MANZUSHIR MONASTERY. The Manzushir Monastery, built in 1733, is located at the southern end of the Bogd Khaan National Park. In the past, the monastery housed 70 temples and more than 1,000 monks. Unfortunately, in 1932, the monastery was destroyed by the communists. Today, it remains the only surviving temple, restored to its former glory. Visitors to the area can enjoy the magnificent landscape and explore the museum displaying original photos and artifacts from the temple. They can also explore the surrounding flora and fauna, admire the copper bowl that once nourished 1,000 monks, and hike to admire the paintings of Tārā, the Compassion deity, and other deities carved into the rocks overlooking the valley.

The province of Tuv boasts three national parks, including the Bogd Khaan National Park, the world's first national park established in 1778, the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, and the Khan Khentii National Park, which spans both Tuv and Khentii provinces.

GORKHI-TERELJ NATIONAL PARK. Gorkhi Terelj National Park, the country's third-largest protected area, was established in 1993. It borders the strictly protected area of Khan Khentii and is particularly popular among visitors due to its natural environment and proximity to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. Terelj takes its name from the Terelj River and is characterized by endless slopes and valleys, with heavily eroded rock formations, mountains covered in dense forests, and meadows dotted with perennial wildflowers and alpine stars. The park offers numerous opportunities for adventurous activities such as rafting, horseback riding, hiking, skiing, camping, and mountain biking.


The Przewalski's horse, or takhi, the last wild horse in the world, has been successfully reintroduced into the wild in the Khustai National Park in Tuv Aimag. The park landscape ranges from grassy steppe to forested steppe. The best time for visitors to spot the wild horses and other animals such as deer and gazelles is at dawn and dusk. Within the reserve, there are several Turkish tombs and stone men (Khun chuluu), while the archaeological complex of Ongot is nearby.

UGII LAKE. Ugii Lake is renowned as a wonderful spot for observing migratory birds and for fishing.

KHAR BALGAS, or the "Black Ruins," represents the ancient capital of the Uighur Khanate, founded in 751 AD, which ruled Mongolia from 745 to 854. The crumbling citadel, located on the banks of the Orkhon River, offers little to see, except for the outer walls, a stupa, and the kagan's (king's) castle.

TERKHIIN TSAGAAN LAKE. Surrounded by dormant volcanoes, Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan, situated at an altitude of 2,060 meters, spans an area of 61 square kilometers.

The Kültegin monument is a 3-meter-high epigraphic stele dedicated to Kültegin, a general of the Second Turkic Khaganate in the pre-Genghis Khan era. This stele, erected in 732 AD, is inscribed in runic characters and in Chinese script. About 1 km away stands another monument erected in honor of the older brother Bilge Khagan (683-734).


ORKHON WATERFALL. Orkhon Waterfall stretches an impressive 1,120 kilometers northward and is located in the Orkhon Valley, a historically significant site and UNESCO World Heritage Site. This waterfall, formed by a combination of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes some 20,000 years ago, cascades from a height of 27 meters. It's a great spot for birdwatching and fishing.

NAIMAN NUUR, also known as the "Eight Lakes," is another must-visit area situated 70 kilometers southwest of Orkhon Waterfall. These lakes were formed by volcanic eruptions and are part of the 11,500 hectares of Khuisiin Naiman Nuur Nature Reserve.

TUVKHUN KHIID, the ruins of an ancient temple partially restored, are located atop a mountain north of the Orkhon Valley. The temple offers a splendid view of the surrounding landscape, accessible via hiking or horseback riding. Zanabazar, a spiritual leader of Buddhism, built the temple in 1653, where he lived, worked, and meditated for 30 years.


KHARKHORIN (KARAKORUM), the ancient capital of Mongolia, was founded by Genghis Khan in 1220, in the Orkhon Valley. For 140 years, Kharkhorin served as the capital of the united Mongol tribes until it was destroyed by Chinese troops in 1391. The remains of the capital, situated at the crossroads of the Silk Road, consist of extensive underground archaeological assets and two granite tortoises that once stood at the main entrance of the city. Four of these tortoise sculptures were used to mark the boundaries of ancient Kharkhorin, serving as protectors of the city (tortoises are considered symbols of eternity).

In 1586, ERDENE ZUU, Mongolia's first Buddhist monastery, was built on the ruins of the 13th-century capital. Extensive walls, 400 meters in length, with 108 stupas surround the monastery, symbolizing Kharkhorin. Time and history have not been merciful to Erdene Zuu monastery, but it still bears traces of its ancient splendor and provides a profound insight into Mongolia's rich religious and cultural past.


The MAANIT MONUMENT, bearing an inscription in Turkish and erected in 731 BC, stands amidst the steppes of Uvurkhangai. These are the ruins of Kharkhot, the capital of the Uighurs.

Did you know... the emblem on the flag of Mongolia is the first letter of the first Mongolian written language created by Zanabazar, the first theocratic leader in 1620?

The cultural landscape of the Orkhon Valley has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


The Orkhon Valley, spanning an area of ​​1,220 square kilometers (470 square miles), represents one of the most significant cultural regions in the world, recognized by UNESCO as both a World Heritage Site and a natural landscape in 2004. This vast area includes pastures on both banks of the Orkhon River and numerous archaeological sites dating back to the 6th century. The cultural landscape of the Orkhon Valley includes prominent locations such as Kharkhorin, the 13th-century capital of the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan.

The archaeological remains reflect the interconnectedness between nomadic, pastoral societies and their administrative and religious centers, underscoring the historical significance of the Orkhon Valley in Central Asian history. This site highlights how a strong and enduring nomadic culture facilitated the development of extensive trade networks and the creation of large administrative, commercial, military, and religious centers. The influence of the world's largest empire has certainly left its mark on societies across Asia and Europe, absorbing cultural influences from both the East and the West.

At the core of all development within the Orkhon Valley over millennia has been a strong culture of nomadic pastoralism. This culture remains a fundamental element of Mongolian society, respected as a noble way of life in harmony with the surrounding environment. Lastly, the Orkhon Valley serves as an exceptional example of a valley that illustrates various significant phases of human history: it was the heart of the Mongol Empire, reflects a particular Mongolian variation of Turkish power, the Tuvkhun hermitage monastery contributed to the development of a Mongolian form of Buddhism, and Khar Balgas reflects the urban culture of the Uighurs in the capital of the Uighur Empire.