The Khan Hentii Mountain range boasts largest uninhabited land of the country despite its proximity to the capital city of Mongolia. Hentii, one of the three great ranges starts from just east of Ulaanbaatar and stretches to the great eastern plains. There are several peaks that rise above 2,500 meters above sea level, with the highest one being Asralt Khairkhan (2,800 meters). Being the ancestral home Chinggis Khaan, the Hentii Mountain Range encompasses many places that are related to the life of the great khaan.
Khan Hentii Protected Area occupying much of the region covers over 1,2 million hectares of the rugged Hentii Mountains, bordered with Terelj National to the west. Covered by forests, wetlands, alpine tundra, and permanent snow and ice fields, the core of this remote wilderness area is totally uninhabited and accessible only by foot or horseback. Three large rivers – the Tuul, Onon and the Herlen have their sources from numerous springs at Hentii range. Numerous therapeutic hot springs, used for medicinal purposes, lie in this region. The Hentii range is home to over 1,150 species of plant, more then fifty species of mammals, including endangered musk dear and moose, brown beer, wolf, lynx, fox, badger, wolverine, weasel, sable, roe deer and elk. 253 species of birds, including whooper swans, spoonbills, great while egrets and raptors inhabit this area.
Archaeologists have discovered more than 800 ancient burial sites near Hentii Kahn mountain. A ruined monastery, Gunjiin Sum, is located within the Khan Hentii Protected Area. Hentii region is ideal destination for ecological and adventurous journeys. Dense forests, numerous streams and wetlands only accessible for adventurers, horse riders and trekkers.
Terelj National Park Located about 60 kilometers north east of Ulaanbaatar and stretches to the east, Gorkhi Terelj National Park (Terelj) is one of Mongolia’s most popular destinations. Gorkhi Terelj National Park is the eastern tip of Khan Hentii mountain range and borders the Khan Hentii Strictly Protected Area. Terelj is famous for its beautiful natural scenery, amazing rock formations. The Turtle Rock created by nature, Ariyabala Meditation Temple are the key attractions. There are a number of tourist accommodations, some of which stay open year-round, and the area offers excellent hiking, camping, rock climbing, horse riding opportunities, rafting through the Tuul river and excellent mountain biking trails.
Terelj has a dazzling variety of wildflowers and edelweiss is the most common. This flower, symbol of eternity for Mongolians, is used to light the first fire of a newly-wed couple.
Onon River and Its Basin The Onon River and its basin are closely connected with a number of important events of ancient and medieval history of the Mongols and Chinggis Khaan, the greatest figure in the whole history of nomads who grew from humble childhood to the Khaan or the Emperor or the largest empire on earth that have ever existed. The 12th century, the period of Temuujin’s (his real name, Chinggis is a title given to Temuujin when he was proclaimed as the Khaan of Mongolian Empire) is best described by struggle among nomads tribes. The Onon rises on the northern slope of the Khan Hentii Range and flows north east to join the Amur River before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. The Onon River abounds in various fish species. Amur catfish, umber, taimen, lenok, Amur chub, Amur graying amd many other species inhabit the river and rare birds, including white-naped crane and swan goose are found here.
Hentii Aimag Hentii Aimag, which is one of three eastern provinces of Mongolia is the birthplace of Chinggis Khaan, the most outstanding leader in the history of all Mongolians. There are dozens of sights related to the history Chinggis Khaan and his Great Mongol Empire. Apart from being historically significant the area boasts huge land of untamed wilderness in Khan Hentii Protected Area to the north. The southern part of the prvinceis mostly grassy steppe that rolls right towards the western reaches of eastern plains and northern tip of Gobi.
Huduu Aral and The Ruins of Chinggis Khaan’s Palace The historical place of Huduu Aral is 13 kilometers to the southeast of the Khan Hentii Protected Area. Aurug or Palace is situated in the Huduu Aral plain that stretches for 30 kilometers in length and 20 kilometers in width on the bank of the Herlen River. In 1240, “The Secret History of the Mongols” - the most important literary and historical work of Mongols from the ancient times-was completed at Aurug, where the Palace of Chinggis Khaan was. The 750th anniversary of this great historical work was held at Huduu Aral in 1990, and a monument was erected to honor the great emperor. Numerous ancient burials are found in this area.
Herlen River The Herlen River, one of the three major river systems with the their head waters spring from the Khan Hentii Range, flows east to empty into the Dalai Nuur Lake in China, across the eastern Mongolian plains. The river inhabited by numerous species of fish, including Amur catfish, umber, taimen, lenok, Amur chub, mirror carp, golden carp and such migratory birds as, goose and duck.
Gurvan Nuur Mineral Spring Near the northeastern border of the country, the famous Gurvan Nuur mineral spa is located. The spring has long been used for medicine as its mineral water contains sulphur, sodium, potassium, and magnesium. There are excellent trekking and horse riding opportunities in the surrounding area.
Located about 60 kilometers north east of Ulaanbaatar and stretches to the east, Gorkhi Terelj National Park (Terelj) is one of Mongolia’s most popular destinations. Gorkhi Terelj National Park is the eastern tip of Khan Hentii mountain range and borders the Khan Hentii Strictly Protected Area. Terelj is famous for its beautiful natural scenery, amazing rock formations. The Turtle Rock created by nature, Ariyabala Meditation Temple are the key attractions. There are a number of tourist accommodations, some of which stay open year-round, and the area offers excellent hiking, camping, rock climbing, horse riding opportunities, rafting through the Tuul river and excellent mountain biking trails.
The Onon River and its basin are closely connected with a number of important events of ancient and medieval history of the Mongols and Chinggis Khaan, the greatest figure in the whole history of nomads who grew from humble childhood to the Khaan or the Emperor or the largest empire on earth that have ever existed. The 12th century, the period of Temuujin’s (his real name, Chinggis is a title given to Temuujin when he was proclaimed as the Khaan of Mongolian Empire) is best described by struggle among nomads tribes. The Onon rises on the northern slope of the Khan Hentii Range and flows north east to join the Amur River before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. The Onon River abounds in various fish species. Amur catfish, umber, taimen, lenok, Amur chub, Amur graying amd many other species inhabit the river and rare birds, including white-naped crane and swan goose are found here.
Hentii Aimag, which is one of three eastern provinces of Mongolia is the birthplace of Chinggis Khaan, the most outstanding leader in the history of all Mongolians. There are dozens of sights related to the history Chinggis Khaan and his Great Mongol Empire. Apart from being historically significant the area boasts huge land of untamed wilderness in Khan Hentii Protected Area to the north. The southern part of the prvinceis mostly grassy steppe that rolls right towards the western reaches of eastern plains and northern tip of Gobi.
The historical place of Huduu Aral is 13 kilometers to the southeast of the Khan Hentii Protected Area. Aurug or Palace is situated in the Huduu Aral plain that stretches for 30 kilometers in length and 20 kilometers in width on the bank of the Herlen River. In 1240, “The Secret History of the Mongols” - the most important literary and historical work of Mongols from the ancient times-was completed at Aurug, where the Palace of Chinggis Khaan was. The 750th anniversary of this great historical work was held at Huduu Aral in 1990, and a monument was erected to honor the great emperor. Numerous ancient burials are found in this area.
The Herlen River, one of the three major river systems with the their head waters spring from the Khan Hentii Range, flows east to empty into the Dalai Nuur Lake in China, across the eastern Mongolian plains. The river inhabited by numerous species of fish, including Amur catfish, umber, taimen, lenok, Amur chub, mirror carp, golden carp and such migratory birds as, goose and duck.
Near the northeastern border of the country, the famous Gurvan Nuur mineral spa is located. The spring has long been used for medicine as its mineral water contains sulphur, sodium, potassium, and magnesium. There are excellent trekking and horse riding opportunities in the surrounding area.
