The Eastern region of Mongolia consists of Khentii, Sukhbaatar and Dornod provinces. Khentii-is one of the 21 provinces of Mongolia, located in the east of the country. Its capital is Ondorkhaan. The province is named after the Khentii Mountains. Anyhow the tourism infrastructure has somewhat developed.
The Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area-is a government administered Strictly Protected Area in the Khentii province in Eastern Mongolia. Strictly Protected Areas are regions of land designated by the Mongolian government as wildlife preservation areas. Herding and tourism are tightly controlled, and hunting and mining are prohibited. However, the budget for maintaining and protecting these areas is quite small. The Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area is located in the Khentii Mountains, and includes the sacred Burkhan Khaldun Mountain, which is associated with the origin of Genghis Khan. This is considered to be the birthplace of Genghis Khan, as well as one of the rumored locations of his tomb.
Gorkhi/Terelj National Park-is one of the most popular national parks in Mongolia. Terelj is 70kms (44miles) N/E from Ulaanbaatar and features stunning granite mountains and flowery endless grassy green meadows. This picturesque National Park is a part of Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area. It is a great place for hiking, trekking, even you can rock climb here at its natural steep granite walls.
The Burkhan Khaldun-is a mountain of the Khentii Mountains in the Khentii aimag of Mongolia. The mountain itself and/or its proximity areas are rumored to be the birthplace of Genghis Khan, as well as the purported location of his tomb. The mountain is located in the 12,000 km² Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area established in 1992. It is considered the most sacred mountain in Mongolia, because it was first designated as sacred by Genghis Khan, although it previously had had strong religious significance prior to Genghis Khan making it such a powerful landmark. Khukh Nuur or the Blue Lake-is said to be the site where Temuujin was crowned as Chinggis Khaan in 1206. There is a small plaque that marks the coronation spot, which some say was attended by 100,000 soldiers.
Baldan Bereiven monastery-considered as one of the three largest monasteries in Mongolia was built in 1777 with more than 1,500 lamas at one time. The monastery architecturally resembles the famous Utai Gumbun monastery in Tibet.
Dornod Mongol Biosphere Reserve or the Mongol Daguur Strictly Protected Area-uninhabited by humans extends for over 200kms/124 miles along the Chinese border. It boasts 226 species of birds, including the endangered whooper swam, relict gull, mandarin duck, and great bustard inhabit the protected area. The protected area is home to 36 mammals, including roe deer, Mongolian gazelle, red fox, raccoon, and wolf. Established in part to protect the habitat for the Mongolian white-tailed gazelle (Procapra guttarosa) the area covers a representative part of the last great plain ecosystems where herds between 300,000 to 1 million Mongolian white-tailed gazelle roam the steppes.
Numrug Strictly Protected Area-has the Manchurian flora and fauna ecologically distinct from rest of Mongolia. The protected area, with high biological diversity, is home to 44 mammals, 234 species of birds, 24 fish, 3 reptiles and 4amphibians. Rare Usurian moose, black-naped oriole and great black water snake and the endangered hooded crane and Houbara bustard are found here along with otter, brown bear, lynx and wild boar.
The Buir Lake-the largest lake in the eastern Mongolia stretching 40kms/25miles is an important local fishing site where Amur carp, mirror carp, Amur grayling, lenok, khadary, burbot, whitefish, and others are found in abundance.
Huh Nuur (Blue lake)-is the lowest point in Mongolia, 554 meters above sea level. The beautiful rivers of Khalkha and Numrug and Buir Nuur lake all boast rich bird life.
Sukhbaatar province-has more 220 dead volcanoes, lakes, sand dunes, and ancient stone monuments. Dariaganga-is where the sand dunes of the Gobi and the grassy plains of the northern steppe converge. There are dozens of stone figurines, the origins of which are yet to be discovered, close to Altan Ovoo, a wide crater topped where only men are allowed to visit. Originally Batsagaan stupa was erected on top of the mountain in 1820. According to local tradition, you should place an offering of food in the cup held in the statue’s left hand. There are also three balbals known as the king, the queen and the prince, in the north edge of town, near some hay sheds. Shiliin Bogd Mountain (1,778m)-is the highest peak in Sukhbaatar aimag. The locals believe that the spirit of a man who climbs it especially at sunrise will be revived by the sacred volcano. The region is isolated yet stunning in so many ways. In route to Shiliin Bogd there is the statue of Tooroi Bandi, the “Robin Hood” of Mongolia who stole horses of local Manchurian occupants and hid them in the mountain.
Taliin Agui or the Steppe Cave-is one of the largest caves in Mongolia with seven chambers to explore, the entrance of which is covered with ice till August. There are six lakes in the vicinity of Dariganga-all of which are part of the 28,000 ha of Ganga Nuur Natural Reserve. Ganga Lake-is the gathering ground for thousands of migrating swans from the start of August to end of October.