Verdant swaths of empty landscapes are sprinkled with tiny gers (traditional yurts) stretching to the horizon, while magical light plays across the valleys. This is the Mongolian heartland, loaded with both historical sites and natural beauty, with plenty of scope to horse-trek over forested mountains, camp by pretty lakes or soak in hot springs.
Because the region is relatively close to Ulaanbaatar (and many sights are right beside the city), infrastructure is a little better than in other areas, with many places reachable by public transport. The most scenic sub-region is the Khangai Mountains, but you’ll find beautiful scenery even if you only venture as far as Terelj.

Tsenkher hot springs (from UB 495km)

Arkhangai province is famous for it’s many ancient volcanoes. These volcanoes, and the accompanying tectonic activity, are responsible for the numerous water springs and natural hot water that flows year long from an elevation of 1860 meters (1.16 mile) above sea level. Mongolia’s most famous hot spring, Tsenkher natural hot spring, is located in Tsenkher soum.

Terkh White Lake Khorgo Volcano (from UB 630km)

Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake is an astonishingly beautiful lake with relatively pure fresh water. Torrents of lava issuing from the Khorgo volcano blocked the north and south Terkh Rivers, so forming the dammed lake of Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake at an altitude of 2060 meters above sea level. The lake is 16 km wide, 4-10 meters deep with its deepest point at 28 meters and over 20 kilometers in length. It flooded 61 square km. The lake supports Pike and other fish. The Khorgo lies east of the lake Terkh white Lake and together they are the core of the Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park. A notable geological feature is solidified lava bubbles.

Orkhon waterfall (from UB 449km)

Is located 100km from Kharkhorin city, the Orkhon rivers flows into the Ulaan river.  It features a waterfall, ten meters wide and twenty meters high. In 2.5 million years, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occurred at the head of the Tsagaan Azarga river, located in the Khangai mountain range. The hot lava created a layer of thick basalt stone mulch that is hundreds of km deep. Geologist think that The Orkhon rivers flow on the basalt stone river created a massive canyon.

Genghis Khan Statue complex (from UB 54km)

The equestrian statue of Chinggis Khaan was built for occasion of the eight-hundredth anniversary of the foundation of the Mongolian Empire, in honour of its founder, Chinggis Khaan. This huge stainless steel statue weighs 250 tons and is 40 m high, it's the highest statue representing a man on a horseback in the world. It's located 54 km from Ulaanbaatar, on the banks of the Tuul River, in the place called Tsonjin Boldog. “Chinghis Khaan” complex statue.

Terelj National Park (from UB 53km)

Terelj is a unique mountain formation near the Ulaanbaatar city. The highest point is 2664 m above sea level, and its southeast tip of Siberia. Intercepted steep slopes of mountains in every rock mountain valley has a unique setting. For example, there are many legends and historic rock cave such as Camel Rock, friends rock, monks rock, lion rock and a turtle rock.