Vast-open grassy steppes dominate in the eastern part of Mongolia. Even you drive there from early morning until late evening, the main view will see the vast-open grassy steppes edge with the horizon. The eastern steppes are the last untouched grassland on the earth and home to the white-tailed gazelles.
The remote eastern steppes border with the Khentii Mountain Range in the northeast, where Genghis Khaan was born and grown. Many important historical events related to Genghis Khaan took place in Khentii. Khentii Mountains are one of the most beautiful areas with its crystal clear rivers, streams, small and big lakes, forested mountains, and lush green flower-carpeted valleys. The mountains have been keeping many historical remnants and ancients monasteries. The southeastern region is a grassland dotted with over 220 extinct volcanoes. Some of the volcanoes worshiped by Mongolians as they are considered holy for the locals.
Baldan Bereeven Monastery is also known as the Baldan Drepung Monastery. The monastery foundation started in 1777 after Mongolian monk Tsevendorj initiated to build a small wooden temple and created stone carving of Manzushir Buddha, a Bodhisat of wisdom.
The Monastery served as the main religious center in Eastern Mongolia, housed by 5000-8000 monks, 4 religious institutions, and daily active 20 temples. Thus, the monastery was one of the 4 large monasteries in Mongolian in the 19th century. There were numerous gers to reside the thousands of monks and a nunnery built on the far side of the mountain valley.
The 21 km by 40 km freshwater Buir Lake is the 5th largest lake in Mongolia covering 615 sq.km surface area. The lake’s southeastern sandy beach and relatively shallow (6-16 m on average) warm water attracts domestic travelers in summer.
The lake has 34 species of fishes such as amur carp, grayling, lenok, mirror carp, golden carp, silver carp, and burbot among others. Of 12 species have hunting importance. On its eastern tip, you will find a fishing farm established in 1930.
After tons of research and discussion, Deluun Boldog near the confluence of the Onon and Balj Rivers in present-day Dadal Soum of Khentii province was agreed as the Genghis Khan’s Birth Place. Temuujin, a childhood name of Genghis Khan born at Deluun Boldog in 1162.
This scenic and serene foresty area is rich in wildlife, lakes, rivers, and springs. You will see many local visitors ceremonially climbing and paying respect at the cairn on the top of Deluun Boldog Hill.
The compound consists of a statue of Janraisag/Avalokitesvara Buddha, 12 stupas, and 20 god deities framed by 220*97 m and 113*63m double rectangular stone enclosures.
Among the statues, 8 handed protective deity of Janraisag is spectacular as it is one of the largest in Mongolia, reaches 30 meters in height, lying statue on a 35° slope, which built by donations of monks and the public.
There are several marks and war memorials erected in honor of Mongolian and Russian soldiers who died in the battle against Japan in 1939. It is known as the Khalkhiin Gol monuments, named after the Khalkh River runs through the site.
The freshwater Lake Khokh Nuur consists of two small interlinked lakes at the foot of heart Shaped Khar Zurkh Mountain. So that, the lake is called “Khar Zurkhnii Khokh Nuur.”
The lake Khokh Nuur, Khark Zurkh Mountain, and Sengur River located in the same area are all mentioned in the chronicle book.
469928 ha grassy steppe is the part of the earth’s last grasslands and is the habitat of white-tailed gazelles. The nature reserve has taken under state protection since 1998.
Key conservation goals are providing suitable habitat for 50,000 white-tailed gazelles, doubling the number of active marmot colonies, establishing a viable wolf population, protect the endemic and migratory bird species at the small lakes and lagoons.
The southeastern part of Mongolia is called Dariganga, home to 220 extinct volcanoes. Locals consider some of the volcanoes holy and worship. Also, some legendary Mongolian men, they have the same story as Robin Hood lived in Dariganga. In the area, you can visit Lhachinvandad Nature Reserve to see herds of deer and gazelles, see the eastern tip of the Gobi desert, grasslands, and balbal/man stones, large and small lakes that are home to water birds.
Uglugch Wall or Uglugciin Kherem/Oglogchiin Kherem is 2.5-3 meters high, 2.5 meters wide, approximately 3km long fortress of neatly placed stone propped up against cliffs of pine and larch trees covered picturesque Daichen Mountain.