Khognokhaan National Park
located at 250 kilometres (155 miles) from Ulan Bator, on the road to Kharkhorin. Covering an area of 47000 hectares, this park contains many historical monuments, forests of silver birches and poplar trees, and sources. The ecosystem of this park is particularly interesting because the steppe and the taiga meet here. So, we can find a fauna and a flora that are characteristic of these two ecosystems, and also some wonderful landscapes, with the granite formations of Khögno Khan. Created in 1997 as a natural reserve, it became in 2003 a natural park, that is to say an area protected by the State for its educative, historical, cultural or environmental value. The sacred mountain of Khögno Khan is a venerated mountain located along the edge of the borders of Övörkhangai, Bulgan and Töv aimags. Venerating the mountains is a tradition that comes from prehistoric times. Today, the mountains are venerated during national or local ceremonies. Anyone visiting a sacred mountain must bring something as an offering and will probably make a wish for the attention of the Spirit of the Mountain. We can’t climb a sacred mountain without any precise and important aim. Source: www.mongolia-trips.com
located at 250 kilometres (155 miles) from Ulan Bator, on the road to Kharkhorin. Covering an area of 47000 hectares, this park contains many historical monuments, forests of silver birches and poplar trees, and sources. The ecosystem of this park is particularly interesting because the steppe and the taiga meet here. So, we can find a fauna and a flora that are characteristic of these two ecosystems, and also some wonderful landscapes, with the granite formations of Khögno Khan. Created in 1997 as a natural reserve, it became in 2003 a natural park, that is to say an area protected by the State for its educative, historical, cultural or environmental value. The sacred mountain of Khögno Khan is a venerated mountain located along the edge of the borders of Övörkhangai, Bulgan and Töv aimags. Venerating the mountains is a tradition that comes from prehistoric times. Today, the mountains are venerated during national or local ceremonies. Anyone visiting a sacred mountain must bring something as an offering and will probably make a wish for the attention of the Spirit of the Mountain. We can’t climb a sacred mountain without any precise and important aim. Source: www.mongolia-trips.com
Khamba Monastery
”The Lama Erdene Monastery”, Erdene Khambiin Khiid, is located at the foot of Khögnö Khan Mountain and dates from the 17th century. It is also sometimes called Ovgon Monastery. Zanabazar built it in honour of his teacher, the lama Erdene ; it was one of the sanctuaries he liked most. At its height, the monastery was able to house more than one thousand lamas at the same time. Today the monastery doesn’t work anymore, but once or twice a month, some lamas come and do religious ceremonies. Legend bound to Khamba Monastery: In 1688, the king Galdan Boshigt (Western Mongolia) went into a discord with Zanabazar (Central Mongolia) because he didn’t want to submit to Manchus. The argument turns into a war during which the king tries to kill Zanabazar. When he arrives at Khögnö Tarinii Khiid, he can’t find him. His rage leads him to chop the lamas’ head off. In Mongolian language, this putting to death is called ”Khögnö”, which inspired the name of the place. Source: www.mongolia-trips.com
”The Lama Erdene Monastery”, Erdene Khambiin Khiid, is located at the foot of Khögnö Khan Mountain and dates from the 17th century. It is also sometimes called Ovgon Monastery. Zanabazar built it in honour of his teacher, the lama Erdene ; it was one of the sanctuaries he liked most. At its height, the monastery was able to house more than one thousand lamas at the same time. Today the monastery doesn’t work anymore, but once or twice a month, some lamas come and do religious ceremonies. Legend bound to Khamba Monastery: In 1688, the king Galdan Boshigt (Western Mongolia) went into a discord with Zanabazar (Central Mongolia) because he didn’t want to submit to Manchus. The argument turns into a war during which the king tries to kill Zanabazar. When he arrives at Khögnö Tarinii Khiid, he can’t find him. His rage leads him to chop the lamas’ head off. In Mongolian language, this putting to death is called ”Khögnö”, which inspired the name of the place. Source: www.mongolia-trips.com
Elsen Sasarkhai Sand Dunes
Going towards West from Khögnö Khan, we can find sand dunes lost in the middle of a mountainous area. They’re called Elsen Tasarkhai, ”the sand fracture”, and extend on 80 kilometres (49,71 miles) in the South of the Khögnö Khan National Park. These dunes run along the Tarna River that is borded with willow trees. They are also called Mongol Els, ”Mongolian sand”, or Khögnö Tarniin Els. Source: www.mongolia-trips.com
Going towards West from Khögnö Khan, we can find sand dunes lost in the middle of a mountainous area. They’re called Elsen Tasarkhai, ”the sand fracture”, and extend on 80 kilometres (49,71 miles) in the South of the Khögnö Khan National Park. These dunes run along the Tarna River that is borded with willow trees. They are also called Mongol Els, ”Mongolian sand”, or Khögnö Tarniin Els. Source: www.mongolia-trips.com
Ger Camp