Eastern Mongolian Plains feature a miracle of verdant grasslands that extend as far as the eye can see as well as lakes, mineral springs and gently rolling hills. The steppes are home to rich wildlife dominated by thousands of white-tailed gazelle (Mongolian gazelle). Traditional folk songs, blacksmith and silversmith skills, and handicrafts of Dariganga people, who inhabit the southern end of the plains, are famous throughout Mongolia.

Further eastwards near Chinese border lies the giant easternmost province of Dornod Aimag. Dornod aimag is the least traveled place despite its rich historical significance and stunningly diverse natural settings. There are rugged terrains in the south-east and in the northwestern part of the province. In the in the east of the province along Chinese border, is a superb area of forests. Huh Nuur (Blue lake) is the lowest point in Mongolia, 554 meters above sea level. Beautiful rivers of Khalkha and Numrug and Buir Nuur lake all boast rich bird life. Khalkha Basin was the battlefield during World War II between Mongolian-Soviet and Japanese troops.

Dornod Aimag
The giant easternmost province of Mongolia is the least traveled place despite its rich historical significance and stunningly diverse natural settings. Dornod province represents much of Mongolia’s eastern steppe region. The steppes of Dornod stretch hundreds of kilometers including Menen steppe. There are rugged terrains in the south-east and in the northwest. In the north and in the east of the province along Chinese border, is a superb area of forests. Huh Nuur (Blue lake) is the lowest point in Mongolia, 554 meters above sea level. Beautiful rivers of Khalkha gol and Numrug and Buir Nuur lake all boast rich bird life. Khalkha Basin was the battlefield during World War II between Mongolian-Soviet and Japanese troops.

 

Mongol Dagurian Strictly Protected Area
About 280 kilometers to the east of Gurvan Nuur Spring Spa, Mongol Dugarian Protected Area is situated on the northern edge of the eastern plains. The area was protected to preserve a representative portion the eastern steppe and its flora and fauna that includes endangered species. The preserve is divided into two parts. The larger northern part is included in the international reserve that covers nearby protected areas in Russia and China, as some of the world’s rarest birds live here. 226 species of birds, including the endangered whooper swam, relict gull, mandarin duck, and great bustard inhabit the protected area. The protected area is home to 36 mammals, including roe deer, Mongolian gazelle, red fox, raccoon, and wolf. Seven fish species and three amphibians live in Ulz River and its basin.

Choibalsan Town
Choibalsan located 655 kilometers east of Ulaanbaatar, is the largest town in the eastern Mongolia. The following destinations, including three uninhabited wildlife protected areas are easily accessible from Choibalsan by jeep. The road that crosses the great eastern plains is less rugged compared to that of the other parts of the country. From Ulaanbaatar, scheduled flights are operated on regular basis.

 

Huh Nuur Depression-The Lowest Point in Mongolia
Lake Huh Nuur, which represents the lowest point (552 meters above sea level) lies not far away from the Mongol Dagurian Protected Area. Huh Nuur is a small salt water lake covering 95 square kilometers. The lake is home to rich wildlife.

Eastern Mongolian Strictly Protected Area-“Mongolia’s Serengeti”
This protected area uninhabited by human extends for over 200 kilometers along the Chinese border in the south-eastern edge of the Great Eastern Plains. Established in part to protect the habitat for the Mongolian gazelle (Procapra guttarosa), the Eastern Mongolian Protected Area covers a representative part of the last of the great plain ecosystem. The sacred Buddhist peak of Vangiin Tsagaan Uul Mountain overlooks the gently rolling steppe that is characteristic of the protected area.

Dominated by Mongolian or white gazelle, this is one of the greatest wildlife site on earth, which is sometimes referred to as “Mongolia’s Serengeti”, is home to 25 species of mammals. Between 300,000 to 1 million gazelle, one of Asia’s largest remaining wildlife populations, inhabit the steppes. Herds of up to 40,000 animals pass through the reserve during the late fall. The protected area is inhabited by 125 species of birds including the endangered great bustard and steppe eagles, upland buzzard and the rough-legged harrier.

 

Numrug Strictly Protected Area
Numrug Strictly Protected Area, covering the remote and uninhabited far eastern tip of Mongolia, lies 420 kilometers east of Choibalsan town, the capital of Dornod aimag (Eastern province). The protected area, which includes the western end of Hyanhan Mountain Range, is relatively wet compared to the rest of the eastern region.

Manchurian flora and fauna that occur nowhere else in Mongolia are found in Numrug Protected Area, which is ecologically distinct from rest of Mongolia. The protected area, with high biological diversity, is home to 44 mammals, 234 species of birds, 24 fish, 3 reptiles and 4 amphibians. Rare Ussurian moose, black-naped oriole and great black water snake and the endangered hooded crane and Houbara bustard are found here along with offer, brown bear, lynx and wild boar.

Lake Buir
The Buir Nuur Lake, the largest lake in the eastern Mongolia, lies on the way to the Numrug Protected Area. The lake stretching 40 kilometers along the Chinese border, is an important local fishing zone. Over 300 tons of fish is landed annually. The main game fish of the lake is Amur carp. Other species include mirror carp, taimen, Amur grayling, lenok, khadary, burbot, whitefish and carp.

Khalkha Gol River
The famous Khalkha Gol River starts in the Hyangan Mountain Range and empties into the Buir Nuur Lake. The basin of Khalkha river has a number of sights related to the battle between Japanese and Mongolian army during World War II.