Khovd aimag is situated in the far West of Mongolia. On the West and South-West Khovd aimag borders with the Peoples Republic of China.
Khovd is one of Mongolia's most heterogeneous aimags, with a Khaikh majority and minorities of Khoton,Kazakh, Uriankhai, Zakhchin, Myangad, Uuld, Durvud and Torguud peoples. It is the most visited aimag in western Mongolia. The aimag is rich in historical, cultural sites and beautiful places, such as Khartgai, Tsagaan burgas, Turgen, Khan Serkh waterfall, Endert, Baatar, Buuliastai, Uyench, Bodonch, Botgon steep canyon, Sacred tree, Ulaankhairkhan peak, Nuramt, Tsakhir, and Tsengkher caves. There are the Khovd, Bulgan, Buyant, Bodonch, Tsenkher rivers. Khar Us lake, and Durgun are the biggest lakes.
Khovd aimag is almost cut in half by the mighty Mongol Altai Nuur range; away from the mountains the land is a barren semi-desert dotted with salt lakes and smaller mountains. The melting snow from the mountains recharges the water table every spring, providing Khovd with more than 200 fast-moving rivers (and dozens of lakes), none of which has an outlet to the sea. All the rivers simply disappear beneath the sands or run into large saltwater marshes, which serve as giant evaporating ponds.
The mix of desert rock, salt lake, snowy peaks and Kazakh culture makes Khovd one of the most beautiful and appealing aimags in Mongolia.
- Buyant - KHAR US LAKE NATIONAL PARK
About 40km to the East of Khovd city is Khar Us Lake (Black Water Lake), the second largest freshwater lake (15,800 sq km) in Mongolia - but with an average depth of only 4m. Khovd river flows into this lake, creating a giant marsh delta. Khar Us lake is the perfect habitat for wild ducks, geese, wood grouse, partridges and seagulls, including the rare relict gull and herring gull - and by late summer, a billion or two of everyone's friend, the common mosquito. Be prepared for the blighters, otherwise your life will be a misery. The best time to see the birdlife is in May and late August.
As at Uvs Lake, birdwatchers may be a little disappointed: the lake is huge, difficult to reach because of the marshes, and locals know very little, if anything, about the birdlife. The best idea would be to go with one of the national park workers and to head for the delta where the Khovd River enters the lake.
The easiest place to see the lake is from the main Khovd-Altai road at the southern tip of the lake, where reed islands also make for good birding. The park plans to encourage eco tourism by setting up observation huts and maybe even ger accommodation in this area. Check with the park office in Khovd.
The outflow from Khar Us Lake goes into a short river called Chono Kharaikh, which flows into another freshwater lake, Khar Lake (Black Lake), home to some migratory pelicans. There is a dispute about which lake is the deepest in Mongolia: it is either Khar Lake or Khuvsgul lake. The southern end of Khar lake flows into Dorgon lake, which is a large salty pond. The East side of Dorgon lake is an area of bonedry desert and extensive sand dunes.
Just to the South, and between, the Khar and Khar Us lakes, are the twin peaks of Jargalant Khairkhan Mountain (3796m) and Yargaitin Ekh Mountain (3464m). You can see the massif as you drive to Ulgii from Altai in Gobi-Altai aimag.
Just to the South, and between, the Khar and Khar Us lakes, are the twin peaks of Jargalant Khairkhan Mountain (3796m) and Yargaitin Ekh Mountain (3464m). You can see the massif as you drive to Ulgii from Altai in Gobi-Altai aimag.
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