Dornogov

Introducing Dornogov

Dornogov (East Gobi) is the first place visited by many overlanders, as the trainline from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar runs straight up its gut. The landscape seen from the train window is one of flat, arid emptiness and the occasional station where locals shuffle about on the platform. The railway supports local trade while the rest of the economy lies on the back of copper mining and small-scale oil extraction.

Most travellers stop here with the purpose of visiting Khamaryn Khiid, the monastery established by the poet-monk Danzan Ravjaa. The once-deserted monastery has become an important spiritual centre and pilgrimage point for Mongolians and foreigners interested in Buddhism. Another reason to come down this way is to travel by local train, getting a quick and easy look at the Gobi before heading into China.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009