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Attractions

Amarbayasgalant monastery (Selenge)
The main attraction of the aimag Selenge, this monastery is considered the second important in Mongolia and the most intact architectural complex in Mongolia. Amarbayasgalant was originally built between 1727 and 1737 by the Manchu emperor Yongzheng, and dedicated to the great Mongolian Buddhist and sculptor Zanabazar, whose mummified body was moved here in 1779. The monastery is in Chinese style, down to the inscriptions, symmetrical layout and imperial colour scheme. The communist found there way out here in the late 1930s, but only destroyed 10 of the 37 temples and statues. The monastery was extensively restored between 1975 and 1990 with the help of UNESCO. These days around 50 monks live in the monastery, compared to over 2000 in 1936. The temples in the monastery are normally closed, so you will have to ask the head monk to find the keys and open them up if you want to see any statues or scroll paintings.

Chuluut River and Canyon (Arkhangai)
The river streams through a 50 to 60m deep canyon. This gives a great view combined with the surrounding mountains. The river is full of fish and also great for swimming. The way down into the canyon is not always easy, but normally does the guides know exactly the right place to go down. At the end of the day can often be seen herds of goats and sheep or horses heading down on the steeper tracks to drink, which shows their abilities and gives great opportunities for pictures.

Erdene Zuu Monastery (Övörkhangai)
The Erdene Zuu Monastery was the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. In 1586 started the building, but the monastery was not totally finished till 300 years later. The building of the monastery was done with stones from the ancient capital Kharakhorum only. Around 60 temples could be found inside its walls, but the Stalinist purges destroyed many of them and left only 18 untouched. Nowadays the monastery is reopened for Buddhist monks and also for visitors. The temples, that survived the Russian and Chinese cruelties, give a good impression of how the monastery must have looked like with all the temples. The wall, that surrounds the temples, is also intact and contains 100 small temples divided over the wall. Inside the walls is it also possible to see Buddhist monks doing their daily activities, which gives an interesting idea of their live as being a monk. This monastery is said to be one of the government’s top cultural attractions and has had some good restoration.

Kharakhorum (Övörkhangai)
This is the former capital of the Mongolian empire during Chinggis Khaan. He decided to move the capital from Onon Valley in the Khentii area to Kharakhorum. The capital did not keep its name as the Mongolian capital for a long time, only 40 years. Kublai Khaan decided to move the capital to Khanbalik, nowadays known as Bejing. He decided to move the capital because of the many conflicts and dangerous arguments the capital’s location caused. After the capital change, the city was abandoned and then destroyed by Manchurian (Chinese) soldiers. All that was left, were stones, where from the Erdene Zuu monastery was built in the 16^th century.

On top of a hill just outside the city is monument for all unknown soldiers, who were serving Chinggis Khaan. This very nice monument shows the Mongolian empire during Chinggis Khaan and you can see how it became the biggest empire ever in three steps, shown by three huge world maps made of small stones.

Khorgo - Terkiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park (Arkhangai)
Terkiin Tsagaan Nuur means the Great White Lake and is located in the Khorgo area. The lake became its name because of the white looking mountains reflecting in the lake in the evening. The scenery is breathtaking and by night can millions of stars be seen. This area is the highlight of the province and also visited by locals. Almost no traffic is going through the park, which gives a very peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. The lake is formed by volcanoes and one of them can be hiked. A 10 minutes hike brings you to the top and you can look into the beautiful crater. From the top of the crater is the view extraordinary good. You can oversee the lake and the places till where the volcano spread its lava.

Other things to see in the area are big lava holes with their own story and a big rock named after its appearance, Grandfathers Rock. The lake is also known as great for fishing and during the summer you can cool down by swimming in the lake. Huge mountains surround the lake, which makes the place great for hiking as well.