Dornod province

Dornod aimag borders on the North with the Russian Federation and on the East and South-East with the People's Republic of China. 

The population is predominantly Khalkha, but Buryat and Barga nationalities live in Ereentsav of Bayan-Uul, Bayandun, Dashbalbar, and Tsagaan-Ovoo somons. Gurvan-zagal, and Khuluunbuir somons are populated by the Uzemchin. 4/5 of the territory is hilly. The vast steppes of Menen, Matad, and Tamsag cover the territory of 186 miles (300 km) in the East with some parts reaching 93 miles (150 km.) in width. 93-124 miles (150-200 km) along both sides of the Kherulen river lie steppes. Also there are high mountains along the sides of the Uuiz river, and low hills along the sides of the Onon river. The annual precipitation is 10-12 inches (250-300 mm). Onon, Kherulen, Khaikh, Uuiz are the biggest rivers. Numerous lakes could be found in Dornod, such as Khukh, Galuut, Bayan, Bulan and Buir. The Buir lake is the biggest, fresh water lake, others are salt lakes. In the territory of the aimag, there are many springs, the most famous ones being Tsagaan Khundii, Utaat Minjuur, Ereen, Tsagaan chuluut. Deer, elks, raccoon, boars, otter and white antelope's habitat is in the basins of the Onon and Ulz rivers, and Khyangan mountain range. Marmots prefer the steppe. Bears, boars, and muskrats habitat is the basin of the Onon river. Wolf and fox can be seen everywhere, and squirrel and lynx in some places. Soil is black and brown and rich in pasture grass. Basins of the rivers are quite fertile. Dornod aimag has a relatively well developed infrastructure. 81.3 percent of the total arable land, or around 10.0 million hectares are either cultivated or used as pasture. 118 square miles are under cultivation for wheat growing and around 1.5 square miles for growing vegetables. 

Chuluunkhoroot- KHUKH LAKE

The Khukh Lake is 38 km south of the Chuluunhoroot soum center of Dornod aimag. It is 21 km2, with an average depth of 7 meters and a large saline lake. The height of the sea is 552 meters above sea level. The Khukh Lake Depression is the lowest point in Mongolia.

The lowest point in Mongolia is Khokh Nuur (Blue Lake), a medium-sized freshwater lake at 560m altitude. Other than the thrill of standing in the lowest part of the country, there isn't much to keep you here, though the lake has a subtle beauty and you could combine it with an exploration of the Wall of Chinggis Khaan. The lake is also an important migration point for birds and you can spot many waders and shore birds here.

Khalkh gol - BUIR LAKE

The biggest lake in the eastern region of Mongolia is Buir Lake. The lake is located 311 km distant from the east of Choibalsan city and is the fresh water lake where the most water birds gather in Mongolia." In 2004, the Buir Lake was included in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance according to the Ramsar Convention." The convention is the one of the biggest documents for conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands, especially the place where water birds settle down most. There is 3-5 meter long sand embankment which was created from waves in the south of the lake. The average depth of the Buir Lake is seven meters. The Khalkh Gol River flows in the Buir Lake while Orshuun River flows out of it. There are 34 species of six clans of fish, 49 species of floating water weed, 5 species of floating animals and 4 species of pearl oysters in the lake. The Buir Lake is the lake with the most fish and most types of animals and birds in Mongolia. In addition, the longest water border of Mongolia continues in the lake. If you decide to travel to the richest lake in Mongolia, it is located 942 km distant from Ulaanbaatar.

Matad -MENEN STEPPE

Mongolia's most vast steppe is called the Menen steppe, it is located in the Dornod province, 60 km to the west of Buir lake, it is 600m above sea level. This is one of the biggest steppes in the world, it is unique because it has largely remained undeveloped. This vast steppe continues all the way till the east side of Mongolia, to Dariganga volcano.  The Steppe zone stretches to Khalkha river in the north, it lies east of the Khyangan mountain range.

The steppe is divided into 2 main parts: the north side of Kherlen, and the south side of Tamsag. The lowest point of this steppe in Mongolia lies in the northern area of the Kherlen. Mongolian famous poet B.Yavuukhulan described this steppe as: “Seeing the sunrise from the distance of lassoing the horse is amazing” (it means that because Mongolian people lasso the horse from very close, looking the sunrise from very close is more amazing.)