The total population of this ethnic group is 29766. The lifestyle of these people similar to majority group. But local language dialect is little bit different.
Amar Buyant Monastery
This monastery is located in Bayan-Undur village, Bayankhongor province. It was built by monk Agvaansodnom in 1750. It used to be the biggest monastery western Mongolia.13th Dalai Lama visited to this monastery.
Bayan Tooroi
It is one the oasis that locates in the desert beyond the Altai. This place distanced at 45 km from Eej Khairkhan mountain. Many different kinds of plants of Central Asia including Saxual tree and tooroi are grown here. The administrative office of Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area located at this place. Here experiment to domesticate two humped wild camel in special yard has being going on.
Eej (Mother) Khairkhan Mountain
The waterfall cascades from the peak of Eej khairkhan (2257 meter) and is a famous for its beauty. This mountain is formed of granite stone and its amazing Rock Formations created by Nature seems the some wise crafty man caved in purpose. The water flows through 9 granite pots locate with distance from each other 2-7m, with diameter of 2-3m, depth of 2-4m. Wild life is important and special –Haloxylon ammodendron, Ephedra glauca and Gobi Bear (Ursus artos) occur here. Eej Khairkhan covers 225 square km and has been enjoyed State Protection since 1992. It is on the western side of the oasis Zakhuin Bayan Burd in Tsogt village, Bayankhongor province.
Takhiin Tal
This area is included into Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area and this is last cradle land of Wild Horse “Takhi” inhabited. Wild Ass “Khulan” is common in Western Khuurain Gobi. Here is successfully implementing the second part of the project “Reintroducing will horses back to its wild home land”.
Buun Tsagaan Lake
It is the largest lake in the valley of lakes, covering the area of 252 square km, elevated at 1336 m above sea level, 24 km long and 16 km wide. The shore of the lake is shallow and sandy.
Khovd River
It rises in the permanent snows of Tavan Bogd mountain and flows 516 km into the lake of Khar Us Lake. The main tributaries are the Tsagaan River and Sagsai River. The Khovd River supports special fish, such as Khovd Umber (Thymallus brevirostris) and other species.
Bodonch river
It takes its source from Munhkhairkhan mountain and flows from 180 km through a sheer canyon and finally desiccates.
Munhkhairkhan mountain
It is the part of the main chain of the Mongol Altai Mountain Range, extending 100 km from northwest to southeast. Munhkhairkhan mountain has eternal snow and glacier covering an area of 200 square km. The highest peak is Tavan Khumst that attains 4.205 meters above sea levels.
Burkhan Hailaast
This mountain is formed of orange colored granite rock, locates in the south east mouth of Jinst mountain range in Bayangobi village, Bayankhongor province. However, the height of the mountain is 50-60 meters. It looks very strange and interesting from the the distance in vast Gobi. There are two granite holes that contains water inside of it, called Jartiin and Daltiin Khuv in the beginning of Khuv Khailaast pebbles in north west of granite low mountain ridge of Burkhan Khailaast mountain. Local people call these holes as “Chuluun Togoo” (meaning Granite pot). The surface of granite rock has been weathered by wind and rain water for millions of years, thus creating a deep hole. The water of these holes is replaced by rain water all the time. So it is wonder of the Gobi to provide animals and live stocks with water.
White Cave or Tsagaan Agui
The trace of ancient people who lived 700.000 years ago were found from this cave which a length of over 40 meters and it’s located on the mountain of Tsagkhir of Bayanlig village. Perhaps this confirms guess of scientists that human generated in central Asia. There is a rock painting in the Ikh Bayan village. This monument belongs to the bronze and has been protected since 1998.
Bichigtiin Am of Ikh Bayan mountain
This historical site is famous not only in Mongolia but is also a valuable cultural heritage of an ancient civilization of the world. The engravings are on the rocky slope of the mountain and stretch for a few hundred metres and remain in good condition. It dated back between 3000 BC and 8th century AD. According to the scientists’ assumption, the climate and geographic condition of this area was more convenient than present time. The climate was mild and the nature was rich in grass and forest to live for herds of deer. The theme of the painting is wonderful and wide ranged including showing “Wolves, leopard and lynx are chasing argali, ibex, a herd of deer, and seizing them to eat” and husbandry “people are leading the carts pulled by horse, camel and yak” and “People are hunting on horse and camel back” agriculture “two people are doing plough by yak cart” that is the most unique site as it was found in Mongolian Gobi. There are also rock paintings that display “Men on horse back and foot are fighting with archeries” Archery was invented by ancient people in Mesolithic and became the best weapon in 16th century.
Ikh Bogd Mountain
The mountain of Ikh Bogd, the highest peak of Gobi Altai Mountain range, attains an altitude of 3957m above sea level.
Orog Lake
The lake lies at the edge of the sand dunes of Ikh Els in Bogd village. The lake surface is at 1198 meter above sea level and covers 140 square km. The water is rich in fish. The abundance of food and secure nesting places attract flocks of birds –Dalmatian Pelican, Mute Swan, Bar-headed Goose, Swan, Goose and Little Whimbrel.
Tuin River
This River rises in the Khangai Mountain Range and flows 243 km southwards to feed Orog Lake.
Khoid Tsenkher Cave
It is the site of the oldest known rock paintings in Mongolia, dated as back belonging to the upper Paleolithic (20000-15000 years ago). The cave entrance, measuring 20 meters in height, is located partway up the side of a mountain facing the bank of Khoid Tsenkher River. On the wall of passage leading from the mouth of the cave, measuring 10 meters in length and 8 meters in width, there is an image of a two humped camel, not far from which is a collection of various other symbols and images, painted with a white outline and filled in with reddish ochre. Elsewhere, in the cave, at a depth of about 2 meters, a large number of overlapping symbols and animal shapes can be seen on the walls and ceiling, including images of deer, mountain goats, woolly mammoths and ostriches. The images of rock paintings of this cave are evaluated as only one the most unique rock paintings not only in the Mongolia and Asia but also in the world by its the representation method and style of drawing and how ancient people could clearly depict on the rock that they domesticated wild animals.
Baatarkhairkhan mountain
It is a small rocky mountain that situated at 8 km in southern north of Khovd town (Baatarkhairkhan at altitude 48000’ north, at longitude 91038’ east). This mountain was called “Taliin Ulaan” (meaning Red of Steppe) before 1912. During the battle to release Mongolia from Manchu in 1912, the main force of the Mongolian troops placed at this mountain and attacked through 6 sides of the town. Thus, in honor of this victory, this mountain was renamed as “Baatar Khairkhan” which means“Hero Mountain”) on August 7, 1912. It has been worshipped since 1931. On the rock of this mountain, there are large numbers of rock paintings which have images of hunter with archery, red deer and ibex, fighting 4 foxes, lynx, man, camel, fighting two horses, small boy riding young horse and several letters in Sanskrit and Tibet.
The largest number of different kind of ethnic groups
Mongolia has more than 20 ethnic groups. In this region, there are 15 kinds of ethnic group in Western Mongolia.
Mammal species and hoofed animal species
Mammal species and hoofed animal species including argali, ibex and deer, brown bear, snow leopard, and bird species of steppe, high mountains and water such as eagle and lammergeyer.
Khyargas Lake
It is one of the Mongolia’s largest lakes, covering 1406 square km, elevated at 1028 m above sea level. It is 75 km long, 31 km wide and 80 m deep. It is formed in tectonic depression thus creating beautiful capes and island. The Zavkhan River feeds Lake Airag, which is connected, to Khyargas lake by channel. The water is brackish and has rare fish such as Mongolian Grayling, Stone Moroko.
Khar Us Lake
Fresh water lake, covering the area of 1852 square km, elevated at 1157 m above sea level, 72 km long and 26 km wide. It is shallow lake with 4.5 m in deepest part. There are around 10 islands formed by tectonic activity. The biggest island is called Agbash which divides the lake into the parts.
Lakes Khoton, Khurgan and Dayan Nuur
Beautiful small lakes in Altai Tavan Bogd National park.
Namarjin Valley
Tsambagarav, a branch of Mongol Altai mountain range, is large mountain with eternal snow and has altitude of 4195 metere above sea level. Right part of Tsambagarav Mountain is called Namarjin Valley. This valley is a foot of the mountain. So it is very comfortable and ideal for herdsmen families. In summer time, Kazakh and Uuld ethnic people live here.
Zavkhan River
This river takes its source from streams of both sides of Otgontenger mountain which is highest peak of Khangai Mountain range. It is 808 km long. The average speed of this river is 0.7-1.2 m per second.
Pass of Nam
Burkhan Buudai mountain, a main branch of Mongol Altai Mountain range, is situated in the front of depression of Biger Lake in Gobi Altai province and elevated at 3765 m above sea level. It has been protected by the Mongolian government since 1996 as a Natural Reserve because of its natural beauty and rich flora and fauna that represent all the feature of Altai Mountain range. Nam Pass is a main pass of Burkhan Buudai mountain, which is elevated at 3000 m above sea level.
Chono Kharaikh river
This river takes its source from Khar Us Lake in Great Lakes Depression and flows for 20 km and then feed into Khar Lake. Beginning part of this river flows through deep gorge where hydro electric power station was built.
Tolbo lake
It is lake of 185 square km whose surface is at 2080 m above sea level. The lake water is crystal clear and fresh, over 10 km wide and 18 km long and 10 km deep.
Tsambagarav mountain
It is beautiful large mountain, 4195 meters above sea level. It is always covered with snow and located on the border of Mongolia’s Khovd and Bayan Olgii provinces`s.
Jargalant Khairkhan mountain
This mountain is involved in Mongol Altai Mountain range and separated by the valley of Khar Us Lake and Zereg Lake. Here, endangered wild animals such as argali, ibex and snow leopard live.
Kharkhiraa Mountain
It is eternal snow capped mountain located in Uvs Aimag, which is at an altitude of 4037 meters.
Turgen River
This river takes its source from eternal snow of Turgen mountain and glacier and flows through high mountain gorge until feeding into Uvs Lake in Great Lakes Depression. The flow of the river is very strong.
Turgen mountain
This mountain is situated in Mongol Altain Mountain Range, covering 104 square km with altitude of 3965 m above sea level. This wonderful beautiful mountain has very interesting natural formation having various natural zones of high mountain tundra, forest, taiga and forest steppe. The peaks of this mountain are eternal snow capped. Glaciers are common here. This mountain occupies 20% of total glaciations of Mongolian mountains. In the lower part of snow peaks of the mountain, larch, willow grove and different kind of bushy plants are grown. This mountain inhabited by various species of wild animals like argali, ibex, deer, snow leopard, Eurasian Lynx, Beech, Siberian Roe Deer, Manul and pig.
Achit lake
Fresh water lake, covering the area of 311 square km, elevated at 1464 m above sea level, 30 km long and 16 km wide. This lake is fed by White lake, Khatuu river, Bukh river, Uliastai river that flows from Siilkhem mountain that is branch of Mongol Altai Mountain range, snow of Turgen mountain and glacier.
Uureg lake
Salty water lake, covering the area of 238 square km, elevated at 1426 m above sea level, 19 km long and 18 km wide. It is formed in closed depression that located between Turgen mountain and Tsagaan Shiveet, a branch of Mongol Altai Mountain range. This lake is fed by rivers called Tsagaan Shuvuut, Tsagduul and Kharig.
Uvs Lake
It is the largest lake of Mongolia, elevated at 759 m above sea level. Uvs Lake is 84 km long and 79 km wide, 10-20 m deep, covering the area of 3350 square km with clear but brackish water-a-land locked Inland Sea. 38 rivers such as rivers of Nariin, Sagil, Borshoo and Khundlun rivers enter, but none drains out. The lake is a magnet for birds, over 220 species are recorded, including Osprey, White-tailed Eagle, Black Stork, Swan Goose, Bar-headed Goose and Eurasian Spoonbill. Over 100 pairs of Spoonbill nest in the vicinity, also Great White Heron, Whopper Swan, Great Black-headed Gull, White-headed and Gull.
Kazakh ethnic group
Only ethnic group whose religion, culture and language are completely different from other ethnic groups of Mongolia. It is second majority ethnic group of Mongolia with the population of 102983. The head of Mongolia, Choibalsan had made peace agreement with Ospan. So he supported the riot happened in Xinjian Uighur donating money and weapons. Since that time, refugees of Kazakh people started to fleeing to Mongolia. In 1940, according to the presidium, Bayan-Ulgii province was established for Kazakh people. Kazakh men are famous for hunting eagles.
Milky-white Tsagaan river
Tsagaan river joins to Khovd River 9 km north of the center of Tsengel village. Tsagaan river has white-colored water. After the confluence of the Tsagaan and Khovd rivers (distance of 500 meters) the water color of the Tsagaan river changes. Tsagaan river water is white-colored because the river takes its source from the mountain of Tavan Bogd Mountain with eternal snow and melts water carries away the clay in colloidal suspension from the glaciers.
Potanin Glacier
It is the biggest glacier with length of 20 km, depth of 5 km. During the expedition made by Russian expedition in 18th century, Potanin, a Russian scientist, discovered this glacier and had given his name to this.
Huiten Mountain
The highest peak of Mongolia, with altitude of 4374 m above sea level, located in Mongol Altai mountain Range.
Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain National Park
It was established in 1996, covers 636,161 hectares pristine landscape along the border of the western part of Ulaan Khus, Tsengel, Sagsai and Altai villages of Bayan-Ulgii province. Mongolia’s highest mountain /4374 m/ is situated in the park. The national Park with its amazing beauty embodies the special characteristics of high mountains, icy crystal rivers, mountain valleys, steppe landscapes and ecosystems. The area is last refuge for a number of endangered species such as argali and snow leopard. Also it is habitat of ibex, maral, red deer, and bird species like snow cock, eagle and lammergeyer. Altai Tavan Bogd is an important water source for the Great Lakes basin.
Altai mountain Range
It is biggest mountain range with snow capped peaks, stretches for 1500 km parallel to the county’s south western border. It has great 5 peaks that are elevated at higher than 4000 m above sea level. The area is one of the last refuges of Altai argali that is the world’s largest wild sheep, and of an important population of the endangered snow leopard.
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