Top 5 National Parks
National Parks must hold historical and scenic significance for the country. There are total 22 national parks in Mongolia. In the following, we list national parks where tourists travel most.
Orkhon Valley
Orkhon valley, lying in Central part of Mongolia – 360km southwest from Ulaanbaatar city, is listed in UNESCO “World Heritage List” in 1996, due to continuously occupied throughout the Prehistoric and Bronze ages and in proto-historic and early historic times.
The site illustrates several stages of human history, including Uighur capital of Khar Balgas, Karakorum – grand capital of Great Mongol Empire and Erdene Zuu – Earliest Mongol Buddhist monastery. However, the most sites and heritages are located in both side of Orkhon river. This valley was found very suitable place for nomadic settlement by waves of people because it continuously occupied since earliest one that was about 40,000- 15,000 years ago – the site of Moiltyn Am.
Terelj National Park
Next, the park with unique rocky mountain formations is located 60 km east of Ulaanbaatar. Until 1960, There were many minings in Terelj. Yet it was halted due to high groundwater pressure. In fact, if the park is compared to the entire football field, the area that receives domestic and foreign tourists is about the size of a tennis ball. Moreover, Many historical and natural monuments such as Turtle Rock, Aryaabal Temple, Princess Temple and Terelj Hundred Trees can be seen in this park.
Altai Tavan Bogd National Park
Third, Altai Tavan Bogd is on the western edge of the Altai Mountains, stretching from north to south. The highest point in Mongolia is Khuiten Peak – 4374 meters above sea level. Interestingly, about 96% of Mongolia’s glaciers are in the Mongol Altai Mountains. Also there are leopards, otters, argali, ibex and deer listed in the Mongolian Red Book. Lakes and ponds are rich in waterfowls while birds of prey live in the mountains and forests.
Khustai National Park
Then, it is located about 90 kilometers to the west from Ulaanbaatar. The Khustai mountain range has a 2080-hectare birch forest at the top of the mountain with deer, wild boar, and various rodents. In the beginning, a project to reintroduce Przewalski’s horses has been implemented in this area since 1992.
Accordingly, 900 square kilometers of land have been protected under state protection. Currently, there are more than 250 Przewalski’s horses. Przewalski’s horse is considered to be the ancestor of Mongolian horses. Besides, there is a sand dune called Moltsog Els, which covers an area of about 10 square kilometers.
Gobi Three Beauty National Park
Finally, a beautiful place with unique landscapes in the Gobi Desert in southern Mongolia was taken under state protection in 1965. The Khongor Sands, which cover most of the park, is one of the most popular tourist destinations, stretching 180 km from northwest to southeast. Furthermore, there is a number of places where tourism has been booming in recent years. These include Yol Valley, Dungeenee Canyon, Khongor river, and Gegeet Valley.
