Dundgov (Middle Gobi). Mandalgobi. Middle Khalhasain Plain.
THE REGIONS OF MONGOLIA
DUNDGOVI AIMAG
MANDALGOBI
- Territory - 74,700 sq. km
- population of 51.300 inhabitants
- Center - Mandalgobi town, located 165 miles
(265 km) from Ulaanbaatar.
- Number of somons - 16
- Dundgovi aimag was established in 1942
Dundgobi Aimag is the middle segment of the
Gobi-desert. Dundgobi Aimag has an area of 74,700 square kilometers and
population of 51.300 inhabitants. The administrative center is the town of
Mandalgobi at an altitude of 1,393 meters sea level in the vast open steppe,
260 kilometers from Ulaanbaatar. The territory of the aimag is the central part
of the Middle Khalhasain Plain, with an average altitude of 1.500 meters above
sea level, and the highest point is Delgerkhangai Mountain, which reaches 1,926 meters above sea level.
Mandalgov. Population 11,000. Mandalgov came into existence in 1942, when the town consisted of just 40 gers. Today, it's a sleepy town that has had a major population
drop from 19,000 people 15 years ago. The town is very hot in summer. It offers the usual amenities for an aimag capital - an airport, a hotel, a monastery, a museum and a couple of shops. There is more to see around Sangiin Dalai, but Mandalgov is a useful stop-off on the way to Dalanzadgad in
Omnogov.
PLACES TO VISITED:
- Aimag museum. It's open for everyone. The museum is divided into two main sections: a natural history section and a more interesting ethnography and history section. Among the displays is a bronze Buddha made by Zanabazar. There's also a
collection of priceless scroll paintings (thangka), old flintlock rifles, bronze arrow heads, silver snuffboxes, pipes, and chess sets carved out of ivory.
- Dashgimpeliin Khiid. In 1936 there were 53 temples in Dundgov. A year later, they were reduced to ashes and rubble by the Mongolian KGB. In 1991 Dashgimpeliin Khiid was opened to serve the people of Mandalgov.
The monastery is small, consisting only of a monk's ger and a newly built temple, but it's very active inside. Visitors are welcome, but should show the usual respect.
- Mandalin Khar Ovoo. On top of Mandalin Khar Ovoo, about 150m north-west of the park, is a viewing pavilion. It is worth the short climb for a panorama of all that Mandalgov has to offer (which isn't much).
- Opencast coal mine. Tevsh Mine extracts brown coal and is 30 kilometers from Mandalgobi. The coal layer reaches 200 meters in the center.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
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