Start here · Essential guide
Mongolian Lakes, Rivers and Mountains: A Geography Primer
A plain-language overview of how Mongolia's mountain ranges, basins, rivers and lakes fit together, from the Altai and Khangai to Khovsgol and the Gobi.
Land and Nature
Lakes, Rivers and Mountains
The waters and highlands that define Mongolian geography.
Flaming Cliffs and Gobi Fossil Heritage
The red sandstone cliffs of Bayanzag in the Gobi, the 1920s dinosaur discoveries made there, and the wider story of Mongolian fossils and their protection.
Glaciers and High Peaks of the Altai
An introduction to the snow, ice and high summits of Mongolia's western Altai, including Tavan Bogd, and how glacier change and climate are discussed there.
Khentii Mountains and the Birthplace Traditions
The forested Khentii range in northeastern Mongolia, its rivers, and the sacred Burkhan Khaldun and birthplace traditions tied to the Mongol origin story.
Lake Khovsgol Ice and Winter Landscapes
What a frozen lake means in northern Mongolia: ice roads and local transport, winter culture, the ice festival, and what to know before a cold-season visit.
Lake Uvs Nuur and the Great Lakes Depression
Uvs Nuur is a large, shallow saline lake in northwest Mongolia. Learn about its basin, its mix of habitats, its World Heritage status and what visitors should know.
Orkhon Waterfall and Volcanic Landscapes
How ancient lava flows carved a gorge and waterfall on the Orkhon River in central Mongolia, and what visitors should know about the falls and nearby volcanic terrain.
Sand Dunes of Mongolia: Khongoryn Els and Beyond
How Mongolian dune fields form, why some dunes make a booming sound, and where the main dune areas of the south are, including Khongoryn Els.
Selenge River and the Baikal Watershed
The Selenge is Mongolia's largest river by flow, carrying water north to Lake Baikal. Learn about its tributaries, farmland, forests and the issues along it.
The Khangai Mountains and Hot Springs
The rounded Khangai range of central Mongolia: its geology, river sources, forests and pastures, and the hot spring areas that visitors and locals use.
Related topics
More in land and nature
Regions of Mongolia The main regions and what each is known for. Nature and Wildlife Steppe, desert, mountains, lakes and the animals living there. Seasons and Weather How climate and seasons shape travel and daily life. Protected Areas and Parks National parks, nature reserves and how protected land works in Mongolia. Wildlife Spotlights Closer looks at individual species and habitats.