CENTRAL PART OF MONGOLIA

1. Ulaanbaatar Capital City 2. Khara Khorum - Capital of Mongolian Empire 3. Khangain Nuruu National Park 4. Terelj National Park 5. Chinggis Khan's Statue on Tsonjin Boldog Hill 6. 13 Century Cultural Park 7. Khorgo Volcano -Terkh Lake National Park 8. Khustain Nuruu - Wild Horses National Park 9. Bogd Khan Mt - Manzushir Monastery Ruins 10. Arkhangai Province - Tsenher Hot Spring 11. Otgontenger Sacred Mountain Park

KHANGAIN NURUU NATIONAL PARK

HOW TO GET: 1 day and 1 night driving on paved road.

Khangain Nuruu National Park is comprised of the central part of the Khangai Mountain Range, covering app.900 thousand hectares of land including high mountains, lakes, forests and meadows in Arkhangai and Ovorkhangai Provinces. The park remaining in its earliest form is complemented by an array of amazing landscapes and its role as a partition of the world’s watershed. In addition, the park is of a special significance in the water and climate change in Mongolia, as well as in maintaining ecological balance. The park was taken under protection in 1996.

Valley of Orkhon River and Tsagaan River

It rises in the Khangai Mountains and flows northwards for 1,124 km (698 miles) before joining Selenge river, which flows north into Baikal lake. The Orkhon is longest river up to 220 kms, Major tributaries of the Orkhon river are Tsagaan riverm Tuul river and Tamir river.

There are two sets of ancient ruins along the river valley: Khara balgas, the ancient capital of Uigur Kingdom and Khara Khorum, the ancient capital of the Mongolian great Empire. Russian Dr.Pyotro Kuzmich Kozlov excavated several Hunnic Imperial tombs in the area of the river valley.

Fish in the Orkhon river include pike carp, perch, taimen and catfish. UNESCO lists Orkhon valley as a World Heritage Site.

Tovkhon Monastery

The excellent location of Tovkhon temple is short distance of 70 kms from Khara Khorum. If you visit to Khara Khorum, it is recommended to explore the Tovkhon temple in impressive beautiful mountainous area. Zanabazar, who was the first leader of Buddhism, located the place. It was built in 1653 and he called it Land of Happy Solitude. There are several temples, a small cave, where he could do meditation, another cave called Mother belly. If someone entered and get out from this cave, there is hope of having their faults washed away in the next rebirth. Hiking to rocky hills and looking at the stunning beauty of wild nature in surrounding areas are the excellent fun, which makes you refreshed and enthusiastic.

 

Ulaan Tsutgalan Waterfall

Generally, Orkhon river and its water basin valley is considered the cradle land of steppe nomads. Volcanic activity and earthquakes, the black volcanic rocks, which carpet the landscapes, exploded 20 million years ago, formed Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall. It is ten meters wide and twenty meters high. The waterfall is a popular destination for tourists.

Still today Togoo crater is active and it located neighboring to Orkhon waterfall. The Orkhon river is pristine drink water river and also it is teemed with a lot species fish such as taimen, lenok and so on. These days yak breeder nomads are living in near the waterfall.

 

Temeen Chuluu Burials Mounds

Orkhon river basin area is rich with ancient graves and burial mounds dated to 5000BC-1000AD. One of the big complex of burail mounds if Temeen chuluu complex, which is located very close to the Uurt river cliff. There are more than 31 mounds with square shapes and with 2 tall monuments with carving of amasing ornaments depicting as deer horns. On the top of this monument the sun and the moon are carved, but there is a thick line on the bottom of this monument. Still present time scholars don't have an all-agreed one conclusion on at what reason the monument was made by ancient nomads.

Naiman Nuur - Eight Lakes Area

For nature lovers and adventure travelers the valley of Eight Lakes can be the main destination. The nature in this valley is not disturbed by men and some of horse rider travelers and hiking tour groups are traveling in this valley. There is no possibility to go and to reach there in a car. Only horse riders and walking man can travel in this valley. On the way, you will cross through Siberian pine trees forest and walk along Huis, Haliun, Doroo and in total of 8 lakes, have a rest near by clear water small springs and picturesque small meadows with wild flowers and as well as ancient volcano lava rocks.