Photos of Arkhangai Province, Mongolia

The Arkhangai (= Northern Khangai) province is located just west of the country’s centre, on the northern slopes of the Khangai Mountains that rise to a height of 3,300 metres. It is a very scenic place with mountains, forests, and steppe and covers 55,313.82 km², with about 90,000 inhabitants.

AArkhangai’s capital is Tsetserleg that grew around its Buddhist temple complex of Zayain Gegenii Süm, first built in 1586 and expanded in 1679 when it had five temples and up to 1000 monks. It wasn’t destroyed during the Stalinist purges in the 1930s because it already had become a museum; it is a marvellous sight.

The natural highlight of Arkhangai aimag is Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park, with its freshwater lake Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur, the Great White Lake. It is at 2,060 metres above sea level, thus called because it is covered in ice for a good part of the year. There are places to camp, and a local family has gers where travellers can stay and eat with the family.

Near the village of Tariat is the Khorgoo Uul volcano, which can be easily climbed to view the crater and panoramas of the surroundings. Tariat also has a guest house and even a hotel. About 50 kilometres from Tariat is the impressive Chuluut river gorge.