KHAR US NUUR NATIONAL PARK

About 40 kilometers east of Khovd, the "Black Water Lake" covers an area of 1,153 km². It is the second largest freshwater lake in the country. With an average depth of 4 meters, with a large island in its center, it is a favorite gathering place for many migratory birds such as wild ducks, or sedentary birds such as capercaillies or partridges.

Near this large lake, a smaller body of water, Khar Nuur, hosts many migratory pelicans. A little further on, Dorgon Nuur, a third, even smaller lake containing salt water, is surrounded by sand dunes.

The national park, 8 503 km², combines large areas of desert and semi-desert steppes, framed by snowy peaks. Its specific ecological balance and the multitude of birds that find refuge there have contributed to its classification in 1999 in the list of the Ramsar Convention (Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as a habitat for waterfowl).

At the entrance to the park, along the Khovd River in Myangad sum , resides a large ethnic community, the Myangad, numbering just over 6,000 at the last census. To the south of the park, Chandmani sum is famous for being the home of the famous khoomi singers.

If you are not motorized, the only way to get there from Khovd is to rent a car and driver for the day.