Dariganga country

The sum centre is 175km from Baruun- Urt. This is a mountainous region with some 180 craters.

The holy mountain of Shiliin bogd , its crater is 2km wide and 300 meters deep, and there are dozens of small ovoos covering it. The view from the top- overlooking the grasslands and the Chinese border – is fantastic.

Northwest from Shiliin Bogd, there is the basalt cave of Taliin Agui, which is full of stalagmites and said to be one of the largest in Mongolia(200meters long, 100,000 cubic meters in size )

The Altan Ovoo crater, which hovers above the Dariganga village, is a sacred mountain venerated in ceremonial rites.

Ganga nuur, small lake of only 4 sq km, is in Dariganga town.

Located in the south-east, this area was the site in 1939 of a fierce battle between Japan and a joint force of Mongol and Soviet troops. The Japanese, already in control of Manchuria (which they called Manchuguo), planned to invade Mongolia and set up a puppet state there. The Soviets, threatened by Japanese imperialism in the East, were quick to react and bulked up their forces along the front lines. Hundreds of tanks, canons and airplanes, and thousands of troops, faced one another across the Khalkh river. Although border skirmishes had been going on since 1935, the first serious battle occurred in May 1939. The Japanese were pushed back, but then in July launched a massive ground force. Three battles left 18100 Japanese dead and over 48000 wounded. As for the Soveits, their losses equaled 8900 dead and nearly 16000 wounded. The eighth Mongolian cavarlry division played minor roll in the fighting, it lost 237 men

The Japanese, now seeing the determination of the Soveits in Mongolia (and therefore Siberia), turned towards South-east Asia. Diplomats representing the USSR and Japan met several times after the battle, finally, in October 1941, all sides sighed a document to determine the extent of Mongolian borders. The situation remained tense, however, and huge numbers of Soveits borders guards were strung across the frontier.

The Khalkh River flows though Sumber sum. The main town, Tsagaannuur its 375 kilometres south-east of Choibalsan. The museum here explain in detail the battle of Khalkhiin Gol. A large Japanese cemetery attracts many visitors from that country every year.

BUIR NUUR (LAKE BUIR)

Located 285 kilometres from Choibalsan, and at a height of 581 metres, this pretty saltwater lake offers crystal-clear waters and good fishing opportunities. Stretching across Khalkh Gol Sumber sums, this is the largest lake in eastern Mongolia, over 20 kilometres wide and 40 kilometres long. Its north-west shore is in China. Mosquitoes invade this area in summer, so bring plenty of bug repellent and light clothing that will cover your skin. It’s worth noting that the Dornod steppes are reputed for being the home of the fiercest mosquitoes in Mongolia- a shame because Buir Nuur has beautiful sandy beaches and a wide variety of fish, including carp taimen and lenok. Along its shores stand several memorials dedicated to the Mongol and Russian soldiers who died in the battle of Khalkhiin Gol. The largest memorial called Khamar Davaa, is 50 metres tall.

THE KHALKHIIN GOL REGION

Located in the south-east, this area was the site in 1939 of a fierce battle between Japan and a joint force of Mongol and Soviet troops. The Japanese, already in control of Manchuria (which they called Manchuguo), planned to invade Mongolia and set up a puppet state there. The Soviets, threatened by Japanese imperialism in the East, were quick to react and bulked up their forces along the front lines. Hundreds of tanks, canons and airplanes, and thousands of troops, faced one another across the Khalkh river. Although border skirmishes had been going on since 1935, the first serious battle occurred in May 1939. The Japanese were pushed back, but then in July launched a massive ground force. Three battles left 18100 Japanese dead and over 48000 wounded. As for the Soveits, their losses equaled 8900 dead and nearly 16000 wounded. The eighth Mongolian cavarlry division played minor roll in the fighting, it lost 237 men

The Japanese, now seeing the determination of the Soveits in Mongolia (and therefore Siberia), turned towards South-east Asia. Diplomats representing the USSR and Japan met several times after the battle, finally, in October 1941, all sides sighed a document to determine the extent of Mongolian borders. The situation remained tense, however, and huge numbers of Soveits borders guards were strung across the frontier.

The Khalkh River flows though Sumber sum. The main town, Tsagaannuur its 375 kilometres south-east of Choibalsan. The museum here explain in detail the battle of Khalkhiin Gol. A large Japanese cemetery attracts many visitors from that country every year.

Menen steppe, the biggest and evenest steppe in Mongolia, is 90 km long and 60 km wide.

It’s located 805 km away to the East of Ulaanbaatar and 150 km away to the south east of CHoibalsan town in Dornod Province.

The steppe is surrounded by Khalkh river, Khayngan range and Dariganga steppe with ancient dormant volcanoes. The steppe, shows steppe landscape with mat-grasses, is home of antelopes. 70% percent of total Mongolian antelopes are here. According to the last research, total amount of antelope in Mongolia is 1.2 million. Hilly steppe and even steppe landscapes without any mountain dominate in this area. Pikas, hedgehogs, hares, wolves, foxes, musk, deer, badgers, and antelopes are found here. The steppe is divided into 2 parts namely north steppe of Kherlen river and steppe of Tamsag.

1. North steppe of Kherlen river covers area from the mentioned river to the north border of Mongolia. The steppe has generally even surface with small low ridges, high lands and low dips with salty lakes. Absolute altitude of the steppe varies between 560-1200 m. The lowest point is 560 m in Mongolian territory and it’s covered by mat-grasses.

2. Steppe of Tamsag is from Choibalsan town to Khalkh river and Khyangan range, or in the south of Kherlen river. The steppe is very even and high lands and low dips are rarely found here. Absolute altitude is 600-800 m. For fauna, mat-grasses, wormwoods, and couch grass dominate here.

Eastern Mongolian strictly protedted area is established in 1992 in order to protect mat grass ecosystem and antelopes, and the protected area includes Erdenetsagan sum of Sukhbaatar province and Matad and Khalkh gol sums of Dornod Province.