to traditional Mongolian culture and religion. With the end of communism in Mongolia in 1990, restrictions on worship were lifted. See Mongolian Buddhism for details.
The original statue, made of copper, was built after appeals to the Mongolian public; its intent was to restore the sight of Bogd Javzandamba (or the eighth Jebtsundamba, also known as Bogd Khan), who had claimed the title of Emperor of Mongolia. The building of the statue was carried out by Bogd Javzandamba's principal minister, Chin Wan Khanddorj. Russian troops dismantled the original statue in 1938. After the end of the Soviet era, the statue of Migjid Janraisig was rebuilt in 1996, from donations by the Mongolian people. It features 2,286 precious stones and gold leaf as adornments.

Eastern Mongolia consists of a horizonless expanse of steppe or grassland. On entering this landscape, the visitor is struck by the tremendous diversity of the scenery, flora and fauna. There are meandering rivers; large wetland areas punctuated by beautiful lakes; swathes of multicoloured wild flowers; huge herds of white-tailed gazelle; and nearly 330 bird species including the rare white-naped crane and birds of prey such as eagles and hawks. Nomadic herdsmen's camps dot the landscape, unchanged since the days of Chinggis Khan. The unique tapestry of this land is rendered complete by its many ancient monuments, ruins and relics which give the visitor a unique insight into the rich history of this fascinating country.
With 123,600 km2 of grassy steppe where Mongolia, China and the Russian Federation meet, Dornod Aimag is the largest in eastern Mongolia. The Kherlen and Ulz rivers flow east through the aimag. There are also wetlands and lake areas, the largest being Lake Buir in the far east.
The Dornod Tal, or plain, is one of the largest - and last - undisturbed steppe ecosystems in the world, and the core habitat of the Mongolian gazelle. Gazelle herds of up to 100,000 are seen on their regular migrations on the Dornod Tal, not far from Choibalsan. In addition, there is a diversity of flora and fauna, including colourful prairie wildflowers and animals such as the Eurasian otter, the Ussurian moose and rare birds including the white-naped crane and the great black water shrike.
One of the outstanding historical features of Dornod Aimag is the Chinggis Khan Wall, which dates back to the Mongol Empire and extends across several hundred kilometres. Also of particular historical significance is the huge mosaic Buddha created in the 13th century; it is located in Khalkhgol Sum (administrative unit). Dornod Aimag was the site of a series of decisive battles that thwarted a Japanese invasion in 1939.

The Gobi (Chinese: ??(??) G?bì (Sh?mò); Mongolian: ????, Govi or Gov', meaning, gravel-covered plain) is the largest desert region in Asia. It covers area in China and southern Mongolia. The desert basins of the Gobi are bounded by the Altai Mountains and the grasslands and steppes of Mongolia on the north, by the Tibetan Plateau to the southwest, and by the North China Plain to the southeast. The Gobi is made up of several distinct ecological and geographic regions based on variations in climate and topography. This desert is the fourth largest in the world.
The Gobi is most notable in history as part of the great Mongol Empire, and as the location of several important cities along the Silk Road.
The Gobi is a rain shadow desert formed by the Himalaya range blocking rain-carrying clouds from reaching the Gobi.
The Gobi measures over 1,500 km (932 mi) from southwest to northeast and 800 km (497 mi) from north to south. The desert is widest in the west, along the line joining the Baghrash Kol and the Lop Nor (87°-89° east). It occupies an arc of land 1,295,000 km² (500,002 sq mi)[1] in area, making it fourth largest in the world and Asia's largest. Much of the Gobi is not sandy but is covered with bare rock.
The Gobi has several different Chinese names, including ?? (sh?mò, actually a generic term for deserts in general) and ?? (hành?i, dry sea). In its broadest definition, the Gobi includes the long stretch of desert and semidesert country extending from the foot of the Pamirs, 77° east, to the Greater Khingan Mountains, 116°-118° east, on the border of Manchuria; and from the foothills of the Altay, Sayan, and Yablonoi mountain ranges on the north to the Kunlun Shan, Altun Shan, and Qilian shan ranges, which form the northern edges of the Tibetan Plateau, on the south.
A relatively large area on the east side of the Greater Khingan range, between the upper waters of the Songhua (Sungari) and the upper waters of the Liao-ho, is also reckoned to belong to the Gobi by conventional usage. On the other hand, geographers and ecologists prefer to regard the western area of the Gobi region (as defined above), the basin of the Tarim in Xinjiang and the desert basin of Lop Nor and Hami (Kumul) as forming a separate and independent desert, called the Taklamakan Desert.
The Nemegt Basin in the northwestern part of the Gobi Desert (in Mongolia) is famous for its dinosaur fossil treasures.
The Gobi desert is a cold desert, and it is not uncommon to see frost and occasionally snow on its dunes. Besides being quite far north, it is also roughly 900 meters (2,953 ft) above sea level, which further contributes to its low temperatures. An average of approximately 194 millimeters (7.6 in) of rain falls per year in the Gobi. Additional moisture reaches parts of the Gobi in winter as snow is blown by the wind from the Siberian Steppes. These winds cause the Gobi to reach extremes of temperature ranging from –40°C in Winter to +50°C in Summer. [2]
The climate of the Gobi is one of great extremes, combined with rapid changes of temperature, not only through the year but even within 24 hours (by as much as 32 °C or 58 °F).
Even in southern Mongolia the thermometer goes down as low as -32.8 °C (-27 °F), and in Ala-shan it rises as high as 37 °C (98.6 °F) in July.
Average winter minimals are a frigid -40 °C (-40 °F) while summertime temperatures are warm to hot, highs range up to 50 °C (112 °F). Most of the precipitation falls during the summer.
Although the southeast monsoons reach the southeast parts of the Gobi, the area throughout this region is generally characterized by extreme dryness, especially during the winter. Hence, the icy sandstorms and snowstorms of spring and early summer plus early January (winter)
The Gobi Desert is the source of many important fossil finds, including the first dinosaur eggs.
These deserts and the surrounding regions sustain many animals, including black-tailed gazelles, marbled polecats, bactrian camels and sandplovers, and are occasionally visited by snow leopards, brown bears, and wolves. The desert features a number of drought-adapted shrubs such as gray sparrow's saltwort, gray sagebrush, and low grasses such as needle grass and bridlegrass.

Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park is a national park in southern Mongolia. The park was established in 1993, and expanded to its current size in 2000. The park, at nearly 27,000 square kilometers, is the largest national park in Mongolia.
The park is named for the Gurvansaikhan Mountains, which translates to the Three Beauties. The name is derived from three subranges, the East, Middle and West Beauty. The range forms the eastern half of the park.
The park lies on the northern edge of the Gobi desert. The higher elevations contain areas of steppe. A number of rare plants and animals are found in the park, including the elusive snow leopard. Areas of sand dunes are found, most famously the Khongoryn Els - the Singing Sands. Another major tourist destination is Yolyn Am, a mountain valley that contains a large ice field through most of the year.

Gorkhi-Terelj National Park (Mongolian: ????? ??????) is one of the national parks of Mongolia. The Terelj tourist zone has a number of "tourist camps" (Mongolian: ??????? ????, juulchny baaz). It is connected with Ulan Bator by a paved road. The road comes to the Gorkhiin Davaa (Mongolian: ??????? ?????) pass. Most of the tourist camps and tourist attractions are before this pass. The road then ends in Terelj settlement, which features small shops and restaurants. Terelj settlement is located in the Terelj Gol river dale, approximately 66 km from Ulan Bator city center. The national park tourist zone is formally Ulan Bator Nalaikh düüreg (district) part, the rest (protected) zone begins to the North from Terelj Gol river and is located in Mongolia's Töv aimag.
A small southern portion of the park is developed for tourists, with restaurants, souvenir shops, horses and camels for rent, and tourist ger camps, many of them run by Juulchin, the state tourism company. However, most of the park is undeveloped and difficult to access. Attractions include Khagiin Khar Lake, a 20m deep glacial lake 80km upstream from the tourist camps, and Yestii Hot Water Springs, natural hot springs 18km further upstream. The park also has a Buddhist monastery that is open to visitors. Park wildlife includes brown bears and over 250 species of birds. The Tuul River flows through the park.
The park has many rock formations for rock climbers, and includes two famous formations named for things they resemble: Turtle Rock (Mongolian: Melkhii Khad) and the Old Man Reading a Book (Praying Lama Rock).

King of one of four Mongolian aymags in the 17th century, Dovdondorj was married to a princess of Manchurian King Enkh-Amgalan in 1967. When the princess died after long happy marriage, Dovdondorj king had special temple built at about 100km from current Ulaanbaatar and buried her under the temple. The temple is valuable architectural and cultural heritage of 17th century Mongolia.

It means the “big land stone”. It is in the Granite Belt of Mongolia. The highest peak is Yer Uul 1706 meters above sea level.

The Khangai mountains (mongolian ??????? ?????, Khangain nuruu) are a mountain range in central Mongolia, some 400 kilometres west of Ulaanbaatar.
The Khangai mountain range stretches from central Mongolia to the western border. It runs in parallel along the northern side of the Altai. In the eastern foothills, which are primarily covered by our tours, the mountainscape gradually morphs into the steppes of eastern mongolia. This geographical mixture creates a number of very interesting landscapes within manageable distance, and leads to a rich diversity in both flora and fauna.

Located on the open steppe on the right bank of the Orkhon River in central Mongolia, some five kilometers away from the river itself, Kharakhorum was founded in 1220 by Genghis Khan as a military center. The name means black stones or black walls. Settlement patterns were informal with traders and craftsmen establishing themselves around the area until it grew into a town. While the prevailing winds aided in keeping the mosquitoes down in the summer months, that same wind blew bitterly cold in the winter with no natural land features to afford any protection either from the elements or from invaders. The proximity to the mountains and their seasonal grazing was attractive to these nomads. In short, Genghis Khan had selected the perfect site for a nomad camp, but not necessarily as the site of a fixed capital with property and people to protect.

It was his Genghis Khan's son Ogodei who built the city into an organized urban area. The walls formed a rectangle, with its top and bottom oriented on a northwest/southeast axis, conspicuously different from the usual north/south axis. The outer city walls were made of earth, 1000 meters on the north side, 1500 on the west, and two kilometers on the east. The remains of a northeast corner tower have been discovered, leading to the theory that each corner had one, modelled on the Chinese cities of the era. Ogodei's palace was situated in the southwest corner, itself a walled enclosure. West of the palace area was a pond filled by a canal from the Orkhon river. This canal also fed water into the city itself.

Kharakhorum was roughly divided into four quarters. There was one for the traders, many of whom were Muslim, and markets, and another where the artisans imported from China congregated. The Mongol rulers were highly tolerant of religious differences and in Kharakhorum there were mosques, twelve "idol" temples, as William of Rubruck called them, though certainly at least one of these was Buddhist, and even one Christian church, all clustered together in one end of the city. The fourth quarter was a walled enclosure for the Khan, his family and his officials. A third of this palace city was taken up by government officials. Ogodei had gathered scribes who could translate from every language spoken throughout his empire.

Kharakhorum attracted numerous visitors from the west, all of them writing about their travels. Most notable is the Flemish Franciscan monk, William of Rubruck, who visited in 1253 and penned a detailed description of Kharakhorum and Mongolian life in his Journey to the East.

Ogodei died in 1241 and his widow, Toregene Khatun, ruled Kharakhorum as regent until the naming of Guyuk as Khan in 1246. He died in 1249 and was succeeded by Mongke Khan who was followed by Ariq Boke in 1259. None of these successions was without contest, as there were several vying branches of Genghis Khan's family. Kublai Khan overthrew Ariq Boke in 1264, going on to defeat the Song dynasty and complete his occupation of China by 1279. When Kublai moved his capital to Khanbaliq (modern Beijing), Kharakhorum was reduced to a backwater provincial city, and was finally destroyed by invading Chinese forces in 15th century. Mongolia's largest and grandest monastery, Erdene Zuu, was reputedly constructed from the ruins of this once great city in the 16th century, and is still active today. The ruins of the once great city are under the protection of UNESCO and the Mongolian government.

Khan Bukhiin Balgas consist as a ruin of city and fortress. The ruin was a settlement of a knight named Tsogt Khuntaij who is a descendant of Chinggis Khaan and lived there in 17th century.
Ancient city's remain Black Bull or Khadaasangiin ruins is located on the bank of Black Bull river, Khadaasan mountain on the eastside and 12 km far from the Dashchilen sum center, Bulgan aimag. In XIX century, ruin was found and research was made in 1934, 1948-1949 and ruins were dug a little in 1970. This city's ruin is connected to two other historical times and first is Kidan dynasty from X to XI century. In order to build the fence of the city, soil was hardened lumpy and erected in rectangle type. It was four main doors which are (0.5x0.5 km size) located in 4 sides. The remains of the ditches around the city were found in four sides. Two main streets which are aimed to west and east divide castles territory. There are dwelling house (some of them have special fences) were divided by 2 main streets which are aimed to west and east. While making research on city's ruin, researcher found potteries and containers which is depended on IX century, are the same with the Uigur souvenir and also the vases and containers' decoration was popular among the people who lived on the bank the Black river and East Sea. The main basis which connects this ruin with the Kidan dynasty, is a pottery that was found from remain the Black Bull's ruin and also it is the same with vase on which Kidan scripts was written and found from Chin mountain's ruin. Later in the beginning of the XVII century Stone building were built in the city. This one consisted of several building which had firmly erected ramparts and the way lay stone and fortification were similar to the XVII century's fortifications. And those were built by Tibetan style. As local people say, "Nomgoi prince" Tsogt Taij established this place. Also his descendant polite Norovjantsan who lived in the beginning of the XX century thought alike.

The outflow from Khar-Us nuur goes into a short river called Chono Kharaih which flows into another freshwater, lake Khar Nuur / Black lake/ home to some migratory pelicans.The southern end of Khar Nuur flows into Dorgon Nuur which is a large, salty pond.The east site of Dorgon Nuur is an area of bone-dry desert and extensivesand dunes

The National park located near the Ikh Nuuruud lowland covering a large area of desert steppe and semi-desert environment, plays a decisive role in climate formation and composes a special ecological environment. It’s a home and last refuge for rare and very wildlife species. Also, it is a distinctive and unique natural place composed of mountains with fresh water recourses of our country. Gobi desert, steppe valleys, and Mongolian Altai Mountains covered with snow. The National park was enrolled in the list of the Ramsar Convention in 1999 due to its suitable environment for water and marsh bird species.

The Khentii Mountains (Mongolian: ?????? ?????) are a mountain range in the Töv and Khentii Provinces in northern Mongolia. The chain overlaps the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area and includes Mongolia's "sacred mountain," Burkhan Khaldun, which is associated with the origin of Genghis Khan.
The range forms the watershed between the Arctic Ocean (via Lake Baikal) and the Pacific Ocean basins. Rivers originating in the range include the Onon, Kherlen, and Tuul.

It is big wild thyme with over 1000 meters high, 250 sq km, and 100-200m deep and 10km wide at the end of it. It is located on the north of the Gurvantes soum of Ummugobi. It has`t well studied yet. However new remains of ancient animals can be find the Bugiin Tsav is 50km far from KHermen tsav. Dinosaur skeleton of Mesolithic era was found from here has in the Nature Historical Museum.

Khognokhaan Natural Reserve covers 46,990 hectares of land and is situated in the territory of Bulgan Province. The taiga and steppe plants grow in this area and represent two or three different natural zones. This area was taken under state protection in 1997.

You can see this 1967 m peak to the north of the main road. At the southern foot of the mountain are the ruins of Uvgun Khiid, built in 1660 after the existing monastery was destroyed and the monks were massacred by the armies of Galdan Boshigt of Zungar, a rival of Zanabazar’s in 1640. The monastery reopened in 1992 and there are a couple of monks from Ulaanbaatar. The ruins of the earlier destroyed monastery are a lovely 45 minute walk along a well-defined path up the valley to the right. The surroundings belong to the 46,900 hectare Khogno Khan Natural Reserve and you might spot ibex, wolves and many varieties of hawk. There are lots of hiking possibilities around here.

The Khongoryn Els is some of the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in Mongolia. Also known as the Duut Mankhan (singing dunes), they are up to 800m high, 12km wide and about 100km long. The largest dunes are at the northwest corner of the range. You can climb to the top of the dunes with a lot of effort and then slide back down if you have a garbage bag handy. The views of the desert from the top are wonderful. The dunes are about 180km from Dalanzadgad.

Khorgo is rich in beautiful scenery of mountains, cliffs, rapid streams, rivers, lakes, extinct volcanoes, green forests and pastures, where the long- haired yaks and horses pasture. Natural zones around Khorgo: Taiga forest, Transition between Taiga forest and grassland, Mountain Forest Steppe.
Khorgo Mountain is an extinct volcano which lies eastern part of the Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan, astonishingly beautiful lake with absolutely pure and fresh water. Khorgo volcano is covered with basalt.

Khuisyn Naiman Nuur was created by volcanic eruptions centuries ago and it covers 11,500 hectares around the lake
located in Ovorkhangai Province to the southwest of the Khangai Mountain Range and its surrounding area. Khuisyn
Naiman Nuur with its exceptional configuration is surrounded by the beautiful nature of the middle part of the Khangai
Mountain Range. Also, it is a valuable monument for geological and water studies. These lakes with fresh water and
interconnected by ground water channels such as Shireet, Khaliut, Bugat, Khaya, Khuis, Onon, Doroo, Bayan-Uul are
called Khuisyn Naiman Nuur. It was placed under state protection in 1992.

There is another lake next to Khoton called Khurgan Lake. Those two lakes are connected by a stream and fed by rivers and streams originated in Altai Mountains. Khovd River originates from the Lake. This region has distinctly varied terrain from the wooded shores of the lake where our campsite is on the southern
side to classic open steppe on the northern side of the lakes. Mt Ikh Turgen (3,507m) rises dramatically.

The National park is in Altanbulag Sum in Tuv Province 90 kilometers from the Ulaanbaatar. The Mountain Range has an elevation of 1.842 meters above sea level. The Natural Reserve covers 900 square kilometers and has been enjoyed State Protection since 1993 to conserve biodiversity and facilitate the reintroduction of Mongolian wild horse Takhi. Also known as Pizewalski’s wild horse, it took its name from the scientist who first discovered this group of Asian horse at the end of 19th century. The Takhi is probably the most recognized and powerful symbol of Mongolia’s diverse and unique wildlife. In the yearly 1990s, with from international environmental groups, many Takhi were reintroduced into the Natural Reserve in the Khustain Nuruu National park.

Khuvsgul National park covers 8.381 square kilometers including the Khuvsgul Lake and its watershed, the Lake Basin, and parts of Zunii Saran Mountain. It has been protected since 1992. The Taiga forest has Euro Asian otter, beaver, moose, reindeer, argali, Siberian ibex, snow leopard, red deer, Siberian roe deer and many other wild animals. The Lake of Khuvsgul Nuur covers an area 2.612 square kilometers. It’s a large lake, extending 134 kilometers north south and 39 kilometers east west. Dominating the western shore of the lake is the Khoridol Saridag Mountain, which attains an attitude of 1.624 meters above sea level, just west of the National park boundary. 96 rivers and streams feed into the lake and the Egiin River exists from it, draining into the Orkhon River and so to the Lake Baikal in the Russian Federation. Khuvsgul Nuur is the deepest lake in central Asia, with maximum depth of 262 meters. Its water is crystal clear and fresh. The reflections of larch forests and majestic mountains in the lake water are amazing. Plenty of fish found in the lake such as Baikal omul, lenok, umber, Siberian grayling and river perch.

Eej Khad - Near the village of Khoshigiin Ar in the sum (district) of Sergelen, 15km South of Zuunmod, is the sacred lock known as Eej Khad, or Mother Rock. Mongolians often come here to seek solace and advice, and make offerings of vodka, milk and silk scarves called khatag. Pilgrims ask for three wishes to be granted, circle the rock three times and make three separate visits. The earth around the rock is sacred, so any rubbish that is dropped cannot be picked up; unfortunately, the area is now extremely dirty, with rubbish and broken bottles laying everywhere.
There are several other sites which are thought to generate good luck. One is Dog Rock, which Mongolians rub their body against to cure ailments. The other, a few kilometres North of Mother Rock, is called Rich Rock and locals touch their wallet to it to ensure financial security.

The Nemegt Formation is a geological formation dating from the Late Cretaceous sedimentary from the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. It overlies and sometimes forms folds with the Barun Goyot Formation. It consists of river channel sediments and contains fossils of fish, turtles, crocodilians, birds and a diverse fauna of dinosaurs. The climate associated with it was wetter than when preceding formations were deposited; there seems to have existed at least some degree of forest cover.
The absolute age of the Nemegt Formation is unknown but it is thought to be Maastrichtian or maybe late Campanian in age, very roughly some 76-65 million years old. The presence of Saurolophus, a taxon also known from the Horseshoe Canyon Formation of Alberta, may indicate an Early Maastrichtian age, around 70 million years old

Nogoontsav is a beautiful place displaying layers of sediments, colored red, yellow and green in cliffs 20 meters high and extending for 8 to 10 kilometers. Skeletons and fossils of giant dinosaurs of Cretaceous age have been found here.

Ogii Nuur is lake, 1.337 meters above sea level in Ugii Nuur soum in Arkhangai province. It covers 25 square kilometers, and is rich in Perch and pike. The catch possible from the lake of Ugii Nuur is 50 tons a year. Swan Goose, White Spoonbill and Dalmatian Pelican have been recorded.

It is a ruin of big monastery of Bari Yonzon Khamba on the banks of the Ongiin River. East part of this monastery has many buildings on the south slope of the Rocky Mountain lake Balsa country some stupas haven’t broken. This monastery had about thousand lamas.

A spectacular region of volcanic craters and rushing streams, the area also offers long lava flows south of the Orkhon River. The highlight of the valley is the 24 metre high Orkhon waterfall, located 80 kilometres west of Khujirt. The fans, sometimes known as Ulaan Tsutgalan, are situated on one of the bumpiest tracks in a country of many bumpy roads. If you can manage the journey, this is an enjoyable side trip in good weather. The route is through volcanic landscape, and hot springs dot the surrounding hillsides. The waterfall is most impressive in late summer after the heavy rains. In early summer it may be completely dry.
The black volcanic rocks that carpet the landscape exploded from the earth 20 to 30 million years ago, when the nearby Togoo crater was still active. The eruption is likely to have also created the waterfall, as the fault line shifted and cracked the valley floor. About eight kilometres before the falls is Uurtiin Torkhoi, a good place to stop and explore the river canyon. A smaller waterfall (Bag Khukhree) is also in the vicinity.
Close to Bag Khukhree is a funerary site in the Valley of the Camel's Stone (Temeenii Chuluunii Am), a site that dates between the seventh and third century BC. It is located near the Tsagaan Gol River and includes several tombs and deer stele lying on the ground. The site's name comes from one of t he standing stones on, which is an engraving of a group of small figures in red, preceded by a man leading a camel.
About 10 kilometres south-cast of the Orkhon waterfall, the Mogoit hot springs bubble up from the ground at temperatures between 45°C and 72°C. The site is in a pretty wooded valley, under mountains that top 3000 metres. Visitors will find tree basic baths inside small wooden cabins at the hot spring site. Ask the locals for the exact spots to choose according to the ailment to be treated. Unless your driver is confident of the right track, you will need to ask local advice to find the springs.
To the south of these springs, is a high rocky massif called the White Rock of the Khangai, at the top of which grow three Siberian pines, the tallest of the forest. Other nearby curiosities included two huge caves at Aguit and Shar Kad, both located in Bogd sum.

Rocky part of Binder Mountain that located in the territory of Batshireet Somon is called Binder Eruu or Rashaan Rock. Many finds such as tools that belong to Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic Stone Ages, deer stones that belong to Early Bronze Age and graves of Mongolians who were living during the period of Huns and Kidan Empires. There are many paintings of animals, humans and carvings of tribe stamps that had been used for centuries, Arabia-Persian, Chinese, Tibetan, Mongolian scripts on the Rashaan rock. After an excavation, it was determined that there are 4 stratums in the soil structure.
There is a monument with deer description on four sides and more one without descriptions 950 m from the rock. And their size is 195:30 cm and there are 12 small and big tumuluses around the monuments.

The oasis of Sum Khukh Burd is situated on the territory of the Adaatsag soum in Dundgobi province. There is a monastery, built by Mongolians on the small island of lake ‘Burd’. It is said that Prince Danzanravjaa put his famous play ‘Saran Khukhuu’ in this monastery. Swan, Duck and Partridge are common on the lake. South of lake ‘Burd’ is the spring Uudiin Bulag, famous for its water’s curative properties.

Taikhar Chuluu is a mysterious steep sided pinnacle of granite, 25 meter high, almost impossible to climb – rising abruptly from the flat grassland of the gravel spreads of the Tamir river. There is no agreement amongst geologists on the origin of this puzzling phenomenon, the pinnacle is worshipped as a deity, and remains an enigma.

Taliin agui is a cave 200 meters long, with a volume of 100,000 cubic meters, 14 kilometers northwest of the mountain og Shiliin Bogd in Dariganga suom. The cave is basalt, and considered to be one of the biggest caves in Mongolia. It is peppered with stalagmites and the basalt walls are beautiful.

Tolbo nuur is a lake of 185 square kilometers whose surface is at 2.080 meters above sea level. The lake water is crystal clear and fresh, over 10 kilometers wide, 18 kilometers long and 10 meters deep.

This complex consists of about 10.000 paintings, is located sequence in 15 km on the south slope of the mountain and rock painting of Baga Oigor River. This monument was registered as a World heritage from UNESCO in 1996 and has been protected since 1998.

The scarp of Tsagaan Suvraga is in Ulziit soum. It is interesting to see the sheer slope, facing east; from a distance it seems to be the ruins of the ancient city. The cliff is 30 meters high and 100 meters wide. Over thousands of years the wind has created this amazing structure.

This area, comprised of 1109.6 square kilometers of Tsambagarav Mountain, was established in 2000 by Parliament resolution ?29. It is located between Erdeneburen soum of Khovd province, and Altantsogts and Bayannuur soums of Bayan-Ulgii aimag. The area is of significance for the study of glaciers and is also designated to protect snow leopards.

Tsenkher Agui is a cave 25 kilometers west of the center of Mankhan soum, on the western slope of a mountain on the West Bank of the Tsenkher River. The cave is about 20 meters high and was inhabited 40.000-12.000 years ago in the Paleolithic Era. The road is not easy, but the cave paintings are amazing. The paint pigment is composed of red and brown earths. Soot from smoke also covers the walls and roof of the cave. Amongst the paintings of Mountain Goats, Buffalo and birds are what appear to be Ostrich and Elephant, both long extinct in Mongolia. It has been enjoyed the state protection since 1971.

Hot spa with water issuing at a scalding +85.5*c with the stench of hydrogen sulphide.

This mountain adorns the south side of Ulaanbaatar. The Bogd Khan mountain is one of Mongolia’s worshipped mountains. It has enjoyed State protection since 1778, one of the Khentii Mountain Range. Its peak is Tsetsee Gun, 2,257 meters above sea level, one of the four holy peaks of the capital. The peak is covered mostly with Siberian Larch (Larix sibirica). The Bogd Khan Mountain has over 220 species of herbs; Red Deer, Musk Deer, Siberian Deer, Siberian Ibex and Wild Boar, also Common Buzzard, Woodpecker and Stork.

It is a steep with around 30 meters high to the west of Bulgan soum. Dinosaur bone appears on the wall of it and rare remain of perried egg in skeleton of young dinosaur kept was found.

The excellent location of Tovkhon Khiid was selected by Ondor Gegeen Zanabazar on his 19th birthday. It was built in 1653 and he named it 'Land of happy Solitude'.
The hermitage of Tovkhon is 68 kilometres from Erdene Zuu, in the wooded Shiveet ¬Ulaan Mountains of Bat-Olzii sum.
Not far from the summit of the mountain, on a first platform, are several temple halls, one of which is made from wood. To the west of these, having passed some large rocks, one can see a footprint attributed to the first Bogd Gegeen, and a small cave (uran darkhnii agui) where Zanabazar meditated. Climbing further up, one ar¬rives at a second platform from which a spring runs out. Another cave is located here-the Ehhiin Khevlii (Mother's belly), which is just big enough to stand in, although you have to crawl to enter it. This is a veritable regresses ad uterum to which the pilgrims appeal in the hope of having their faults washed away in the next rebirth. From there one can climb higher and reach the summit of the moun¬tain where there is an ovoo and rock called the 'place of naadam'. .
Ondor Gegeen Zanabazar was the first leader of the Mongol Lamaist church and led an intense intellectual, religious, and artistic life. His biography includes work as a bronze caster, goldsmith, translator, compiler, founder of monasteries, and creator of a new alphabet for the phonetic transcription of Mongolian, Tibetan and Sanskrit. Much of this work was done at Tovkhon Khiid
Travellers should note that women are not allowed to climb to the summit of the mountain and the monks make sure that this rule is followed. In 2001, a Tg68.5 million restoration project on the monastery was completed, bringing the temples back to their original glory.

‘Ulaan Suvarga’, which has a similar structure, is on the territory of Ulziit soum at Sair Us. Ulaan Suvarga also has numerous ancient rock paintings, and the eroded landscape is rich in fossil seashells.

A spectacular region of volcanic craters and rushing streams, the area also offers long lava flows south of the Orkhon River. The highlight of the valley is the 24 metre high Orkhon waterfall, located 80 kilometres west of Khujirt. The fans, sometimes known as Ulaan Tsutgalan, are situated on one of the bumpiest tracks in a country of many bumpy roads. If you can manage the journey, this is an enjoyable side trip in good weather. The route is through volcanic landscape, and hot springs dot the surrounding hillsides. The waterfall is most impressive in late summer after the heavy rains. In early summer it may be completely dry.
The black volcanic rocks that carpet the landscape exploded from the earth 20 to 30 million years ago, when the nearby Togoo crater was still active. The eruption is likely to have also created the waterfall, as the fault line shifted and cracked the valley floor.

Munkhkhairkhan mountain is part of the main chain of the Mongol Altai Mountain Range, extending 100 kilometers from northwest to southeast. Munkhkhairkhan mountain has eternal snow and glaciers covering an area of 200 square kilometers. The highest peak is Tavan Khumst that attains 4,205 meters above sea level.

This extinct volcano lies near the road, and stretches from Bulgan town to Murun, for 80 kilometers northwest of Bulgan town through the territory of Khutag – Undur soum. The reserve occupies a territory of 8 square kilometers, with an elevation of 1.686 meters above sea level. It has been protected since 1965, and today enjoys the status of “Natural Monument”. On the top of the extinct volcano is a crater, 500 to 600 meters wide and 50 meters deep, filled with a small “crater lake” about 20 meters in diameter. There are green woods in the center of the Crater Lake. It is a really fascinating mountain. Red Deer, Argali, Wild Boar, Siberian Ibex, Ruddy Shelduck and Duck are found in this area.

A deer –decorated stone of the Bronze Age (3,000-1,000 years ago) is on the Ider River and over 30 deer –decorated stones and carved rocks in Khuvsgul province.

Large numbers of gulls, and migratory birds live at Uvs Nuur in summer. This immense lake (80 km wide and 80 km long) is located 28 kilometres northeast of Ulaangom. Although, at a relatively low altitude, it’s one or the coldest places in the whole country in winter. The basin' of Uvs Nuur is characterised by remarkable ecological diversity-desert, marsh, dunes, semi-desert, steppe, taiga, tundra, and glaciers-in a relatively compact zone. For this reason, it is now among the ten world sites chosen for an international research programme on biospheres.
Since 1993, the basin has acquired four strictly protected zones. The zones include Uvs Nuur, Mount Tsagaan Shuvuut, Mount Turgen and Altan Els. All the mountain valleys in the basin are rich' ill funerary sites. More than 2,000 belong to various periods (Scythian, Xiongnu, Turkish, Mongol ).