Khuvsgul aimag, often referred to as the "Switzerland of Mongolia," has always been one of the favorite destinations for travelers in Mongolia. Lake Khuvsgul - the dark blue pearl of Mongolia - is surrounded by lush green hills, mountains reaching towards the sky, and dense alpine taiga forests. 96 rivers and streams flow into the lake, which was created 2.5 - 3 million years ago by tectonic activity.

This majestic lake with its clear waters contains 65% of all the fresh water in Mongolia and, additionally, 1% of the world's fresh water supply. Nine species of fish inhabit the lake, including the Siberian grayling and lenok. The nearby taiga forest, forest steppe, mountains, and the lake itself provide habitat for 68 species of mammals, including argali, ibex, moose, reindeer, musk deer, brown bear, lynx, marten, beaver, wolves, and elk, 244 species of birds, and 750 species of plants, 60 of which are of medicinal importance.

Khuvsgul is the land of the Tsaatan reindeer herders, a branch of the Tuvan or Dukha ethnic group of Turkic language. This small group of 42 families possesses a social and material culture that has remained unchanged since the Ice Age. Shamanic or totemic rituals and symbolism are central to the social organization of the Tsaatan. Shamanic healing rituals are based on rare and archaic nomadic groups that are ethnographically interesting and found in the Eurasian continent; their lifestyles are ancestral to all nomadic pastoral cultures of Central Asia and resemble a way of life that was widespread across Europe, Asia, and North America 10,000 years ago. The people of Darkhad and Tuva have peacefully coexisted with the Tsaatan reindeer herders, sharing respect for Lake Khuvsgul, the Dalai Eej or Mother Sea, for supporting their livelihoods for centuries. The area is a perfect destination for holidays, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, trekking, sport fishing, and bird watching. Did you know... that Lake Khuvsgul is the second largest freshwater lake in the world and contains 1% of the world's freshwater reserve?

The largest river in Mongolia, the SELENGE GOL, flows through the northern part of the Aimag, while the Orkhon and Tuul rivers meander around the southern parts.

The UVGUN KHIID monastery, located in the KHUGNU-KHAN mountains, was built by the medieval religious figure Zanabazar, who dedicated the monastery to his teacher. The temple was one of his beloved sanctuaries. At its peak, the monastery served up to 1,000 lamas. In the 18th century, Ovgon-Khiid became a subject of contention between Galdan Boshigt (Western Mongolia) and Zanabazar (Central Mongolia). The former opposed Zanabazar's intention to submit to the Manchus. The endless argument escalated into war when Galdan Boshigt's army destroyed Ovgon-Khiid.

Bulgan aimag is a curious mix: the south is dry pastureland, while the north is green and has enough forests to support a small timber industry. Scattered in between are about 50,000 hectares of grain and vegetable crops - the agricultural heartland of Mongolia - and Erdenet, Mongolia's largest copper mine.

The URAN-TOGOO TULGA UUL NATURAL RESERVE, composed of Uran uul and the Togoo volcano, is located west of the city of Bulgan, en route to the Khuvsgul area.

The rich vegetation and fertile land of Selenge Aimag position the Aimag as the granary of Mongolia. Selenge Aimag produces 40-56% of the country's wheat. In the Aimag, there are timber, matches, cement, gypsum, alcohol, timber plants, gold, and a coal mine at Sharyn Gol that produces about two million tons of coal annually to supply electricity to the Erdenet mine in Bulgan Aimag.

The AMARBAYSGALANT MONASTERY is considered the second most important in Mongolia after Erdene Zuu Khiid in Kharkhorin and the most intact architectural complex in Mongolia located in a valley 360 km from Ulaanbaatar. The monastery was built between 1727 and 1737 by the Manchu Emperor Yongzheng and dedicated to the great Mongolian sculptor and Buddhist Zanabazar, whose mummified body was transferred here in 1779. The valley is covered throughout its extent by Turkic tombs of various geometric shapes dating back to the 3rd century. The area hosts sacred associations for the people. In 1996, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After 65 years, the lamas organized the religious dance "Tsam" for the first time in the Amarbaysgalant monastery in 2002.