When booking a tour to Mongolia, you may notice that there’s often a national park or two included in almost all itineraries; here’s our summation of the Mongolian National Parks.
You might be asking yourself: “Mongolia is a giant untouched wilderness surely the whole country is a national park?”
If only it were so; a country rich in mineral deposits and a growing population, cities are expanding, and mining companies are digging into the land. But it’s not all bad news, Mongolia is home to 29 protected national parks and in this blog, we will run through each of the Mongolian National Parks and give a little info on each.
Altai Tavan Bogd (The Altai Five Saints) | Bayan-Ölgii Province
Designated a National Park in 1996.
Located in Mongolia’s far west amidst the Altai Mountains, this national park borders Russia and China.
The dwelling of Kazakh eagle hunters who make their homes amongst the majestic snowcapped mountains, this park is a must for those seeking a real adventure.
Altai Tavan Bogd is also home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Petroglyphic Complexes of the Mongolian Altai as well as pristine lakes, rivers, and high alpine forests.
Gobi Gurvansaikhan (Gobi Three Beauties) | South Gobi Province
Designated a National Park in 1993.
Gobi Gurvansaikhan is named after three small mountain ranges located within its borders; at almost 27,000 square kilometres, Gobi Gurvansaikhan is the largest national park in Mongolia.
As well as being the biggest, Gurvansaikhan is probably one of the most visited by overseas tourists since it contains many of the highlights of the Gobi Desert – Khongoryn Els (Singing Dunes) and Yolyn Am (Eagle Valley) to name but two.
Gorkhi-Terelj | Töv Province
Designated a National Park in 1993.
Terelj National Park is considered by many to be one of the most picturesque places in Mongolia. Terelj National Park is located just 37 km east of the nation’s capital, Ulaanbaatar meaning that the park can become quite busy; over recent years, there has been a large amount of development within the valley running through the central area.
Terelj National Park’s sacrificial area containing modern ger camps and hotels hasn’t permeated too deeply into the surrounding hills, which is where the park makes its true presence known, and where its true beauty shines through.
The park can be best characterized by its giant granite outcrops emerging from tree-lined mountains. Attractions here include Khagiin Khar Glacial Lake, Yestii Hot Water Springs and the oddly named Turtle Rock (because it’s a rock that looks like a turtle).
Khustain Nuruu (Birch Mountains) | Töv Province
Designated a National Park in 1993.
Hustai National Park is located 70 km west of Ulaanbaatar; the park is a mix of steppe and mountain terrain, all in very close proximity fed by the mighty Tuul river.
Hustai National Park is another of Mongolia’s national parks with a UNESCO listing. However, it is more famed as the region where the Przewalski’s Horse was reintroduced after its extinction in the wild. Not overdeveloped and a great visit still within easy reach of Ulaanbaatar.
Lake Khövsgöl | Khövsgöl Province
Designated a National Park in 1992.
Khövsgöl Lake National Park incorporates Mongolia’s largest freshwater lake located in the far north of Mongolia, close to the Russian border.
As well as taking its waters from Lake Baikal in Russia, Lake Khovsgul is often referred to as the younger sister of her Russian counterpart. The national park also incorporates the tundra forests and mountains crowding the shores of this beautiful lake.
No matter the time of year, a visit to Khövsgöl Lake is always rewarding; glimpsing its frozen waters in the winter or exploring its reindeer-inhabited forests in the summer.
Khyargas Nuur | Khovd Province
Designated a National Park in 1997.
Khyargas Nuur is a large saltwater lake in western Mongolia’s Great Lakes Basin area.
The lake is surrounded by desert and low scrub with a mixed shoreline incorporating sandy beaches and rocky coasts; it has the appearance of an inland sea. For many Mongolians, Khyargas lake is an excellent substitution for an ocean in this landlocked country, making this protected area a popular destination in the summer months for locals and foreigners alike.
Tarvagatai Nuruu | Zavkhan Province
Designated a National Park in 2000.
Tarvagatai Nuruu National Park may be difficult to reach although it boasts vast open steppe, tree-lined valleys, mountains, lakes, and even deserts.
The national park protects a transition zone between the semi-arid steppe to the south and coniferous forests on the northern slope of the Khangai Mountains. It may be tricky to reach but worth visiting to experience some of Mongolia’s true untouched beauty and diversity.
Tsambagarav Uul | Bayan-Ölgii Province
Designated a National Park in 2000.
Tsambagarav Uul National Park is home to the double-peaked 4,193-metre high Mt Tsambagarav.
Located amongst the Altai Mountains between Hovd and Bayan Ulgii, the national park features glaciers, rocky gorges, and glacial lakes. The lush green meadows surrounding the mountain are home to Mongolian nomads who make their dwellings within sight of the eternally snow-capped mountain.
A fantastic area to visit well off of the beaten track, although when preparing your journey, do expect snow year-round.
Bulgan Gol-Ikh Ongog | Bayan-Ölgii Province
Designated a National Park in 2011.
The Bulgan River National Park focuses on the lower reaches of the Bulgan river before it flows out of Mongolia and into China.
As the river slows and broadens, it flows into various streams, pools and lakes, providing the perfect wetland for migratory birds passing through the region.
Chigertein Golin Ai Sav | Bayan-Ölgii Province
Designated a National Park in 2012.
Chigertey River Valley is a remote 20-mile glacial valley west of the Kazakh village of Delüünin within the Altai mountains. Only a stone’s throw from the Chinese border, this hidden valley encompasses larch forests, deep scrub, and crystal clear glacial rivers protected by high snow-capped mountains.
Dariganga | Sükhbaatar Province
Designated a National Park in 2004.
The park is on the Dariganga Plateau in southeastern Mongolia. Both Gobi Desert and steppe habitats are featured around Ganga Lake. The site is a Ramsar Convention wetland of international importance, supporting breeding and migratory waterbirds such as the vulnerable white-naped crane and the vulnerable great bustard.
Har Us Nuur | Khovd Province
Designated a National Park in 1997.
Har Us Nuur is a national park located in the province of Khovd and close to the city of Khovd; not only does this park offer protection to lake Har Us (Black-Aqua Lake) but also two other lakes (Khar Lake and Dörgön Lake) and their surrounding habitat.
The lakes’ habitat is a mixture of marshland and reed beds, offering a valuable habitat to over two hundred species of birds and even more migratory species.
Ikh Bogd Uul (Great Saint) | Bayankhongor Province
Designated a National Park in 2008.
Ikh Bogd (Great Saint) is the highest mountain in the Altai-Gobi Mountains, located in the Southeast area of the range.
The differing altitude’s of this mountain offers a mix of habitats from alpine meadows to mountain steppe in the higher and mid-range elevation’s whilst the lower climes to the north and south are home to semi-arid deserts.
Khangai Nuruu | Arkhangai Province
Designated a National Park in 1996.
The Khangai Nuruu National Park stretches across the central Khangai Mountain range and incorporates the upper reaches of the Orkhon River valley.
This large park incorporates a huge variety of habitat types within its boundaries, from the steppe, alpine meadows and diverse forests.
Khan-Khokhi Khyargas Mountain | Uvs Province
Designated a National Park in 2000.
The Khan-Khokhi Mountain National Park is separate from that of Khyargas Nuur National park, although the two shoulder up to each other.
The Khan-Khokhi Khyargas Mountain is a western extension of the Khangai Mountain range. The mountain range offers a mix of terrain depending on what side of the range is visited.
The northern side’s dense mountain forests are populated with Siberian larch and pine, whilst the southern slopes are arider, and the desert environment is home to corresponding vegetation.
Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur | Arkhangai Province
Designated a National Park in 1965.
The Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur Park is named after its resident dormant volcano, Khorgo, and crystaline lake, Terkhiin Tsagaan. The region is a big draw for visitors with its fresh mountain air, pure water lakes, and hikes up to the summit of the volcano.
Mongol Els | Zavkhan Province
Designated a National Park in 2010.
With dunes stretching over 300 km, Mongol Els Dunes are some of the most northerly in the world. Set against lakes and mountains, this protected area of sand couldn’t be any more picturesque, but it’s the area’s unique habitat that affords it its nationally protected status.
Munkhkhairkhan | Bayan-Ölgii Province
Designated a National Park in 2011.
Munkhkhairkhan National Park is another to offer protection to a mountain and the area surrounding it; this mountain Mönkhkhairkhan Mountain is another that marks the border between Bayan-Ölgii Province and Khovd Province.
Mönkhkhairkhan Mountain is a year-round snow-capped marvel with a peak named after Mongolia’s red hero, Damdin Sükhbaatar. As with many mountains, its mixture of habitats and the area’s biodiversity is a reason for its protection.
Myangan-Ugalzat | Khovd Province
Designated a National Park in 2011.
Myangan-Ugalzat National Park protects an area of high desert steppe within the Mongol Altai Mountains in western Mongolia.
Within this region are found a large number of Altai Argali and other endangered species. To protect these species, entrance to the park is strictly controlled, and government permission is required before entry.
Noyon Khangai | Arkhangai Province
Designated a National Park in 1998.
The Noyon Khangai National Park is an area of unspoiled natural beauty within the greater Khangai Mountain range.
Amongst the typical mountainous terrain, the park’s borders incorporate rivers, freshwater lakes and geothermal hot springs. Noyon Khangai National Park is an important park for birdlife and attracts ornithologists from across the globe.
Onon-Balj | Khentii Province
Designated a National Park in 2000.
The Onon-Balj national park covers two parts of the Onon River and Balj River before the later flows into Russia. The area features many rivers, lakes, and desert steppe terrain. A place of high biodiversity, offering habitat to a wide variety of flora and fauna, this park is also important to most Mongolian’s due to its historical association with Genghis Khan.
Orkhon Valley | Övörkhangai Province
Designated a National Park in 2006.
The Orkhon River Valley runs east from the Khangai Mountains, creating lush pasturelands, feeding woodland and steppe. Within the Orkhon Valley, Mongolia’s former capital Kharkhorum was constructed in the 13th century.
Not just a National Park for its biodiversity, but also for the number of historical sites located around the river region; for many, it is one of the many crossroads of Mongolian civilization.
Siilxem Nuruu | Bayan-Ölgii Province
Designated a National Park in 2000.
Located to the North of Bayan-Ölgii Province, Siilxem Nuruu/ Siihemiin Nuuru is a large national park covering a mountainous area. Thepark is an important breeding area for large mammals, most notably the Argali sheep, Wolves and snow leopards.
Tengis-Shishged | Khövsgöl Province
Designated a National Park in 2000.
A tightly controlled national park in the North of Mongolia, this park covers another river valley at its core, the lower Shishged River, as it flows west from the Darkhad Valley further to the north.
Tengis-Shishged is a remote national park home to high peaks steep-sided valleys which open up to broad glaciated dales. The region not only affords protection to the flora and fauna of the area but also the indigenous Dukha people, a race of reindeer herders.
Tujiin Nars | Selenge Province
Designated a National Park in 2002.
Tujiin Nars National Park is a crucial pine forest reserve; much of the region was damaged by illegal deforestation in the 1990s.
Since being afforded national park protection, much of the area is subject to an extensive reforestation project, and the future of this reserve is looking good.
Ulaagchini Khar Nuur | Zavkhan Province
Designated a National Park in 2010.
Within the borders of Ulaagchini Khar Nuur National Park fall two significant freshwater lakes, Bayan Lake to the west and Ulaagchin Khar Lake further east.
This region experiences a typical steppe climate, and the land that borders the lake is a real patchwork of terrain from mountains, dunes and steppe. The lakes are essential to the surrounding ecosystem and have been visited by many rare waterbirds.
Undurkhaan Uul | Khentii Province
Designated a National Park in 2012.
This small mountainous national park found in Mongolia’s east covers the Undurkhaan Uul Mountain. At only 1,660 metres above sea level, it is far from the highest mountain in Mongolia, but it is the highest point in this remote region of steepe, making the mountain a critical biosphere.
Khugnu-Tarna | Bulgan Province
Designated a National Park in 2003.
At the heart of Khugnu-Tarna NationalPark lies Khogno Khan Mountain, 60 km from the countries ancient capital; this national park is a great place to stop when journeying through central Mongolia.
As well as monastic ruins from the 17th century and impressive granite features, the park is of interest as it is here that the ecosystems of the steppe and taiga meet, creating an area rich in biodiversity.
Zag Baidragiin Goliin Ekhen Sav | Bayankhongor Province
Designated a National Park in 2012.
Zag Baidragiin Goliin Ekhen Sav is a national park named after the two rivers that fall within its protection. The Baidrag River and Zag flow south from the Khangai Mountains in central Mongolia, creating an important wetland and medow habit.