Bayankhongor

Introducing Bayankhongor

One of the most diverse aimags in the Gobi, this one has mountains in the north, deserts in the south, a handful of lakes and rivers, hot springs and a real oasis in the far south of the province.

Bayankhongor, which means ‘rich chestnut’ (named after the colour of the horses – or your skin after a couple of hours in the Gobi sun), is home to wild camels and asses and the extremely rare Gobi bear.

Most travellers bypass the aimag while travelling along the major southern Ulaanbaatar-Khovd road, but Bayankhongor does have some interesting, albeit remote, attractions. Some adventurous expeditionists have ridden horses from Bayankhongor over the Khangai Nuruu to Tsetserleg in Arkhangai. Other travellers have gone camel trekking between some of the remote towns in the south of the aimag.

Getting to these remote places is as much expedition as common travel, but if you are well prepared the area offers some magical trips off the beaten track.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009