The Gobi desert, the habitat of the rarest animals and a unique natural landscape. Its desert and semi-desert ecosystems have hardly change in many years. The Gobi is often imagined to be a place of unbearable heat and lifeless sand dunes; similar to the inhospitable Sahara desert, but the reality is quite the reverse. The Gobi has high mountains, springs, forests, sands, steppes and a rich animal kingdom.

Occupying 30 per cent of the country’s vast territory and stretching from the east to the west through the southern part of Mongolia, it is rich in wildlife. Its numerous rare animal species include argali sheep, ibex, snow leopard, lynx, wild ass, gazelles, saiga, wild Bactrian camel and Gobi bear, just to name a few. Its plant kingdom comprises over 400 species including many valuable medicinal, folder and decorative plants. The sight of an ancient sea, the region has been host to countless fossil discoveries.

The first fossilized dinosaur eggs were discovered by famous American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews in the 1920’s in the area known as the Flaming Cliffs (Bayanzag). Famous sand dunes including Hongoriin els, Moltsog els and Burdene Bulag are some of the major attractions. The green canyon at Yoliin Am or Eagle Valley in Gobi Gurvan Saikhan national park nestled between high rock walls is interesting variation for Gobi ecology.

South Gobi Aimag
The center of South Gobi aimag Dalanzadgad is a starting point for trips to numerous destinations in the southern Gobi desert, including the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, Eagle valley, Bayanzag flaming cliffs, Hongor els sand dunes, Borzongiin Gobi in the southern tip of the Mongolian territory

The Eagle Valley
One of the best-known travel destinations in the Southern Gobi is Yoliin Am canyon, known as Eagle Valley. But in fact, Yol means Lammergeier, one of the most endangered bird species of prey. Through the canyon, which is nestled between ridges of Zuun Saikhan Uul mountain, part of the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, small river flows. Sheltered by high cliff walls on both sides of the canyon, thick ice gorges remain frozen even on summer’s hottest days.

 

Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park
Situated to the west of Dalanzadgad town, Gobi Gurvansaikhan (meaning “Three Beautifies of the Gobi”) park encompasses the series of ridges and valleys that make up the eastern end of the Gobi Altai Mountains. Surrounded by low plains, the mountains rise to 2200-2600 meters above sea level, and include the “Three Beauties” (three adjacent ridges named East, Middle, and the West Beauty), Zuulun, Sevrei, Gilbent, and Nemegt ridges. The park, which extends for more than 380 kilometers from west to east, has extremely varied landscape with rocky and sandy desert plains, precipitous cliffs and ravines, salt pans and oases. Gurvan Saikhan includes the highest diversity of plant and animal life in the Gobi Altai with over 620 species of flowering plants and all 52 species of mammals that are found in the Gobi desert region.

The Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National park features some of the most popular tourists destinations, including the picturesque gorge of Eagle valley, and the Singing Sands, a spectacular sea of sand dunes bordered by red sandstone formations, an oasis and a saxaul forest. The Nemegt, Hermen tsav, and Bayanzag flaming cliffs, the sites of numerous important dinosaur fossil discoveries, also lie within the park.

 

Bayanzag – The Flaming Cliffs
First discovered by Roy Chapman Andrews, famous American explorer in the 1920, flaming cliffs of Bayanzag are an important site for both archeological and paleonthological finds. Complete dinosaur skeletons, including One-horned dinosaur (protocertops) and Egg-thief (Oviraptor) and numerous eggs were excavated in ravines between the red flaming cliffs, which look like fire in the middle of the desert from distance.

Hongor Els sand dunes, the largest sea of sand stretch for 180 kilometers. The widths of the sand stretch exceed several miles and highest peaks tower up to over 250 feet. At the northern edge of the dunes one bank of Hongoriin gol river, there is an oasis, which is rich in plantation and supports drinking water of animal species in the region.

East Gobi
The eastern part of the Gobi has an open landscape of arid grasslands prone to episodes of severe drought and dust storms. Except from its numerous sandy desert, there are many small lakes, streams and springs in the East Gobi.

The East Gobi region is easily accessible by railway. The main border port of Zamiin Uud in the southern frontier of the country is located here. East Gobi desert also encompasses several historical sites including Hamariin Hiid monastery, where 19th century great poet playwright Damzabrabja staged his famous “Saran Huhuu” in 1830. Burdene Bulag sand dunes are some of the largest and most extensive dunes in the Gobi.