Баттулга-Эр хүн гэдэг эмзэгхэн шүүдээ

Naadam Festival 20

Naadam 2015

In Mongolia,the national sports festival is called Naadam - the most famous celebration of the traditional way. Wrestling, archery and horse racing are the Three Main Games of Men which are rooted in the mists of antiquity and continue to be very popular among the Mongolia.

Wrestling is the most national and popular of all Mongol sports. It is the highlight of the Three Games of Men. The technique and ritual of Mongolian wrestling is distinctly national. 

Wrestling

Archery - It is an ancient sport of the Mongols which can be traced back to as early as 300 - 200 BC. The Mongols use a compound bow, built up of layers of horn, sinew, bark and wood. All archers adopt the same stance and posture. The distance is about 75m for men and 60m for women. Men shoot about 40 arrows and must score not less than 15 points and women shoot 20 arrows and must score at least 13 points using the same bow as the men. The one who scores the most points is the winner and the title of Mergen is bestowed on him or her.

Archery of Men

Ankle Bone shooting

Ankle Bone shooting 

 Horse racing is a normal part of the Naadam. This sport is also centuries old, dating back to the Bronze Age. The horses for the Naadam races are selected a month before the big day. Race horses are divided into several age groups: two, four, and five years old; over five years; and stallions. The riders are aged from 5 to 12. The distance varies according to the ages of horses, between 15 and 35 km.

Beautiful Mongolia 

 Untouched nature of Mongolia, that is a country of blue sky, great open space and Chinggis Khaan. It is a fantastic place. Ancient historical country is very new place for modern tourists. Every year thousands of tourists arrive to Mongolia and amazed with its beautiful wild nature and friendly nice people.

Welcome Mongolia

We invite every traveler to see wild natural by naked eyes, to enjoy fresh and clean air, to feel absolutely silence and wide steppes, to live through a nomadic life, their culture and to make adventurous trips and journey arriving in Mongolia.

 

East Mongolia

East Mongolia 

Chinggis Khaan  Statue 

The biggest and most impressive of the various statues and monuments in the area is the Chinggis Statue, 13km South of Delgerkhaan village. It was built in 1990 under the sponsorship of Unesco, to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the writing of The Secret History of the Mongols. The symbols on the side of the statue are the brands used by about 300 different clans in the area for marking their livestock.

Khukh Nuur 

Khukh Nuur. About 35km north-west of Tsenkhermandal, the small Khokh Nuur (Blue Lake) is said to be where Temujin was crowned Chinggis Khaan in 1206. There is a small plaque that marks the coronation spot, which some say was attended by 100,000 soldiers. It's not a required stop on the Chinggis Khaan pilgrimage trail but it provides a nice place to break a jeep trip. A further 30km away is the larger and prettier lake of Khangil Nuur

Shiliin Bogd 

 Shiliin Bogd Uul. At 1778m, Shiliin Bogd Uul. about 70km East of Dariganga, is the highest peak in Sukhbaatar aimag. The extinct volcano is sacred to many Mongolians: the spirit of any man (and man only!) who climbs it, especially at sunrise, will be revived. The region is stunning, isolated and close to the Chinese border - so be careful.
Shiliin Bogd offers one of the greatest sunrises in a country full of great sunrises.
On the road between Dariganga and Shiliin Bogd, 8km past Ganga Nuur, look out for the new statue of Toroi-Bandi, the 'Robin Hood' of Mongolia, who had a habit of stealing the horses of the local Manchurian rulers, then eluding them by hiding near Shiliin Bogd Uul. The statue, dedicated in 1999, pointedly faces China.

Western Mongolia

Altay Tavanbogd Natural Park

Altai Tavan Bogd 

This stunningly beautiful park stretches south from Tavanbogd Uul and includes the three stunning lakes of Khoton Nuur, Khurgan Nuur and Dayan Nuur. It's a remote area, divided from China by the high wall of snowcapped peaks, and known to local Kazakhs as the Syrgali region.
All three lakes are the source of the Khovd Gol, which eventually flows into Khar Us Nuur in Khovd aimag. It's possible to make rafting trips down river from Dayan Nuur, though no agencies offer this at present.
There are many archeological sites in the region. As the main road through the region swings towards the southern shore of Khurgan Nuur you can see a stupa-like construction and several burial sites. Nearby is a balbal (Turkic stone statue) and the remains of a processional pathway. Further along the road is a wooden Kazakh mosque, with a ger-shaped roof.
Further north-west, along the south-western shore of Khoton Nuur, the road deteriorates and there are several rivers to cross as they flow into the lake. North-west of Khoton Nuur the mountains close in and there's some fine trekking possibilities.

Tavanbogd (Five Saints) mountain rises 4374m above the borders of three nations, and for this reason it is also known as Nairamdal (Friendship) Peak. If you sit on the summit, you can simultaneously be in Mongolia, China and Russia (though you won't need a visa for all three).
Tavanbogd is one of Mongolia's most spectacular peaks, of interest to professional climbers, and the only one in Bavan-Olgii to be permanently covered with large glaciers (including the 19km long Potanii Glacier, the longest in Mongolia). It's fairly dangerous, and to climb it you need to be with an experienced group properly equipped with ice axes, crampons and ropes. Don't even consider attempting it solo. The best time to climb is August and September, after the worst of the summer rains.The massif is made up of five peaks (the five saints) - Khuiten, Naran, Olgii, Buraed and Nairamdal - the highest of which is Khuiten (meaning 'cold') at 4374m.

Uvs Lake 

Uvs Nuur. Uvs Lake, covering 3423 square kilometers, lies in the northern part of the Great Lakes basin in the northeastern region of Uvs province. At 84 km in length and 79km in width, this Lake is the biggest in Mongolia. Uvs Lake is uninterrupted, it has no streams flowing outwards and has a salt content five times higher than that of the sea. There are 38 rivers that join Uvs Lake, including Tes, Nariin, Kharkhiraa, Turgen, Sagil. Borshoo, Khundlon and Torkhilog. Adjoining the lake are salt marshes and all manner of plant life such as reeds, feather grass, various bushes and shrubs, sedge, willows and aspens. There are 362 types of aquatic birds, including swans, snow herons, spoonbills, steppe-hazel grouse, ducks and yellow-hazel geese, and 72 kinds of mammals.

Uvs Nuur is five times saltier than the ocean, and devoid of edible fish, but this doesn't mean the lake is dead. The lake's surface is at an altitude of 759m, making it the lowest point in western Mongolia. It has no outlet, so a lot of the shoreline is swampy, making it difficult to reach.
Except for Mongolia's highest peaks, this is the coldest part of the country: in 1974 a temperature of -57°C was recorded. Summer temperatures typically climb to over 40°C, and these extremes are one reason why the lake was chosen as one of ten locations globally to be studied for climate change by the international Geo-Biosphere Program. The lake is part of the Uvs Nuur Strictly Protected Area.
Despite the superlatives, compared with other lakes in western Mongolia, Uvs Nuur is disappointing: it is extremely large, difficult to reach and contains high levels of salt water. It is also not great for swimming or camping, though there is a small beach and camping area on the south-western shore, near to Ulaangom. Camping can be hell thanks to the mosquitoes. If you have a jeep, lots of time and a good guide, you will enjoy the scenery and birdlife, otherwise it is best to head for the prettier, smaller and more accessible Ulireg and Achit freshwater lakes.
Ornithologists have documented over 200 species of birds around Uvs Nuur, including cranes, spoonbills, geese and eagles, as well as gulls that fly thousands of kilometers from the southern coast of China to spend a brief summer in Mongolia.

Northern Mongolia

In Northern Mongolia 

Khuvsgul Lake

Reindeer people

 KHUVSGUL NUUR

Try to imagine a 2760 sq km (1080 sq mi) alpine lake, with water so pure you can drink it. Then add dozens of 2000m (6560ft) mountains, thick pine forests and lush meadows with grazing yaks and horses, and you have a vague impression of Khuvsgul Nuur, Mongolia's top scenic heart stopper. This is the deepest lake in Central Asia, and the world's 14th largest source of fresh water. Situated along the border with Russia, the lake is sacred to local Mongolians, who refer to it as 'mother'. It's full of fish and the area is home to sheep, ibex, bear and moose, as well as over 200 species of birds. There are numerous caves around the lake, though they're hard to find without a guide. Three separate peoples live in the area: Darkhad Mongols, Buryats and Tsaatan.
 

An amazing 90 rivers flow into the lake, but only a single river flows out - the Egiin Gol, which ultimately reaches Lake Baikal in Siberia. Khuvsgul Nuur freezes in winter, allowing huge trucks carrying fuel to cross from Siberia. Visitors can kayak on the lake when it unfreezes, and hike or ride on horseback (or yakback) around it.
 

The southern boundary of Khuvsgul Nuur is about 775km (480mi) north-west of Ulaanbaator and is reachable by occasional plane, bus or your own jeep. The best time to visit is in spring (around April and May). It's still very cold at this time and the lake may be frozen. The summer (July and August) is warmer but more crowded. Permits are required to visit the lake. They're available on the main road into Khuvsgul Nuur National Park, a few km before the southern entrance at the town of Khatgal.
 

It is impossible to imagine Mongolia without the uniquely magnificent and pristine land of Khuvsgul or lake Khuvsgul. Lake Khuvsgul covers an area of 2760sq.km and exists at 1605 m above sea level. Khuvsgul is the deepest lake in Central Asia, with a maximum depth of 262metres. It's water is crystal clear and fresh.

Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake - Volcano Khorgiin Togoo

Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur - Volcano Khorgiin Togoo

Terkhiin Tsagaan lake

Volcano Khorgo TERKHIIN TSAGAAN NUUR ( GREAT WHITE LIKE )

Known in English as the Great White Lake, this freshwater lake (and the volcanic area around it) is certainly the highlight of Arkhangai, and one of the best in a country full of beautiful lakes.
 

Surrounded by extinct and craters volcanoes (part of the Tarvagatain Nuruu range), Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur is not as forested or as large as Khuvsgul Nuur, but it is closer to Ulaanbaatar, completely undeveloped and just about perfect for camping (though there are a few flies in summer). The lake, bird life and mountains are now protected within the 77,267 hectare Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park.
 The lake is 16 kilometers wide, 4 to 10 meters deep and over 20 kilometers in length. It flooded 61 square kilometers. The lake supports Pike, Taimen, Lenok, Sig, Siberian Grayling, Roach and Burbot. Sig is a hunting fish. Rare birds are found here.

As the lake is 2060 above sea level it is frozen until June. This lake, which was formed by lava flows from a volcanic eruption many millennia ago, is excellent for swimming, though a bit cold in the morning - try the late afternoon, after the sun has warmed it. It even has what may be Mongolia's only truly sandy beach. The fishing is good. Dramatic sunsets round off the day perfectly.


One good excursion takes you to the top of Khorgo Uul volcano (2965m). A road leads 4km from Tariat (also known as Khorgo) village to the base of the volcano, from where it's a 10-minute walk up to the cone (GPS: N48° 11.695', E99° 51.054').

Orkhon waterfall - Eight Lakes- Tsenkher Hot spa

Orkhon waterfall - Eight Lakes- Tsenkher Hot spa

Orkhon waterfall 

Orkhon waterfall

After a strong rain this magnificent seasonal waterfall, also called Ulaan Tsutgalan (Улаан Цутгалан), is one of the best sights in central Mongolia. About 25m downstream from the waterfall you can climb down to the bottom of the gorge; it’s 22m deep and dotted with pine trees. The water doesn’t run all year and will only start to flow after the first good summer rain. Late July and August are the best times to see it. If it’s not running you could consider rearranging your travel schedule to visit later in the summer. If you arrive when the waterfall is not in flow, take solace in the fact that the region is still gorgeous, and a fine area for camping and horse riding.

Khuis lake

Shireet lake 

Khuisiin Naiman nuur

The Khuisiin Naiman Nuur national monument is located in Khangai mountain range, Central Mongolia. The area of Naiman Nuur (Eight Lakes), which was created by volcanic eruptions about 8000 years ago and Khuisiin Naiman Nuur (Navel Eight Lakes) is located on over 2,400 metre above sea level. The area of 11,500 hectare size was declared a National Monument in 1992. From the lakes, about 35km southwest of Orkhon Khurkhree (waterfall), but the roads are often virtually impassable. The lakes are named Shireet, Khaliut, Bugat, Khaya, Khuis, Onon, Doroo and Bayan-Uul. Two of the smaller lakes are completely dried up, the second largest lake Khuis Nuur is dried up to ten percent.

The lakes located in a high mountain area with sub alpine mountain meadows and coniferous forests of Siberian Pine and Siberian Larch; flat valley areas with lava stone fields in the north of the protected area and barren mountain tops, and the lakes. The mean air temperature is minus 8 to minus 6 degree Celsius, and the annual total precipitation is 400 to 500 millimeter. In this area, there are 50 species from 22 families have been recorded such as Black-throated Diver, Great Cormoran, Bar-headed Goose and Whooper Swan. The area covers 11,500 hectares around the lake located in the Uyanga soum territory of Ovorkhangai aimag to the southwest of the Khangai mountain range and its surrounding area. It was placed under state special protection, and was included in the category "Cultural and Historical Sites".

Khuisiin Naiman Nuur with its exceptional configuration is surrounded by the beautiful nature of the middle part of the Khangai mountain range.
lso, 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 Khuisiin Naiman Nuur (Khuisiin Eight Lakes).

Tsenkher hot spa

Tsenkher hot spa

This spring lies south of Tsetserleg town in Arkhangai province and comes out from far deep part of the ground and its water is not mixed with soil waters because it is hot. Also the spring is kept in high pressure under the ground flow rate is high, 10 liters per seconds. The water has high mineral content and containing everything from simple calcium, sodium to sulphuric. Folklore claimed medical value some of this springs have, they are often popular tourist destinations for Mongolian people. The spring produce water that is good for health reasons and water is effect for joints, nerve system and considered good for many other diseases. Sometimes, people drink the water for diabetes and stomach ulcer and disabilities. Surrounding area is home of species of medicinal herbs. 

There is several tourist camps which are offering for tourists indoor and outdoor baths. They transfer the hot water via tubes from  and built some pools. Curative water and amazing nature featured by wooden mountains make this an excellent place for relax. Night bath is great. Sitting in the pool drinking while seeing stars at the dark sky is one of the favorite activity in here. The open air-baths are recommended.

This area has several other hot springs named Bor tal, Gyalgar, Tsagaan Süm etc. Near to the spring, there is a picturesque Suvarga khairkhan Mountain and its top is a crater with a small, fresh watered lake. Because it is lying on the main tour route, over 20000 tourists pass this spring.   

Gobi tour - Khongor sand dunes, Yoliim am and Bayan zag

 Khongor sand dunes, Yoliim am, Tsagaan suvarga and Bayan zag 

Khongor sand dunes

Khongoryn Els (Khongor sand dunes). The Khongoryn Els are some of the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in Mongolia. There is an exotic sand dune called Khongor in the territory of Sevrei soum of Sout govi province. This sand dune stretches in 130 kilometer area of the province. The width of the sand dune is 3-5 kilometers and gets to 20 kilometers in some parts. The height of the Khongor sand dune is approximately 80 meters. The highest point of it reaches 195 meters above ground level. The dune is also referred to "Voicy mankhan" by locals as it generates sound similar to that of airplanes. Travelers coming up here run down the sand dune and as they stop suddenly they would hear plane like sound. The locals advise that the travelers should walk barefeet on the hot sand which is extremely good for health. If you do not want to walk you may choose to go by camel, just behind the sand dune there is a river called Khongor as well and it runs over 10 kilometers long. Khongor river has gorgeously gfeen grass. It flows into Adag nuur. Green grass covering land behind yellow sand under blue sky. Perfect harmony in nature.

Yoliin am - Ice Valley 

Yolyn Am. Yolyn Am (Vulture's Mouth) was originally established to conserve the birdlife in the region, but it's now more famous for its dra-matic and very unusual scenery - it is a valley in the middle of the Gobi Desert, with metres-thick ice almost all year-round.
The small nature museum at the gate on the main road to Yolyn Am has a collection of dinosaur eggs and bones, stuffed birds and a snow leopard. There is also an ethnography museum in a ger, which is worth a visit.
Look out for the remarkable petrified wood lying by the roadside. The ranger office and museum sell some good souvenirs, including landscape paintings and, amaz-ingly, one of the best collections of Mongolian stamps in the country.
From the museum, the road continues for another 10km to a car park. From there, a pleasant 25-minute walk, following the stream, leads to a gorge full of ice. In winter, the ice is up to 10m high, and continues down the gorge for another 10km. It remains frozen for most of the year, except lor about a month starting in late August.
You can walk on the ice - but be careful, especially in late summer.
The surrounding hills offer plenty of opportunities for some fine, if somewhat strenuous, day hikes. If you are lucky you might spot ibex or argali sheep along the steep valley ridges.

Bayan zag 

Bayanzag. Bayanzag, 120km northwest of Dalanzadgad, earned its place in history as the first spot dinosaur remains were found in Asia by US paleontologists in 1921. It is called Bayanzag because it is rich in saxual trees (haloxylon ammodendron). Skeletons of protoceratops and tarbosaurus have been found here. With its huge red cliffs, Bayanzag is a beautiful place with unusual land formations. The Americans dubbed these cliffs the “Flaming Cliffs” in 1921. Because it is such a big tourist attraction, there are plenty of souvenirs for sale here. You can also hire camels to ride.

Tsagaan suvarga

Tsagaan Suvarga is located 419km away to the south west of Ulaanbaaatar city in Dundgovi province. It's 90 degree of straight, consist of many colors of clay deposit. In ancient times, there was a big sea in Khevtee and Bosoo valleys of Tsagaan Suvarga. After dried up the sea, this area became a valley with many glacis and escarpment with 200m height and 400m long. This place has been protected since early times and local people say that Tsagaan Khairkhan / respectful name/ instead of Tsagaan Suvarga.  

Kharakhorum - Erdenezuu Monastery

Kharakhorum - Erdenezuu Monastery                   

Mongolia’s ancient capital, Kharakhorum, Chinggis Khaan’s fabled city, was founded in 1220 in the Orkhon valley, at the crossroads of the Silk Road. It was from there that the Mongol Empire governed, until Khubilai Khaan moved it to Beijing. The symbolic ruins of Kharakhorum (kharkhorin), monumental walls (400 m of length) with 108 stupas, surround the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia Erdene Zuu Monastery, built in 1586. In 1792, it housed 62 temples and 10,000 lamas; since 1990, it has become an active monastery again. Turtles carved from the stone marked the boundaries of the complex. Nearby, Turkish monuments and rock inscriptions erected in 8-9th centuries in memory of outstanding fighters for independence.
 

In 1220 Genghis Khan decided to build the capital city of his vast Mongolian empire at Karakorum. Building was completed by his son, Ogedai 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. Whatever was left was used to help build the Erdene Zuu monastery in the 16th century, which itself was badly destroyed during the Stalinist purges. The modern and dreary town of Kharkhorin was built on the same spot.

Erdene Zuu Khiid (monastery)

Erdene Zuu  was the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. The monastery was started in 1586 by Abtai Khaan, but wasn't entirely finished until about 300 years later. It had between 60 and 100 temples, about 300 gers were set up inside the walls and, at its height, up to 1000 monks were in residence.

Like Karakorum, the monastery was abandoned and then vandalized by invading Manchus. Attempts at restoration were made in about 1760 and, again, in 1808 under the direction of the famous architect Manzshir, but then came the Stalinist purges of the 1930s. All but three of the temples in Erdene Zuu were destroyed and an unknown number of monks were either killed or shipped off to Siberia and never heard from again.

However, a surprising number of statues, tsam masks and scroll paintings were saved from the monastery at the time of the purges - possibly with the help of a few sympathetic military officers. These were buried in nearby mountains, or stored in local homes (at great risk to the residents). Sadly the statues are still not safe: a security system was installed in the monastery halls in early 2000 after several statues were stolen.

The monastery remained closed until 1965 when it was permitted to reopen as a museum, but not as a place of worship. It was only with the collapse of communism in 1990 that religious freedom was restored and the monastery became active again. Today, Erdene Zuu Khiid still retains much of its former glory, though no doubt it's a shadow of what it once was. Restoration of the monastery is one of Mongolia's top cultural projects, but few funds are available from the government or international agencies.
 

Temples. The monastery is enclosed in an immense walled compound. Spaced evenly along each wall, about every 15m, are 108 stupas (108 is a sacred number to Buddhists). The three temples in the compound which were not destroyed in the 1930s, are dedicated to the three stages of Buddha's life: childhood, adolescence and adulthood. See the boxed text 'Important Figures of Tibetan Buddhism' in the Facts about Mongolia chapter for a brief description of some of the gods you will see in the monastery.

Dalai Lama Sum was built to commemorate the visit by Abtai Khaan's son, Altan, to the Dalai Lama in Tibet in 1675. The room is bare save for a statue of Zanabazar and some fine 17th-century scroll paintings depicting the dalai lamas and various protector deities.
 

Inside the courtyard, the temple to the west, built by Abtai Khaan and his son, is dedicated to the adult Buddha. Inside, on either side of Sakyamuni (the historical Buddha), are statues of Sanjaa (Sanskrit: Dipamkara), the past Buddha, to the left; and Maidar (Sanskrit: Maitreya), the future Buddha, to the right. Other items on display include some golden 'wheels of eternity', naimin takhel (the eight auspicious symbols), figurines from the 17th and 18th centuries, and balm (wheat dough cakes, decorated with colored medallions of goat or mutton fat), made in 1965 and still well preserved. Look out for the inner circumambulation path leading off to the left, just by the entrance.
 

The main and central temple is called the Zuu of Buddha. The entrance is flanked by the gods Gonggor on the left and Bandal Lham (Sanskrit: Palden Lhamo) on the right. Inside, on either side of the statues of the child Buddha, are (to the right) Otoch Manal, the Medicine Buddha and (to the left) Holy Abida, the god of justice. The temple also contains statues of Niam and Dabaa, the sun and moon gods respectively, a few of the tsam masks that survived the purges, some carved, aggressive looking guards from the 16th and 17th centuries, and some displays of the work of the revered sculptor and Buddhist, Zanabazar.
 

In the temple to the east, there's a statue depicting the adolescent Buddha. The statue on the right is Tsongkhapa, who founded the yellow Hat sect of Buddhism in Tibet. The figure on the left is Janraisig (Tibetan: Chenresig; Sanskrit: Avalokitesvara), the bodhisattva of compassion.
 

As you walk north you will pass the Golden Prayer Stupa, built in 1799. The temple next to this is said to be the first temple built at Erdene Zuu. Look out for the mandala on the ceiling.

The large white temple at the far end is the Tibetan-style Lavrin Sum, where ceremonies are held every morning.
 

Apart from the main temples, there are several other interesting things to see. The gravestones of Abtai Khaan (1554-1588) and his grandson Tushet Khaan Gombodorj (the father of Zanabazar) stand in front of the Dalai Lama Sum and are inscribed in Mongol, Chinese, Tibetan and Arabic scripts. In the north-east of the monastery are the base stones of a gigantic ger (now called the Square of Happiness and Prosperity), set up in 1639 to commemorate Zanabazar's birthday. The ger was reported to be 15m high and 45m in diameter, with 35 concertina-style walls, and could seat 300 during the annual assemblies of the local khaans. The hollow of what was once an artificial lake can be seen next to the foundations.

Entrance to the monastery grounds is free. If you want to see inside the temples, however, you'll have to go to the administration office on your left as you enter the grounds from the south and buy a ticket for T3000, which includes a guided tour of the site. The museum is open from 9 am to 6 pm daily. The monastery is an easy 2km walk from the center of Kharkhorin.
 

Ceremonies in Lavrin Slim usually start at around 11 am, though the times vary so ask at the office. Visitors are welcome, but photographs during ceremonies are not. A shop next to the administration office sells some good but expensive souvenirs.

There is a US$5 charge to take photographs inside the temple, while using a video camera costs US$10. Outside of the temples, you may take as many photos as you wish.
 

Turtle Rocks. Outside the monastery walls are two 'turtle rocks'. Four of these sculptures once marked the boundaries of ancient Karakorum, acting as protectors of the city (turtles are considered symbols of eternity). The turtles originally had an inscribed stone stele mounted vertically on their back.

One is easy to find: just walk out of the northern gate of the monastery and follow the path north-west for about 300m. Often, an impromptu souvenir market is set up here next to the turtle rock. You'll need a guide or directions to find the other turtle rock.
 

Phallic Rock. If you have some time, it is worth looking for the bizarre 'phallic rock', which points erotically to something interestingly called a 'vaginal slope'. It is surrounded by a stone fence, hidden up a small valley, and visible from the main road to Ulaanbaator, about 1km from Kharkhorin.

Legend has it that the rock was placed here in an attempt to stop frisky monks, filled with lust by the shapely slope, from fraternising with the local women.

THE INTERESTING INFORMATION. THE ANCIENT CAPITAL

Hardly a single stone remains of ancient Karakorum, the Mongol capital, but an intriguing picture can be painted using contemporary accounts of visiting missionaries ambassadors and travellers.

The city was situated at the crossroads of trade routes and was surrounded by walls with four gates; each had its own market, selling grain in the east, goats in the west, oxen and wagons in the south and horses in the north.
 

The surrounding town of gers was an impressive sight, though the missionary William of Rubruck (1215-1295) dismissed the city as no bigger than the suburb of Saint Denis in Paris. Giovanni de Piano Carpine (1180-1252), an envoy sent to the Mongols in 1245 by Pope Innocent IV, described the city vaguely as 'at the distance of a year's walk' from Rome. Marco Polo gave a brief description of the city, though he never made it there.
 

The Mongol khaans were famed for their religious tolerance and split their time equally between all the religions; hence twelve different religions co-existed within the town. Mosques, Buddhist monasteries and Nestorian Christian churches competed for the Mongol's souls. Even powerful figures such as Ogedei's wife and Khublai's mother were Nestorian Christians.
 

The centrepiece of the city was the Tumen Amgalan, or Palace of Worldly Peace, in the south-west corner of the city. This 2500 sq meter complex, built in 1235, was the palace of Ogedei Khaan. The two-storey palace had a vast reception hall for receiving ambassadors, and its 64 pillars resembled the nave of a church. The walls were painted, the green-tiled floor had underfloor heating, and the Chinese-style roof was covered in green and red tiles. Whenever he was at court, the khaan sat on a panther skin atop a great throne, to which stairs ascended from one side and descended from the other. You can see a model of the palace in the Museum of Mongolian History in Ulaanbaatar.
 

The most memorable highlight of the city was a fountain designed in 1253 by the French jeweller and sculptor Guillaume Bouchier (or Bouchee) of Paris, who had been captured by the Mongols in Hungary and brought back to embellish Karakorum. The fountain was in the shape of a huge silver tree, which simultaneously dispensed mare's milk from silver lion's heads, and wine, rice wine, bal (mead) and airag from four golden spouts shaped like snake heads. On top of the tree was an angel. On order a servant blew a pipe like a bugle that extended from the angel's mouth, giving the order for other servants to pump drinks out of the tree.
 

Mongolian noblemen lived in the north of town, near the Orkhon Col. Rubruck disparagingly describes various pleasure domes and epic feasts (during one of which the Mongol guests guzzled 105 cartloads of alcohol). There were also quarters of craftsmen and traders, populated by a great mix of people brought back to Karakorum from all over Asia. So cosmopolitan was the city that both foreign and Mongol coins were legal tender.

Short trip - Khustain Nuruu National Park

KHUSTAIN NURUU NATURE RESERVE

The nature reserve is about 100km (62mi) south-west of Ulaanbaatar. The Khustain Nuruu Nature Reserve was established in 1993 to preserve Mongolia's wild Takhi horses and the steppe environment in which they live. The Takhi is probably the most recognized and successful symbol of Mongolia's diverse and unique wildlife. Also known as Przewalski's horse (named after the Pole who first took an interest in them), the Takhi used to roam the countryside in great herds. In the 1960s they almost became extinct because poachers killed them for meat, and because development and livestock overgrazing reduced their fodder. In the early 1990s, with assistance from international environmental groups, many Takhi were reintroduced into specially protected areas in the 90,000ha (222,300acre) Khustain Nuruu and in the south Gobi. About 200 now live in this park or in the wild. In addition to the Takhi, there are populations of maral (Asiatic red deer), steppe gazelle, deer, boar, manul wild cat, wolf and lynx. A visit to the park has become a popular overnight excursion from Ulaanbaator in recent years.

Entry to the park is a one-time fee of US$15. It's worth spending at least one night in the park as you are most likely to see Takhi and other wildlife at dusk or dawn.
The park is run by the Mongolian Association for the Conservation of Nature and the Environment (MACNE), with the cooperation of the Foundation Reserves for the Przewalski Horse (FRPH) and the support of the Dutch government.
The information centre at the entrance to Khustai National Park has a ger with displays on the park and the Takhi horse, as well as a small souvenir shop. Ten kilometres South into the park's core area is the former park headquarters, where there is a Takhi enclosure. Another 10km or so West is the Moilt camp, where there is cabin-style accommodation.
The park is starting to offer horse riding, hiking, jeep excursions and fishing in an effort to make the park self-financing. Several hiking routes have been established. One good hike takes you from the visitors center to Moilt camp in about four to five hours.
A good horse riding trip takes you to some Turkic graves in the south-east of the park and then on to the Tuul Gol. With your own jeep you can drive to the Moilt camp, stopping at Takhi enclosures en route. Park regulations require you to take a park guide and stick only to existing tracks. Wildlife watching is best at dusk and at dawn. One of the best places to head for is the Tuul Gol, where Takhi usually come to drink in the evening.
Camping on your own is not allowed inside the park so have to camp outside the park boundary. There is a small ger camp at the entrance to the park.
To get to the park you have to travel 100km west of Ulaanbaatar, along the road to Kharkhorin, where there is a signpost pointing you the 10km South to the park entrance. There is no scheduled transportation to the park. You could hitch or take a bus to the turn-off and walk.

TAKHI - THE REINTRODUCTION OF A SPECIES

The Mongolian wild horse is probably the most recognized and successful symbol of the preservation and protection of Mongolia's diverse and unique wildlife. The Takhi, also known as the Przewalski horse (named after the Polish explorer who first 'discovered' the horse in 1878), used to roam the countryside in great herds.
The last wild Mongolian Takhi was spotted in the western Gobi in 1969. At that time, only about a dozen Takhi remained alive, living in zoos in Russia and Europe. Special breeding programs in Australia, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands have brought the numbers of Takhi outside of Mongolia to about 1500. The entire global population of Takhi are now descended from the bloodline of three stallions and so computerized records have been introduced to avoid inbreeding.
Between 1992 and 2000, with assistance from international environmental agencies, Takhi were reintroduced into Mongolia at Khustai Nuruu, and Takhiin Tal, in the South Gobi. Today there are currently 107 Takhi in Khustai and 59 in Takhiin Tal.
The Takhi are the last remaining wild horse worldwide, the forerunner of the domestic horse, as depicted in cave paintings in France. They are not simply horses that have become feral, or wild, as found in the USA or Australia, but a genetically different species, boasting two extra chromosomes in their DNA make-up. The Takhi are sandy coloured except for a dark dorsal stripe. The tail and legs are dark and the legs have zebra stripes. The skull and jaw is heavier than a horse's, there is no forelock and the mane is short and erect.

New arrivals are kept in enclosures for a year to help them adapt to a new climate. The laws of nature are allowed to run their course; an average of five foals are killed by wolves every year in Khustai. The park gets locals onside by hiring herders as rangers, offering cheap loans to others and offering employment at the park's cheese-making factory on the outskirts of the park.

Short trip The Gorkhi - Tereglj National Park

THE GORKHI-TERELJ NATIONAL PARK

Terelj, about 80km north-east of Ulaanbaatar, is a deservedly popular destination. At 1600m, the area is cool and the alpine scenery is magnificent, and there are great opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, swimming (in icy water), rafting, horse riding and, for hard-core extreme sports fanatics, skiing in the depths of winter. Most visited is the turtle rock and the dinosaurs park.

Terelj was first developed for tourism in 1964 and 30 years later it became part of the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. To the north-east, the park joins into the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area, comprising over 1.2 million hectares of the Tov, Selenge and Khentii aimags. The Khan Khentii park is almost completely uninhabited by humans, but it is home to endangered species of moose, brown bear and weasel, to name but a few, and to over 250 species of birds. Parts of the tiny section of the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park developed for tourism are a bit touristy: some ger camps have concrete car parks, ugly electricity poles, TV antennae and discos at night; and locals overcharge for goods and services. But you can easily get away from all this if you want.
 
In later summer, the mosquitoes at Terelj can be appalling - at times, the worst in the country - so make sure you have insect repellent with you.

GUNJIIN SUM

Surrounded by magnificent forests, not far from the lovely river, the Baruun Bayan Gol, the temple was built in 1740 by Efu Dondovdorj to commemorate the death of his Manchurian wife Amarlangui. Once part of a huge monastery containing about 70 sq metres of blue walls, five other temples and a tower, Gunjiin Sum is one of the very few - if not the only - Manchurian-influenced temple in Mongolia to survive over the centuries.

Unlike most other monasteries in Mongolia, Gunjiin was not destroyed, but just fell into ruin from neglect, vandalism and theft. Only the main temple, and some of the walls of the monastery, remain. Although you wouldn't know it, extensive restoration has been carried out - and is still being carried out - which gives you some idea of how damaged it must have been.

The temple is not a must - there are several better and more accessible temples and monasteries in Ulaanbaatar and Tov - it's more of an excuse for a great overnight trek, on horse or foot, from the ger camps at Terelj, or as part of a longer trip around the national park.

Gunjiin is about 30km (as the crow flies) North of the main area where most of the ger camps are situated in Terelj. With a guide you can hike directly over the mountains, or take the easier but longer route along the Baruun Bayan Gol to get there. You can reach it in a day on horseback, while trekkers should allow two days each way for the journey.

ACTIVITIES

Hiking. If you have good maps, a compass and some experience (or a proper guide), hiking in Terelj is superb in summer, but be careful of the very fragile environment, and be aware of the mosquitoes and unpredictable weather. The fact that helicopters are sometimes used by travel agencies to start or finish treks in this area shows you how remote the terrain can be.

For more sedate walks around the Terelj ger camp area, just follow the main road and pick a side valley to stroll along at your leisure. From the main road, look out for two interesting rock formations: Turtle Rock (Melkhi Khad), in a side valley, which really looks like one at a certain angle, and the Old Man Reading a Book, on top of a hill.
Some suggested easier hikes are to Gunjiin Sum or along the Terelj or Tuul rivers towards Khentii Nuruu. This is a great area for wildflowers, particularly rhododendron and edelweiss.
Places of interest on more difficult, longer treks in Khentii Nuruu are:

• Khagiin Khar Nuur. A 20m-deep glacial lake, about 80km up the Tuul Gol from the ger camps at Terelj.
• Yestii Hot Water Springs. These springs reach up to 35°C, and are fed by the Yuroo and Estiin rivers. Yestii is about 18km North of Khagiin Khar Nuur.
• Altan-Olgii Uul (2656m). The source of the Akhain Gol.
• Baga Khentii Nuuru. North of Akhain Gol.
   

Horse Riding. Travelling on a horse is the perfect way to see a lot of the park, including Gunjiin Sum and the side valleys of the Tuul Gol. To travel any long distances, you will need to have experience, or a guide, and to bring most of your own gear. Horses can be hired through any of the ger camps, but you'll pay high tourist prices. A mob of horse boys hang outside the UB2 ger camp complex offering horse ride. Alternatively, approach one of the Mongolian families who live around the park and hire one of their horses.

Rafting. Tuul Gol, which starts in the park and flows to Ulaanbaatar and beyond, is one of the best places in the country for rafting. The best section of the river is a 40km stretch from an area known as Dorgontiin Gatsaa, North of the Terelj ger camp area, to Gachuurt, near Ulaanbaatar.


Skiing. If you're unlucky enough to be in Mongolia during the -30°C winter, and can stand leaving your heated hotel, you might as well make the most of it and enjoy some outstanding cross-country skiing around Terelj. There are no set trails, so just take your own gear and ask the locals, or any ger camps that are operating, for some good, safe areas to try.

Naya Budget Tour & Guest House

Naya Budget Tour & Guest House

Welcome to Naya Budget Tour & Guest house. Naya Budget Tour Guest house & is located in the center of Ulaanbaatar. This  guest house accommodation is only 15 minutes from central train station. We provide the best service and to have comfortable accommodation and friendly staff to serve our guests.

We can arrange trips all kinds of tours in around Mongolia such as gobi tour, central and northern Mongolia and other main attractions of Mongolia. The owner has been experienced and specialized at travel sector and tour arrangement for many years.

We offer our guests the best service at the lowest price. As well as  accommodation we offer free care children in the guest house. Children under 11 years enjoy the vacation free of charge.  The guest house with free breakfast, and free pick up train station and free linen, free ticketing services. Airport pick up and take off.

We, Naya Budget  Tours specialize in tailor made and small group active adventure, cultural and natural discovery tours by jeep, on horseback or by mountain bike to every corner of Mongolia. Our tours range from Ulaanbaatar city tour, short trips and stopovers to long tours.
We know how far away you are coming, how is it to make a decision to travel such an isolated and less known country and spending how much of your time and value.
As well as, we know, have to make your holiday lifetime pleasant and unforgettable experience.

Our Tours

• Adventure Tours
• Community Based Tours
• Discovery Tours
• Family tours
• Historical & Cultural tours
• Naadam Tours
• Winter Tours
• Short Trips

WHY CHOOSE US?

Experienced: We have been working in the tourism sector for more than 6 years. All the tours we are offering you are carefully handpicked at the base of our experience and available to customize for your interest and comfort. We hear our customers: What our customers say during or after the trip is the most valuable advice for us, it gives us new ideas and helps us to develop high quality products. Safety and security: We pre-prepare the tour well. We contact with your guide and driver during your trip to ensure us that they are taking good care of you. Quick reply: Our sales and tour-organizing managers have traveled their country a lot; they know every corner of Mongolia. So just, write us your interests and what you expect in Mongolia. We will customize the itinerary for you or develop a new itinerary, which suits you. To offer all the natural beauties, scenic places and cultural items of Mongolia Professional service staffs:  Guides: friendly, helpful, with good knowledge of every aspect of Mongolia. Drivers know the way perfectly (there are no road signs in Mongolian countryside, just rough roads) and handy for their car and cooks are very professional. We offer high quality service and competitive price: We work to offer our customers high quality service for a reasonable price. We support nomads and respect nature: To explore nomads’ life, possible to include visiting nomad family in everyday routine activity of the tour and organize the tour nature friendly is an inseparable part of our Company.