The Gobi Desert
The Gobi Desert is a vast, arid region in northern China and southern Mongolia. It’s known for its dunes, mountains and rare animals such as snow leopards and Bactrian camels. In the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, the Khongoryn Els sand dunes are said to sing when the wind blows. The park also features the deep ice field of Yolyn Am canyon. Dinosaur fossils have been found at the red “Flaming Cliffs” of Bayanzag.
The Mongolian government established the Great Gobi National Park in 1975 and the UNESCO designated as the Great Gobi as the fourth largest Biosphere Reserve in the world in 1991. Mongolians consider that there are 33 different Gobi , where sandy desert occupies only 3 percent of the total territory. The area is often imagined as a lifeless desert like in many other parts of the world. Gobi Desert is a land of dinosaurs and it is the home for camel breeders rich with wildlife and vegetation. Dinosaur skeletons and their petrified eggs have been preserved here to the present day. Wild asses, camels, snow leopards, mountain sheep and gazelles flourish here, as do different types of flora.
The Mongolian government established the Great Gobi National Park in 1975 and the UNESCO designated as the Great Gobi as the fourth largest Biosphere Reserve in the world in 1991. Mongolians consider that there are 33 different Gobi , where sandy desert occupies only 3 percent of the total territory. The area is often imagined as a lifeless desert like in many other parts of the world. Gobi Desert is a land of dinosaurs and it is the home for camel breeders rich with wildlife and vegetation. Dinosaur skeletons and their petrified eggs have been preserved here to the present day. Wild asses, camels, snow leopards, mountain sheep and gazelles flourish here, as do different types of flora.
Bayanzag (from UB 678km)
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Gobi desert is rich in native tree saxaul, so it called “Bayanzag”. “Ulaan khavtsal” is a Red shore of clay formations formed in various forms of wind and rain for thousands of years.
It has a unique 5km wide texture, approximately 8km long. American palentologgist first found dinosaur bones and eggs in the area while he was researching a trace of ancient people with his crew in 1922. |
Khongor sand dune ( from UB 650km)
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Khongor sand dune is one of the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in Mongolia. Rising as high 200 m, the dunes are 7-8 km wide and about 180 km long. The dunes rise up between a spur of the Altai mountains to the south, and springs and oases on the north side with lush green. Climbing the dunes is breathtaking, not only for the view at the top, the sand dunes makes a singing sound while you climb.
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Yol valley ( from UB 598km)
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Another miracle of Gobi Desert in Mongolia is Three Beauties of Gobi as a massive rock stone mountain. This mountain has steep rock walls followed a continuous river flow. Length of Yol Valley continues 8 km.
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Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa) ( from UB 386km)
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The scarp of Tsagaan Suvarga is located in the south west of the Dundgobi province. It is a sheer slope that was an ancient seabed that featured a sedimentary structure that was created over millions of years. It is interesting to see this slope because it faces eastward towards the sun, and from a distance it appears to be the ruins of an ancient city.
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Baga Gazariin Chuluu –(Rock Formations) (from UB 230km)
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Situated about 37km northwest from the centre of Delgertsogt Soum, Dundgobi Aimag. This area of granite surrounded by flat plains is located 1768m above sea level covering 300 sq km area. Around the mountain pass and valley one can see considerable number of ancient graves, khirigsuurs, petroglyphs and monuments besides many gushing springs. There are many sights to see such as a rocky ravine of poplar called Sudutyn am, Jargalant cave, spring of eyesight, Tahilgiin Havtsal. (Tahilga canyon), Ger Chuluu and Hunnu graves.
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