Wonders in the Centre

Khustai National Park/Takhi horses (PrzevalskiI horses) 
Przewalski horses are the only wild horse to survive in modern times. The species were returned to Mongolia from world zoos and reserves within Hustai National Park in 100 km west of Ulaanbaatar. Takhi, like zebra and the extinct tarpan are a wild species and have never been domesticated or ridden. They are free ranging through mountains in day time and come down from mountain to drink water in evening time. The best time of the day for game viewing is the early morning and early evening. Hustai national park is unique place where most of Takhi in the world. First time 15 takhi horses returned to their native land Mongolia from Holland in 1990 and now there are about 250. Hustain Nuruu has good vegetation, springs, birch forest and rocks which are suitable for many wild animals including 46 species of mammals and 172 species of birds.

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Kharkhorin and Erdenezuu monastery
Kharkhorin was the formerly great capital city built by Ogodei Khan in 1235. The city was strategically located at the crossroads of traditional routes, creating a staging post for migrating nomads and merchants caravans. Foreign envoys and prominent clerics travelled to this city for an audience with Mongol khan.Far after when the Hubilai Khaan moved t the capital to Beijing in 1264, Kharkhorin was raised to the ground by Manchu soldiers. However the bricks and stones from the ruins of this ancient city were used to build the Erdene Zuu monastery nearby, so in that way the old city lives on till today.

Erdenezuu monastery: The first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, Eedenezuu was established on the ruin of ancient Kharkhorin city in 1586 by Avtai Sain khan, probably the most ancient surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. The monastery located Kharkhorin soum, Uvurkhangai province. It is surrounded by fortress wall sized 420m each side, with 108 stupas. In 1792, it housed 62 temples, Mongolian lords tried to have own named temple inside of wall of monastery because it means they have high reputation. Also in 1658, the biggest ger consists of 35 walls, 1700 long pole and could contain 200 people, was built up at the middle space of monastery wall. During the communist era this monastery nearly destroyed, nowadays it contains 3 main temples, other some smaller temples, 2 tombs which were dedicated to Avtai sain Khan and his son Tusheet khan Gombodorj and the biggest stupa in Mongolia named “Golden stupa”. The temples became museums in 1947 because Erdene Zuu was allowed to exist as a museum only; the only functioning monastery in Mongolia was Gandantegchinlen Khiid Monastery in the capital, Ulaanbaatar. However, after the fall of Communism in Mongolia in 1990, the monastery was turned over to the lamas and Erdene Zuu again became a place of worship. 

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Khorgiin Togoo volcano and Terkhiin tsagaan lake
Located in Tariat soum, Arkhangai province. About origin of fresh watered Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, flowing of north and south Terkh Rivers locked by lava flow from a volcanic eruption. The length of lake is 16 km; width is 6 km, 20m deep, 2060 m above sea level and occupied 61 sq.km. The biggest river which is one of the 10 rivers, flow into lake is Terkh river. Also only one river flows from the lake is Suman River. Suman means “Arrow” because this river flows through the lake like an arrow. There is a small island at the middle of the lake, birds make their nest and lay eggs. About Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, there is interesting story.

An ancient time, a mother and son were living this land and they carried their drink water from small fountain from the deep of ground. After they take some water they have to bung it. But one day son went to this fountain to take drink water but he forgot to bung it after take and he slept next to the fountain. Later some minutes this some area covered by huge water and son’s mother worried about his son and she take top of mountain named “Uran mandal”, bung the fountain. Since that time this lake is exist here. The top of “Uran mandal” mountain is Small Island that mentioned above.

Khorgiin Togoo volcano, located on the bank of Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, 180 km from center of Arkhangai province. The volcano erupted to encompass huge of sq.km area 8 thousand years ago. Around the volcano there many cauldron shaped places to hide so Khorgiin togoo name is connected to these places. Also there are some interesting places such as ice cave, “Shar nokhoin tam” (hell of yellow dog) and “Cave of a person” around the volcano. 50 sq.km of this area preserved in 1965. 

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Tovkhon Monastery
The excellent location of Tovkhon temple is short distance of 70 kms from KharKhorin. If you visit to Khar Khorin, it is recommended to explore the Tovkhon temple in impressive beautiful mountainous area. Zanabazar, who was the first leader of Buddhism, located the place. It was built in 1653, believers who gathered in Erdenezuu monastery decided to built a special Monastery for Zanabazar. Following this decision the Monastery Tuvkhun was built at Shireet Ulaan, the most beautiful scenery in Khangai Mountains and he called it Land of Happy Solitude. 

The monastery located in the dense forested and picturesque mountain Shijvee at an elevation of 200 m above sea level. There are several temples, a small cave, where he could do meditation, another cave called Mother belly. If someone entered and get out from this cave, there is hope of having their faults washed away in the next rebirth. The first temple of Tuvkhun monastery was built in 1654. Researchers have determined that this first temple was the meditaion studio og Undur Gegeen Zanabazar. The monastery was restored in 1760 and 1786. One undamaged temple and foundations of buildings, wooden floors, ruins of some temples were protected by the Ovorkhangai province in 1971 and by the State in 1994. A restoration design for the undamaged temple was made in 1992. Hiking to rocky hills and looking at the stunning beauty of wild nature in surrounding areas are the excellent fun, which makes you refreshed and enthusiastic.

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Orkhon waterfall
Generally, Orkhon River and its water basin valley are considered the cradle land of steppe nomads. Apart from the springs at Khujirt, the main attraction in the area is the Orkhon waterfall. The Orkhon waterfall is situated in the historically significant Orkhon Valley; Orkhon River flows 1120km to the North before it joins the Selenge River. Also this waterfall is called Ulaan Tsutgalan, formed by volcanic eruptions about 20.000 years ago, the waterfall cascades from a height of 20m. It is scenic, tranquil spot and surrounding nature is undisturbed, as such there are opportunities for good walking and riding in the area. The Orkhon river is pristine drink water river and also it is teemed with a lot species fish such as taimen, lenok and so on. These days yak breeder nomads are living in near the waterfall.

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