Bogd Mountain Natural Reserve

This sacred mountain is Located south of the capital. Ulaanbaatar is the South - Western spur of the Khentii mountain range.

The Tsetsee guin (2257m) is the summit. The 40.8km 2 massif has been protected since 1778 and is regarded as one of the oldest natural reserves in the world. Many gorges and valleys display rock drawings from various historical eras. Even before the arrival of Buddhism, this mountain range was an area of pilgrimage. In the late 1930's, important treasures were brought here from Buddhist monasteries to to escape destruction by the Stalinist-communist regime in Sicherhiet.About the half of the protected area is forest. Larches are the dominate tree, but asps, ferns, birches, elms and cedars as well as varieties of shrub can be found. In total, more than 220 plant species grow here. The forests are home to roe deer, musk deer, game pigs, and ibexes as well as rich collection of bird life, including buzzards, woodpeckers and storks. Especially in the winter months deer come down from the mountains into the center of Ulaanbaatar.