Hustai National Park and Resort
Hustai National Park has unique landscape that reatures mountain steppe and steppe, sand dunes and river wetlands. In the park, there are about 46 species of mammals including red deer, wild boar, wolf, Eurasian hite-tailed gazelle, Eurasian lynx, red and steppe fox, and about 161 species of birds. On the territory of HNP and its buffer zone there are many historical monuments such as; monument of Ungut-famous with its large number of men like figures, which belongs 6-8century AD and many other sepultures, rectangular tombs and the ruin of old monastery.
The National Park is also famous of its flocks of wild horse, Prjevalky Horse. The site is the only place in the world accommodating those wild horses on wild. Locally named as the Takhi, wid horse was discovered at the end of the 19th century, but in a course of a half century was totally extinguished. Thanks to the assistance of some European Zoos and research institutions the Takhi was resettled into the wild and their numbers are growing. National Park offers you a comfortable accommodation and stunning tours.
Waterfall Ulaan Tsutgalan (Orkhon)
It is a waterfall when the Ulaan River cascades from an impressive height of 20 meters into the Orkhon River. The Orkhon River, one of the Mongolia’s biggest rivers, flows through basalt rocks from the highlands of Khangai mountains to the Selenga river. The waterfall is a great spot for bird watching and fishing. Here you have great opportunity for hiking, walking and also visit a local herdsmen family to experience their way of life, culture and traditions of nomads.
Karakorum and Erdene zuu monastery
Located 360 km from Ulaanbaatar these are the sites of 13th century capital of Mongolia Karakorum ( spelled also Kharkhorin) and the Erdenezuu monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, with its 108 stupas are undoubtedly at great interest to travelers.
Genghis Khan's fabled city was founded in 1220 in the Orkhon valley, at the crossroads of the Silk Road . Building was completed by his son, Ogedei Khan, after Genghis' death, but Karakorum served as the capital for only 40 years before Kublai Khan moved it to what is now Beijing.
Following the move, and the subsequent collapse of the Mongolian empire, Karakorum was abandoned and then later destroyed by hordes of Manchurian soldiers.
The symbolic ruins of Karakorum monumental walls (400 m of length) with 108 stupas, surround the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia Erdenezuu Monastery, built in 1586. In 1792, it housed 62 temples and 10,000 lamas; which itself was badly destroyed during the Stalinist purges in 1930s. After democratic movement in 1990, it has become an acting monastery again. Turtles carved from the stone marked the boundaries of the complex. Today it retains much of its former glory. Enclosed in an immense walled compound, the 3 temples within are dedicated to the 3 stages of Buddha's life: as a child, adolescent and adult. The main, central temple is called the Zuu of Buddha and has statues of Buddha as a child. Outside the monastery walls are 2 'turtle rocks'. Four of these once marked the boundaries of ancient Karakorum.
Ugii Lake
Ugii Lake is situated 1.337 meters above the sea level in the eastern ends of Khangai mountains. It covers 25 square kilometers, and is known for its reach bird and fish diversity. The fish population is represented by pike, catfish, barscharten, which are the most common types providing enough fish for industrial fishing. Fifty to eighty tons are caught annually. Among the birds, it is not rare to spot at Swan Goose, White Spoonbill and Dalmatian Pelican. Upon such biodiversity the lake become famous tourist attraction. On the lake shores rests number of tourist camps with comfortable national dwelling - gers.
Khorgo Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park
The National Park was established to protect the spectacular mountain scenery and endangered species of flora & fauna. Located at the heart of the Khangai Mountains, the site is elevated at 3000 meters above the sea level. In the comparatively small area you can find about a dozen of extinct volcanoes, some of them has a tiny crystal- clears lake in the crater.
The Khorgo crater, the biggest one, situated at an altitude of 2.210 meters with a diameter of 200 meters and depth of 300, is the most interesting at all. From the top of the crater you can see the splendid view over the whole region and the lake.
There is no lake in this crater, but clouds of steam jet out it is crevices forming ice moulds in winter , which from a distance look like large flocks of sheep scattered on the mountain. Near the crater there are dozens of small caverns with stalactites hanging from their ceiling and walls.
Some time in past volcanic lava flooded the valleys nearby which are covered today with small woods and a great variety of berries and flowers. In the woods there are lots of deer, wild goat and other animals, as well as various kinds of birds.
Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake. An immense mass of white-hot lava once blocked the bed of the River Terkh and it is water formed Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan, which is 16 kilometers in length, 20 meters in depth. It is situated at an altitude of 2.060 meters. River Suman, cascading from the lake in stormy torrents, pierced through the rocks to form a canyon and several small lakes. The waters of the river are so turbulent that they do not freeze in the severest winter frosts. In the middle of the lake there is volcanic Island is covered with nests made of the fragrant grass Sam khan. The lake nests great variety of wild birds. It is also wonderful fishing spot.
Lake Huvsgul “The Dark Blue Pearl ”
Huvsgul Lake is known as Dark Blue Pearl among beautiful mountains. This is the perfect place to have vacation, kayaking, canoeing, hiking and trekking. Lake Huvsgul is Mongolia 's largest and deepest lake. Located in the northernmost province, it is the largest tributary stream of Lake Baikal in Russia . 96 rivers and streams flow into the lake and only one the Egiin River takes start from crystal clear waters of Huvsgul lake. Lake Huvsgul is 136 km long, 36 km wide and 262 meters in depth. Located at an altitude of 1645 m above sea level. Taiga Fauna and Flora, Tsaatan, practicing reindeer breeding are the main attractions for tourist. Fishing and sport fishing are becoming popular in the lake area. Lake Huvsgul is on the important migration route for birds from Siberia , thus facilitating marvelous opportunities for bird watching.
Hot Spring
This mineral water hot spring is located in Tsenkher sum in Arkhangai province at a height of 1860 m above sea level. 86 C degrees hot spring that spouts out from rock belly with a speed of 10 m/sec contains proper amount of minerals that makes the spring famous for its healing and refreshing abilities. There are number of bathing facilities to provide comfortable services. The site is also famous of its natural beauty. Here you can take several kinds of walking, hiking tours along with surrounding mountains, horse and yak riding tours are also available. Hot springs are at service all round a year.
Tsetserleg city
The administrative centre of Arkhangai since 1923, Tsetserleg city surrounded by rocky mountains is the one of the most visited by tourists cities developed in the country. Once being one of the most important religious centers of western Mongolia, city encompasses the remains of Zayain Khuree Monastery founded in the 17th century, housed over 1000 monks before its closure in the 1930’s. There are also several of natural museums and small temples to walk in. You can also visit local market and see the life of ordinary Mongolian local town.
Tovkhon Khiid Monastery
It was built in 1653 for the 19th birthday of Undor Gegeen Zanabazar, (the first leader of the Mongol Lamaism church and led an intense intellectual, religious and artistic life) and named as “ Land of Happy Solitude”. The heritage of Tovkhon is 68 km from Kharkhorin.
Not far from the summit of the mountains, on a first platform, there are several temples, one of which is made from wood. To the west of them you can see a footprint attributed to the first Bogd Gegeen and a small cave where he meditated. Climbing further up, you arrive at a second platform from which a spring runs out. Another cave is located here is the Ekhiin 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 uterus to which the pilgrims appeal in the hope of having their in the hope of having their falts washed away in the next rebirth. From there one can climb higher and reach the summit of the mountain an ovoo rock called the place of naadam.
Burial Sites and Deer Stones
Mongolia is considered one of the cradles of humanity. Archeological digs from 1995 have uncovered human remains ( Homo Sapiens) dating back to nearly 700,000 years ago, during the Stone Age. There are many burial Sites found in Mongolia date back to Stone age to 8th century AD. Most have not been exhibited, so not a great deal is known about them although it is widely accepted that the larger the stone pile is, the more important the person was.
550 deer stones have been found in Mongolia, and another 200 or so in the countries surrounding it. Deer stones generally feature deers, are thought to mark the graves of important people from the bronze age and are related to shamanism.
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