© Lonely Planet Publications 101 Central Mongolia Roll out of Ulaanbaatar in a Russian jeep and you’ll only need to put a hill or two between yourself and the city before the vast steppes of cental Mongolia begin to unfold before your eyes. Verdant swaths of empty landscapes are sprinkled with tiny gers stretching to CENTRAL MONGOLIA the horizon while magical light plays through clouds and across the valleys. But central Mongolia offers more than steppes. Landscapes are broken by the forested hillsides of the Khan Khentii range, meandering rivers such as the Tuul and lunar-like lava fields spilling across central Arkhangai. The silhouette of a lone horseman on a hill or camels caravanning in the distance completes every perfect day. The rivers and back trails of Gorkhi-Terelj National Park beckon the outdoor enthusiast. At Khustain National Park you can break out the binoculars and spot the reintroduced takhi horse. Alternatively, set out from Ulaanbaatar on foot, climb the holy Bogdkhan Uul to the south of the city, and camp out by Mandshir Khiid. Travelling by horse is another great way to get around the region. Travellers with more time on their hands can spend weeks exploring the ancient sites and remote areas of the mighty Khangai and its surrounding plains. Central Mongolia’s aimags (provinces), Töv, Arkhangai and Övörkhangai, are the most vis- ited areas in the countryside. The roads and transport are far better here than in the rest of Mongolia, and there is plenty to see, including ancient monasteries, gorgeous lakes and many national parks. The people, mostly comprising the Khalkh majority, are accustomed to foreign- ers, and you can expect somewhat better services than in other parts of the country. HIGHLIGHTS Saddle up and go on a horse trek to the beautiful but remote Naiman Nuur Nature Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur Gorkhi-Terelj Reserve ( p119 ) National Park Pedal your way over the hills and through Tövkhön Khiid Khustain the valleys of Gorkhi-Terelj National Park National Park ( p104 ) on a mountain bike and cap the Naiman Nuur experience with a night at a ger camp Nature Reserve Focus your camera lens on the magnificent takhi (wild horse) at Khustain National Park ( p115 ), where the wild horse roams free once again Hike into the forests to the splendid Tövkhön Khiid ( p124 ), the site of religious leader and artist Zanabazar’s workshop and meditation centre Camp by the striking Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur ( p130 ), a volcanic lake offering great fishing and lovely sunsets POPULATION: 289,100 AREA : 199,000 SQ KM 102 CENTRAL MONGOLIA lonelyplanet.com CENTRAL MONGOLIA Dulann Khaan Zuun Solongotyn Rashaant Uul Nuur Khövsgöl (2059m) Davaa Bayan Agt Zavkhan Shine-Ider Uran Uul Gol (1631m) Ider Togoo Uul Tsetserleg Soum l Tosontsengel o (1923m) Galt G i u an Ikh-Uul Kh Jargalant Saikhan Khairkhan Erdenemandal Tarvagatai Choidogiin Uul National Borgio Park Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur Khorgo National Park Uul Chuluut Arkhangai Mogod Tariat Gorge Khutuin Gol Tsakhir Terkhiin Öndör Khoid Terkhiin Gol Tsagaan Ulaan Ölziit Mogod Nuur Uul (2139m) Khangai Noyon Khangai gene Gol Khanui Gol Ögii National Park Tamir Gol Battsengel Gich Nuur Khoid Tamir Gol Taikhar Ikh Tamir Chuluu Ögii Chuluut Nuur Kultegin CENTRAL MONGOLIA Monument Tsetserleg Tsenkher Khar O Balgas rkhon Gol Khashaat Gurvanbulag Khotont Bulgan Tsenkheriin Khangai Khaluun Us Erdene Kharkhorin Zuu Jargalant Nuruu Khiid National Park Shankh Chandiman Zurkh Tövkhön Khiid Zag Gol Bayanbulag Uul (3486m) hon Tunkhel Ork Orkhon Khujirt Khürkhree Bat-Ölzii Baidrag Gol Galuut Khuisiin Myangan NaimanNuur Khüreemaral Ugalzat Uul Nature Reserve Olziit Gol (3483m) Naiman Nuur Züünbayan-Ulaan (Eight Lakes) Uyanga Bayan-Ovoo Buutsagaan Erdenetsogt Bömbögör Arvaikheer Bayankhongor O n g i in G o Nariinteel l Khairkhandulaan Bayankhongor Khuren Öndör Uul Böön Gov- (2725m) Tsagaan Altai Nuur Baatsagaan Tögrög Guchin-Us Zon Uul (3452m) Jinst Baruunbayan Ulaan Bayantsagaan Orog Nuur Baga Terguun Bogd Ikh Bogd Uul Bayan-Öndör Uul (3957m) (3598m) Bayangovi Shinejist Amarbuyant Bayanlig Bogd Khovd Khiid Gurvan Saikhan Natural Park Nemegt Uul Gobi Desert (2769m) Altan Uul Khongoryn (2273m) Els.