If you are ever lucky enough to visit Mongolia, make sure to add Altai Mountains to your list of places to see. This mountain is absolutely stunning, and its history is just as fascinating. The Mongolian Altai is the largest mountain system in the country.
Tavan Bogd Mountain is located in the Tavan Bogd National Park and is a dream travel destination for trekkers, mountaineers, wild nature lovers, and nature lovers. Not only nature, but the surrounding area is also home to various ethnic groups and historical sites. So here are few interesting facts about the Tavan Bogd Mountain
#Fact 1 – Location of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park
The Altai Tavan Bogd National Park (Altai five saints nature complex) is a national park in Bayan-Ölgii Province, Mongolia. The park encompasses the Mongolian side of the Tavan Bogd massif, which is split by the Altai Mountains’ three boundary lines with Russia and China.
The quickest way to get from Ulaanbaatar to the national park is by plane, but if you want to see more of the countryside and have a more adventure, then driving is the better option.
You can either drive all the way there (1920 km), or fly to Ulgii town first and then drive 270 km from there. Keep in mind that the roads between Ulgii town and Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain are rough so it will take longer (560 km on both ways).
#Fact 2 – 5 Saint peaks of Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain
The Golden Mountains Tavan Bogd massif has five main peaks, which are considered as the five sacred peaks “Five Saints”. They are:
- the Khuiten peak (Mongolia’s highest point at 4374 meters above the sea level) The highest peak of Altai Mountain.
- Nairamdal or Friendship peak the second highest point (4082 meters)
- Malchin peak or Herder peak (4037 meters above sea level)
- Burged or Eagle peak (4068 meters )
- Ulgii peak (4050 meters)
The Local People have nicknamed these five summits “Bogd” to show their reverence and hence the name Altai Tavan (Five) Bogd. The word Bogd signifies someone with extensive knowledge or great compassion, which is why it translates to English as “Saint”. So we called it Altai Tavan Bogd Uul.
#Fact 3 – Climate of the Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain/ Why you can see the biggest glacier there?
It usually snows from October until the end of May, with the rainiest season being in July and August. The average temperature during summer days is 16-25°C, while nights are 7-13°C on average.
The Tavan Bogd massif is home to the largest glacier system in Mongolia (and possibly Central Asia), which is called the Potanin Glacier. It stretches about 14 kilometres and located through in the Altai Tavan Bogd mountain in Altai Mountain range. The glacier is named after explorer Grigory Potanin.
Unfortunately, like with other glaciers around the world, the Potanin Glacier is gradually shrinking. It shrank by about 90 meters in a 6-year period of monitoring.
#Fact 4 – Things you can do in Altai Tavan Bogd
- Many tourists come to Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain for the famous Potanin Glacier and Khuiten peak- the tallest mountain in Mongolia. If you’re an experienced adventurer looking for a new challenge, you may attempt to may peaks of Altai tavan bogd. If a 36-37 kilometer trek doesn’t seem like your cup of tea, don’t worry! Horseback riding is one of the best way to explore deep in this large park instead. The views of the snowcapped mountains in Mongolia, Russia, and China will be sure to take your breath away.
- Another fascinating sight is the Shiveet Khairkhan rock drawing in the Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain. The rock carvings cover a wide range of styles, with some dating back to the Bronze Age and others from the Turkic period of V to VIII AD. UNESCO has included the Shiveet Khairkan rock drawing in its list of World Heritage Site.
- The area is home to creatures like the Altai Argali sheep, Ibex, Red deer, Beech marten, Moose, Snow cock and Golden eagle. With a touch of luck clients might catch glimpse of wild sheep , ibex and snow leopard on our trekking tour . On other hand , during special interest tours one can observe wide variety of wildlife in their natural surroundings. Additionally, the golden eagles, endangered species of snow leopards are rare animals.
- On your way from Ulgii town to Altai Tavan Bogd Mountain, you will see the Tsagaan Gol/White River. These Mountain Rivers, is the main valley flowing from the Tavan Bogd Mountains to Tsengel village and the center section of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The inhabitants of the valley are Tuvan, a Mongol tribe renowned for their throat singing and unique arts.
Bonus Fact
The Altai Tavan Bogd National Park serves as the primary setting of Chorh-Gom Prison in the Kung Fu Panda franchise. In the DreamWorks Animation film, the park is depicted as an inescapable prison.
However, in actuality, the Tavan Bogd National Park is a popular tourist destination and one of the most beautiful places in Mongolia. So next time you watch Kung Fu panda, take note of the amazing scenery in the background!
Hi, I’m Bayanbat. I grew up in Mongolia and have been living there my whole life. I create Correctmongolia web that helps people understand Mongolia better.
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