Khorgo and Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur NP

KHORGO AND TERKHIIN TSAGAAN NUUR NATIONAL PARK
The Khorgo – Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake National Park is located in the northern part of Khangai Mountain range at an altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level and about 700 km from UB, 280 km from Kharkhorin, and 170 km from Tsetserleg (capital of Arkhangai aimag).  Mountains, cliffs, rapid streams, rivers, lakes, extinct volcanoes, green forests, and pastures make up the scenic beauty of Khorgo where the long-haired yaks and horses roam the pastures. Taiga forest, grassland, and Mountain Forest Steppe zones transition from one another. The extinct volcano covered in basalt compliments the lake with its freshwater.

 

Natural zones of Khorgo area: Taiga Forest, taiga forest and grassland transitional area, mountain forest steppe that provides for rich biological diversity, namely 1600 species of plants, 46 species of mammals, 227 species of birds, 2 species of reptiles, and 12 species of fish. It is home to roe deer, Siberian deer, wolf, Pallas’s cat, red fox, Siberian marmot, goldend eagle, great bustard, saker falcon, balsk stork, Baigal teal, and ruddy shelduch.  

Khorgo Mountain is an extinct volcano that lies east of beautiful Tsagaan Nuur lake. The Khorgo volcano is covered with basalt. In 1965 it became partially protected and in 1997, a fully protected area to safeguard the spectacular mountain scenery and freshwater lake, habitat to endangered fauna and flora.

The grasslands are covered with beds of wildflowers, notably the Edelweiss (Leontopodium ochrolencum). A number of extinct volcanoes are found in this area. The protected national park covers an area of 28 square kilometers including Togoo Uul at 2,240 meters above sea level and the hills of Terkhiin Tsagaan lake. Togoo Uul volcano crater is 200 meters wide and 100 meters deep with its northern slope covered with Siberian Larch (Larix sibirica)