The southeastern part of Mongolia is home to 220 extinct volcanoes. For locals, some of the volcanoes are holy and worshipped. Also, some legendary Mongolian men, have the same story as Robin Hood lived in Dariganga.
Things to do in southeastern Mongolia
In southeast Mongolia, 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.
Among the volcanoes, Shiliin Bogd Volcano and Altan Ovoo Volcano attract visitors
Shiliin Bogd Mountain
Locally worshipped volcano Shiliin Bogd is located 70 km east of Dariganga town in Sukhbaatar province. Almost all men in Mongolia wish to visit Mt. Shiliin Bogd as the mountain is sacred to them and believed to improve their heavenly fortune. Women are welcome to visit but are not suggested to climb. Men climb the volcano at dawn to see the sunrise and other extinguished volcanoes among the surrounding grasslands.
Altan-Ovoo Volcano
The locals in eastern Mongolia have been worshipping the stupa-topped extinct volcano Altan Ovoo over the generation.
Dariganga town is situated just by the Altan Ovoo volcano. The volcano’s first stupa was erected in 1820 though the communist destroyed the stupa in 1930. The stupa ruin was restored in 1990. The mountain has been taken under state protection since 2004 as a state-worshipped mountain. Except for the main stupa, there are some Buddhist deities, stupas, and prayer wheels on its southern slope. In the west of Altan Ovoo Mountain is Duut Lake.
Ganga Lake Nature Reserve
Ganga Lake Nature Reserve consists of 6 small freshwater lakes. 20 freshwater springs and streams feed the small, even though the largest among the other 4 sq. km Ganga Lake. Hundreds of migratory swan gathering at Ganga Nuur at the beginning of October makes the lake even more attractive and famous. Ganga Lake borders a vegetated Moltog sand dune in the south and grassy steppes in the north.
Taliin Agui / Steppe cave
Taliin Agui cave is situated 15 km northeast of Shiliin Bogd Mountain. Volcanic lava bubbles created the cave. After entering a small hole under the steppe, you will find a 250 m long cave, consisting of up to 6 m tall 3 halls.
Visitors should bring a torch, be ready for the muddy entrance, and be careful on the slippery floors.
