TERELJ NATIONAL PARK AND THE EAST
The picturesque Terelj National Park is one of Mongolia’s most visited destinations, attracting both domestic and international travelers. Just about an hour’s drive east from Ulaanbaatar on a paved road, Terelj offers stunning landscapes of massive granite mountains and sculpted rock formations set amid endless grassy meadows dotted with wildflowers and groves of trees. Winding rivers add to the park’s serene and enchanting scenery.
To the northeast, Gorkhi-Terelj National Park connects with the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area, encompassing more than 12,000 sq km at elevations up to 1,600 meters. Millions of years ago, this region was submerged beneath an ancient ocean. The collision of continents created dramatic granite formations, which over time were sculpted by wind and water into remarkable shapes, such as the famous Turtle Rock.
Local legends and stories have grown around these unusual formations, giving them a sense of magic and cultural significance. Scientifically, these shapes are the result of spheroidal, or “woolsack,” weathering. The mountains of Gorkhi-Terelj are composed entirely of granite massifs, containing hundreds of pegmatites, many of which have been revered throughout history and continue to inspire awe today.
TERELJ MEANS "RODENDOREM"
Terelj is home to a remarkable flower known for its calming properties. Its natural compounds can help soothe the central nervous system, boost immunity, and alleviate fatigue or sleeplessness. Blooming in the spring from May to July in the eastern buffer zone of Terelj, this flower offers a rare and rejuvenating experience for visitors.
The park hosts over 1,150 identified plant species, yet it takes its name from the rhododendron, whose vibrant, captivating blooms have inspired generations. Visitors searching for this flower usually spend no more than 20 minutes among the clusters, savoring its beauty and therapeutic effects.
However, caution is advised: the flower emits a toxic substance called andromedotoxin, which can be harmful to people with high blood pressure or heart conditions.
A COZY PLACE TO STAY
Since socialist times, Gorkhi-Terelj National Park has been a popular holiday destination, originally served by government-owned hotels. Today, the park features a range of modern camps and lodges designed for the comfort of international visitors. Among them, Terelj Hills Lodge stands out as one of the most sought-after, attracting both domestic and foreign tourists with its exceptional location, delicious cuisine, cozy accommodations, and attentive service.
GORKHI TERELJ NATIONAL PARK AND KHAN KHENTII STRICTLY PROTECTED AREA
The Gorkhi Terelj National Park was established and taken into the national protected area network in 1993, in order to protect the natural landscapes, such as mountains, cliffs, and rivers, to regulate tourism and appropriately use and protect natural resource. The park has plenty of historical, cultural, and natural attractions. Such as the basin of rivers Terelj and Zaan Terelj is the motherland of Chinggis khaan’s ancestors and descendants. In the 17th century, the territory was part of the historical site of the Manchu dynasty and Mongolia’s relation. On the west side of the mountain, down along the Terelj river, there is a small valley at the cross-section of the rivers Terelj and Tuul, where the old Mongolian capital “Ikh Khuree” (now Ulaanbaatar) was located between 1733-1734. Water and smoke amethyst was found in Terelj and was mined until the 1960s and it is closed because of encroachment depth in the area, it stopped mining.
The northern part of Gorkhi Terelj is sparsely populated in the valleys of the upper Tuul and Terelj rivers.
In contrast, the southern section has a population more than 200 families (some 1000) people, half of whom live in the village of Terelj. Tourism employees living in the park permanently or seasonally. In the summer season an unknown number of people from outside to move into the park to participate in the tourism business
FAUNA AND FLORA
The wildlife of Gorkhi-Terelj National Park is similar to that of the nearby Khan Khentii region. More than 50 mammal species inhabit the park, including endangered musk deer (Moschus moschiferous), moose (Alces alces), brown bears (Ursus arctos), wolves (Canis lupus), and sables (Martes zibellina). To date, 253 bird species and 50 fish species have also been recorded.
Several mountains in the park rise between 2,500 and 2,800 meters, with permanent snow and ice on the highest peaks. The climate is milder than in higher-altitude regions, making the area more accessible for visitors.
Three major river systems originate in the protected area: the Tuul River, which flows north into Russia’s Lake Baikal and eventually reaches the Arctic Ocean; and the Onon and Kherlen Rivers, which flow eastward to join the Amur River before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. Many of Mongolia’s largest cities, including Ulaanbaatar, rely on water sourced from the Khentii Mountains. The Tuul River, originating in the high mountains of Minjiin Khangai, collects water from small lakes and mountain streams before passing through Kherkhluur Lake and eventually reaching Ulaanbaatar as the city’s primary source of drinking water.
The mountain steppe is exceptionally rich in both species and colors. Plants from across the continent coexist here: Arctic tundra and northern coniferous forest species grow alongside typical Mongolian steppe grasses, while herbs from the Manchurian steppe extend into the area from the east. In total, over 1,150 plant species have been identified, reflecting a unique combination of taiga and steppe ecosystems.
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO AT THE TERELJ NATIONAL PARK
The Gorkhi Terelj national park offers great opportunities for hiking, zipline, kayaking, rafting, archery, trekking, hiking, rock climbing, swimming. Horse and camel riding are one of the popular activities. ATV, flying by helicopter is becoming more popular recently. Visiting a nomad family and experience a real nomad way of living while you make some cheese and milk cow can be fun, seeing the natural landscape is calming. A park also has a souvenir shop that you can find Mongolian handmade goodies that you can save time shopping in the city. For hardcore extreme winter sports fanatics-skiing and dog sledding in the depth of winter is also offered.
1. TURTLE ROCK
With the collision, the most interesting gigantic turtle rock formations of granite rocks are formed. Over time, wind and water, shaped it nicely. It is 24m (79feet) high located at foothills of a mountain.
2. ARYABAL MEDITATION TEMPLE
Aryabal Tibetan style meditation temple was built in the shape of an elephant’s head in 1998-2004 on a steep hill with natural energy. 108 stone stairs will lead you to the temple and 108 small stupas were placed around the temple. The number 108 is an auspicious number in Buddhism. The Temple is open all year around for the visitors who would like to meditate, you will find many beautiful flowers and an amazing view in the valley. This area has the best place to find flower rich valleys.
3. THE GUINNESS RECORD-HOLDING EQUESTRIAN STATUE
A 13th-century theme park where you travel back in time to visit the establishments of the Great Mongolian Empire. There are 6 different camps and tribes of the empire and it is the only place you can visit the ancient micro kingdom. They are Relay station camp, Craftsman camp, Educational camp, Herder’s camp, Shaman’s camp, and King’s palace. The complex has the environment of tourism attractions, ger camps, farms, statues, and traditional entertainment areas, all in the real lifestyle of the 13th-century era.
4. MANZUSHIR MONASTERY
It is a former Buddhist monastery established 1722 and destroyed by communists in 1937. Most of the area surrounding the monastery is part of the “Bogdkhan uul” strictly protected area which contains abundant wildlife, streams and cedar trees. Today the monastery serves as tourist and hiking destination with an old site hostel. The monastery ruins were returned to the Buddhist church and the surviving objects within the monastery complex (the restored temple, the remains of walls and buildings, images of Buddhist deities and sacred inscriptions on the rocks) continue to be revered as objects of worship.
5. KHAN KHENTII STRICTLY PROTECTED AREA
To the northeast, Gorkhi-Terelj National Park joins the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area, comprising more than 12,000 sq km of the Töv, Selenge and Khentii provinces in eastern Mongolia. Strictly Protected Areas are regions of land designated by the Mongolian government as wildlife preservation areas. The colorful and magnificent alpine scenery is just beautiful to feel.
6. STAR GAZING
Terelj National Park is ideal for those who want to experience an exceptional star gazing opportunity in the Mongolian countryside. You will see how beautiful Mongolian nature is, unique nomadic traditions, and a vast, stary sky without traveling hundreds of kilometers away from the city. Located just 60 km (37 miles) outside the city.
7. CAMPING AT MONGOLIAN GER
To date back some 2,500 years, the simplicity and efficiency of the ger is still kept its culture yet in modern time it converted from authentic accommodation into hotel styled ensuite tourist ger camp facilitated with toilet, shower and electricity with comfortable bedding. During the pandemic time, this kind of individual ger meets the need of traveler. It provides your health, safety and wellbeing. This luxury ger camp is surprisingly close to Ulaanbaatar. At the same time, you can enjoy fine dining in a lodge restaurant.
8. HORSE RIDING
Gorkhi Terelj National Park is the right place for horseback riding and exploring wide-open meadows and rolling hills, trails along rivers, over forested passes, down through high grasses to discover another valley. Explore the hills and grasslands, rock formations rising from the steppe.
10. ZIPLINE
You can soar through the air on a 430 m zipline in Terelj national park to see an unparalleled panoramic view if the stunning mountain peaks. This is the only large scale zipline in Mongolia.
13 TH CENTURY COMPLEX
13th century theme park where you travel back in time to visit the establishments of the Great Mongolian Empire. There are 6 different camps and tribes of the empire and it is the only place you can visit the ancient micro kingdom. They are Relay station camp, Craftsman camp, Educational camp, Herder’s camp, Shaman’s camp and King’s palace. The complex has the environment of tourism attractions, ger camps, farms, statues and traditional entertainment areas, all in real lifestyle of 13th century era.