One of the most popular travel routes in Mongolia is Govi Gurvansaikhan (Three Beauties of Gobi) National Park established in 1993 in Southern Mongolia. The park, at nearly 27,000 square kilometers, is the largest national park in Mongolia, stretching 380 km from east to west and 80 km from north to south. The Park is located in the northern part of the Gobi Desert, about 650 km south of capital Ulaanbaatar.
Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa), Gobi Desert
The national park gets its name from the Govi Gurvan Saikhan Mountains, which literally means "Three Beauties of Gobi", in Mongolian. These include the mountain range named for three sub-ranges - Baruun Saikhany Nuruu (Western Beauty), Dund Saikhany Nuruu (Middle Beauty) and Zuun Saikhany Nuruu (Eastern Beauty) in Umnugovi aimag. The range forms the eastern part of the Park. The highest peak is found in Dund Saikhany Nuruu with 2,825 meters above sea level. In 2012 the Govi Gurvan Saikhan Mountains were announced as state worshipping sacred mountains according to the Presidential Decree.
The Gobi Desert is the habitat of Bactrian camels, rare animals and features a unique natural landscape, colorful earth cliffs, sand dunes, beautiful oases, small lakes and ponds, and vast steppe landscapes where mirages dance in the distance. The area has many springs such as Khadat, Nemegt, Zuulun, Enger Buleen and Talkhit cold springs, Elgen and Salkhit hot springs.
Globally and nationally endangered species such as the Argali wild sheep, ibex, leopard, black-tailed antelope, Mazaalai (Gobi bear), marbled polecat, wildcat, lynx, rock marten, gopher, and antelope inhabit this area. Gobi is rich with fossils, fossilized skeletons, eggs of dinosaurs that were living in the area hundreds of million years ago.
Gobi Desert must see attractions
- Eagle Valley (Yol Valley)
- Bayanzag (Rich Saxaul), Flaming Cliffs
- Khongor sand dunes (Singing dunes)
- Baga Gazryn Chuluu
- White Stupa (Tsagaan Suvarga)
- Ongi temple (1760)
- Ride two-humped bactrian camels
The Gobi desert is best visited during late spring (May-June) or early in the autumn (September-October).
