TERELJ NATIONAL PARK AND THE EAST
The picturesque TERELJ national park is most visited area among domestic and foreign tourists. It takes roughly about an hour to reach by paved road to the east of Ulaanbaatar. Terelj features stunning massive granite mountains and rock formations set among flowery endless grassy green meadows, and groves of trees, winding rivers make the view even more beautiful. To the northeast, Gorkhi-Terelj National Park joins the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area, comprising more than 12,000 sq km with 1600m above sea level. Before the continents came to the way it is now, part of Mongolia was an ocean away. With the collision, the most interesting rock formations of granite rocks are formed. Over time, wind and water, shaped them up nicely, for example, into a Turtle Rock. strange shapes of rock formations which locals made up some legends and stories have grown up around the rock formations. Scientifically, they are the result of typical spheroidal or woolsack weathering. Mountains of Gorkhi-Terelj are formation of only granitic massifs, which contains several hundreds of pegmatites. Many of these rocks have been revered in the past and some still are today.
TERELJ MEANS "RODENDOREM"
TERELJ is a flower that has an opiate make you calmer and boost low immune systems, drive away tiredness, sleeplessness, and may calm your central nerve system. In the springtime bloom May to July in the eastern buffer zone of Terelj. There are over 1,150 species of plants that have been identified but the national park named after Rodendorem, a beautiful lovely color flower. For people that go searching for this flower usually do not sit for more than 20 minutes among them. People who have high blood pressure, heart disease is not allowed because the flower emits a toxic substance called andromedotoxin.
A COZY PLACE TO STAY
Since socialist times, Gorkhi Terelj National Park has been a well-known holiday destination, with accommodation provided by government-owned hotels. Now there are many modern camps and lodges that are built for the comfort of foreign tourists including Terelj Hills Lodge which is one of the most popular among foreign and domestic tourists who are attracted to this lodge due to the location, food, comfort, and service.
GORKHI TERELJ NATIONAL PARK AND KHAN KHENTII STRICTLY PROTECTED AREA
The Gorkhi Terelj National Park was established and taken into the national protected area network in 1993, in order to protect the natural landscapes, such as mountains, cliffs, and rivers, to regulate tourism and appropriately use and protect natural resource. The park has plenty of historical, cultural, and natural attractions. Such as the basin of rivers Terelj and Zaan Terelj is the motherland of Chinggis khaan’s ancestors and descendants. In the 17th century, the territory was part of the historical site of the Manchu dynasty and Mongolia’s relation. On the west side of the mountain, down along the Terelj river, there is a small valley at the cross-section of the rivers Terelj and Tuul, where the old Mongolian capital “Ikh Khuree” (now Ulaanbaatar) was located between 1733-1734. Water and smoke amethyst was found in Terelj and was mined until the 1960s and it is closed because of encroachment depth in the area, it stopped mining. The northern part of Gorkhi Terelj is sparsely populated in the valleys of the upper Tuul and Terelj rivers.
In contrast, the southern section has a population more than 200 families (some 1000) people, half of whom live in the village of Terelj. Tourism employees living in the park permanently or seasonally. In the summer season an unknown number of people from outside to move into the park to participate in the tourism business
FAUNA AND FLORA
Wildlife is similar to that found in Khan Khentii. Such as; over 50 mammal species occur in this region, including the endangered musk deer (Moschus moschiferous), the moose (Alkes alkes), the brown bear (Urus arctos), the wolf (Canis lipus) and the sable (martez zibellina).
To date, 253 species of birds and 50 species of fish have been found.
Permanent snow and ice occur and several mountains rise between 2.500m and 2.800.
The climate in the Gorkhi Terelj National Park is less severe due to the lower elevation.
Three major river systems have their source in the protected area: Tuul river which flows into Russia’s Lake Baikal and continues to the arctic ocean. The Onon and Kherlen rivers, which flow east to join Amur before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. Mongolia’s biggest cities receive their water from rivers flowing from the Khentii mountain. The Khentii mountains are believed to have the highest precipitation in.
This image below is river TUUL, originates from the high mountains of the Minjiin Khangai, collects water in a small lake, and flows about 5 km and flows into the Kherkhluur Lake. On the way from Kherkhluur Lake, it flows along many mountain rivers and streams, and our GOLDEN TUUL comes in Ulaanbaatar and provides drinking water to us.
The mountain steppe is particularly rich in species and colors. Plants can be found from all parts of continent; species from arctic tundra and northern coniferous forests grow next to Mongolian steppe grass; species of Manchurian steppe herbs extend into the area from east.
Over 1,150 species of plants have been identified, characteristics of both Taiga and steppe.
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO TERELJ NATIONAL PARK
The Gorkhi Terelj national park offers great opportunities for hiking, zipline, kayaking, rafting, archery, trekking, hiking, rock climbing, swimming. Horse and camel riding are one of the popular activities. ATV, flying by helicopter is becoming more popular recently. Visiting a nomad family and experience a real nomad way of living while you make some cheese and milk cow can be fun, seeing the natural landscape is calming. A park also has a souvenir shop that you can find Mongolian handmade goodies that you can save time shopping in the city. For hardcore extreme winter sports fanatics-skiing and dog sledding in the depth of winter is also offered.
1. TURTLE ROCK
With the collision, the most interesting gigantic turtle rock formations of granite rocks are formed. Over time, wind and water, shaped it nicely. It is 24m (79feet) high located at foothills of a mountain.
2. ARYABAL MEDITATION TRMPLE
Aryabal Tibetan style meditation temple was built in the shape of an elephant’s head in 1998-2004 on a steep hill with natural energy. 108 stone stairs will lead you to the temple and 108 small stupas were placed around the temple. The number 108 is an auspicious number in Buddhism. The Temple is open all year around for the visitors who would like to meditate, you will find many beautiful flowers and an amazing view in the valley. This area has the best place to find flower rich valleys.
3. THE GUINNESS RECORD-HOLDING EQUESTRIAN STATUE
A 13th-century theme park where you travel back in time to visit the establishments of the Great Mongolian Empire. There are 6 different camps and tribes of the empire and it is the only place you can visit the ancient micro kingdom. They are Relay station camp, Craftsman camp, Educational camp, Herder’s camp, Shaman’s camp, and King’s palace. The complex has the environment of tourism attractions, ger camps, farms, statues, and traditional entertainment areas, all in the real lifestyle of the 13th-century era.
4. MANZUSHIR MONASTERY
It is a former Buddhist monastery established 1722 and destroyed by communists in 1937. Most of the area surrounding the monastery is part of the “Bogdkhan uul” strictly protected area which contains abundant wildlife, streams and cedar trees. Today the monastery serves as tourist and hiking destination with an old site hostel. The monastery ruins were returned to the Buddhist church and the surviving objects within the monastery complex (the restored temple, the remains of walls and buildings, images of Buddhist deities and sacred inscriptions on the rocks) continue to be revered as objects of worship.
5. KHAN KHENTII STRICTLY PROTECTED AREA
To the northeast, Gorkhi-Terelj National Park joins the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area, comprising more than 12,000 sq km of the Töv, Selenge and Khentii provinces in eastern Mongolia. Strictly Protected Areas are regions of land designated by the Mongolian government as wildlife preservation areas. The colorful and magnificent alpine scenery is just beautiful to feel.
6. STAR GAZING
Terelj National Park is ideal for those who want to experience an exceptional star gazing opportunity in the Mongolian countryside. You will see how beautiful Mongolian nature is, unique nomadic traditions, and a vast, stary sky without traveling hundreds of kilometers away from the city. Located just 60 km (37 miles) outside the city.
7. CAMPING AT MONGOLIAN GER
To date back some 2,500 years, the simplicity and efficiency of the ger is still kept its culture yet in modern time it converted from authentic accommodation into hotel styled ensuite tourist ger camp facilitated with toilet, shower and electricity with comfortable bedding. During the pandemic time, this kind of individual ger meets the need of traveler. It provides your health, safety and wellbeing. This luxury ger camp is surprisingly close to Ulaanbaatar. At the same time, you can enjoy fine dining in a lodge restaurant.
8. HORSE RIDING
Gorkhi Terelj National Park is the right place for horseback riding and exploring wide-open meadows and rolling hills, trails along rivers, over forested passes, down through high grasses to discover another valley. Explore the hills and grasslands, rock formations rising from the steppe.
10. ZIPLINE
You can soar through the air on a 430 m zipline in Terelj national park to see an unparalleled panoramic view if the stunning mountain peaks. This is the only large scale zipline in Mongolia.
13 TH CENTURY COMPLEX
13th century theme park where you travel back in time to visit the establishments of the Great Mongolian Empire. There are 6 different camps and tribes of the empire and it is the only place you can visit the ancient micro kingdom. They are Relay station camp, Craftsman camp, Educational camp, Herder’s camp, Shaman’s camp and King’s palace. The complex has the environment of tourism attractions, ger camps, farms, statues and traditional entertainment areas, all in real lifestyle of 13th century era.