Local areas

History

Khanbogd soum of South Gobi aimag was established in 1924 under the name “Galba” at the place named Khadankhoshuunii Khar Ovoony Buuts. In 1941, Galba soum was renamed as Khanbogd by the name of Local Mountain. It has been elapsed our 90 years of history. 

Geographical features

Khanbogd soum is bordered with China in the south and with Manlai, Tsogttsetsii, and Bayan-Ovoo soums on the western and northern parts, with Khatanbulag and Mandakh soums of Dornogobi aimag on the east. World leading copper mine is located at 40km on the west from the soum center. Khanbogd soum is distanced 650km from Ulaanbaatar and 250km from the center of South Gobi Aimag. It takes the first place in Mongolia by the number of camels of Galba Gobi breeds. It has baghas such as Nomgon, Gaviluud, Javkhlant, and Bayan. 

It has a territory of 1515.2 square kilometer area of steppe and Gobi desert combination with natural sightseeing such as Undain Gobi, Baishin Tsav, Chingisiin Uurgany Nukh, Khukhuldug Tsokhio, Melkhii Khad, Gurvan Zeerdyn Agui, 3000 Khailaast, Sevkhuuliin Els, Khaalgyn Rashaan, and famous Galbyn Gobi, and so on. Under the ground, it contains rich reserves of gold and copper, and other rich facts such as giant lizards of ancient period, remnants of creepers, petrified woods etc. Galba Gobi, glorified in the Mongolian traditional songs, has many natural sightseeing such as remnants of famous three monasteries organized by Noyon Khutagt Danzanravjaa, remnants of Tsogzol Monastery, Altangerelyn Dugui, Chavgyn Agui, stomach and eye treatment spa enriched by Lovonchombo, liver and bile stones etc.      

Animals

The soum territory has many wild animals such as mountain sheep, wild goats, gazelle, and wild horses registered in the World Red Book, wolves, foxes, rabbits, lynxes, and many species of birds. 

Social and economic criteria

This soum has 4 baghas, the smallest administrative units. At soum level, 6 budget organizations are running their operational activities. 

The main economic branch is agriculture. This soum has been raising world famous camel, a pride of Galbyn Gobi, for recent years thereby winning the first place at the state level by the number of camels in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. In addition, it has been raising sheep of Gaviluud breeds with extra vertebras, Gobi Gurvan Saikhan breed goats of special cashmere sorts in order to receive their products.

“Oyu Tolgoi” deposit with rich reserves of gold and cooper that attract interests of world level major mining companies and Gashuun Sukhait border point that runs permanent cross border trade activities are located in the territory of this aimak. On basis of border customs trade and natural sightseeing in this area, tourism and mineral resources sectors can develop in this area.

This soum has restored “Monastery of Avid, God of the Wind and Sky” and Monastery of Demchig established and founded by Noyon Khutagt Danzanravjaa, the Lama of Gobi and given into the exploitation that meets the appreciation and gratitude of believers. In addition, the monastery has a monument for the famous song “Ulemjiin Chanar”. The soum is going to develop cultural tourism in this sector in further on basis of the monastery. 

Celebrities

This soum is a homeland of many celebrities such as but not limited to partisans of national revolution Khaddorj S. and Dovdoi Ts., Mongolian State Official, Doctor and Professor of Economic science Tsagaankhuu R., Doctor and Professor of Linguistics Tumurtogoo Ts., Associate Doctor of Agricultural Science Bandi N., scientists Otgon Ts. and Suglegmaa Kh., Honored Builder of Mongolia Terbish A., Top Staff of Meteorological Science Nyamtseren R., Top Staff of Trade Sector Tavanjin R., General Mongolian ex Chairman of Mongolian Emergency Authority of Mongolia Dash P., sports master in horse training Erdenesan Kh., Otgonjav Kh., Dashjav Kh., Khorolmaa Kh., Khishigbat Ts., and many other celebrities.

Nine wonders of Khanbogd Soum

Khanbogd soum supported the proposals of Buyantogtokh D. a Top Staff of State Administration Sector, a former governor of Soum, and made a resolution of Soum Civil Presidium to consider and register the following 9 areas  as “Nine Wonder of Khanbogd Soum” in order to promote the historical and cultural sightseeing in the territory of soum, to expand and develop tourism sector, and to grant children and youth with behavior and ideas to protect and love nature and environment, to respect the history and culture of the country: 

1. Khanbogd mountain
2. Galba Gobi
3. Demchogyn Monastery
4. Undui River Elms
5. Galba Ulaan Camel
6. Melkhii Tsokhio
7. Moving Rock
8. Oyu Tolgoi Deposit
9. Kharankhui Amny Khavtsal. 

Khanbogd Mountain

Since ancient time, Mongolians have been honoring and naming the higher mountain like “Khan” meaning king, while the word Bogd means the King or Saint, Giant; therefore, Khanbogd Mountain has a meaning of High and Rich.

Khanbogd Mountain is located at 35km from Khanbogd soum center between Galba Mountains at the end of Mongol Altai Mountain Ranges, elevated at 1541m above sea level, and surrounded by natural sightseeing such as Altangerelyn Dugui, Khaalgyn Tag, Uudet, Chovgyn Agui Cave, Chinggisiin Uurgany Nukh, Zuun Modny Am. There are 108 springs and 108 white Obo shrine around Khanbogd Mountain that expresses water and air of the area is saint, pure, fresh while soil and earth of the area are treasure.

Khanbogd Mountain is one of Mongolian 300 Mountains with the name of “Bogd”. Upon the restoration of worshipping on Khanbogd Mountain, Governor’s Office and Civil Presidium of Khanbogd soum has been worshipping the mountain since 1993 jointly and with the support of local residents. “The mountain nymph is a beautiful lady riding a white camel, wearing a green silk deel, and playing the flute. On a hump of the camel, there is hanging a bag for new born lambs, where a head of wild sheep lamb is arisen out of the bag.” – says a legend, which symbolizes an eternal growth of population and cattle in Galba areas. This nice Khanbogd Mountain was proclaimed one of the 9 wonders for the area. 

An interception of “Galba Ode” by Gobi Khutagt Ravjaa D.: 

Galba Mountain 

Surrounded with wonders

There is no enemy

Both internal and external...

Branches of wonderful trees are

Shaking along the wind 

Waving with parts 

Missing the wonders...

Big strong rocks

Surrounding the area 

As if it is protecting 

Through eight religious books...

Let’s worship Khan Bogd Mountain 

In this wonderful area of different Gods..

Galba Gobi

US scientist G. F. Osborn, who researched Mongolian Gobi, made a summary that Mongolian Gobi in Central Asia is a place, where a human being has first appeared. This summary has been enriched by many scientists with new and new facts and evidence. Galba Gobi is the biggest among famous 33 Gobi of Mongolia and occupies over 10 thousand square kilometer area stretched from west to the east in 200km length and 40-50km width.  Galba Gobi is elevated at 800-1000m above sea level, while it does not exceed 50-60m in hollows.  This Gobi stretches through Saglar and Daichin Gobi, Modon Ovoogyn Gobi, Tsakhiurtyn Gobi in the territory of Khanbogd soum until Khar Zagiin Gobi. Galba Gobi is mostly covered with saxaul forests while the mountains in both sides are rich with elms. Galba Gobi is named a country of the purest blue sky. In this area, the sun shining period is approximately 300-330 days. From the distance, it looks outstanding as if it is connected with the skylines and golden sands. It looks golden in the sun light while it turns into reddish brown during the sunset. An American writer Markis, who traveled through Gobi areas in 2007, states about Galba Gobi, “Mongolia is a country of wonder. A sand dune named Galba Gobi left me a strong impression. I have never seen such a wonderful desert area even if I have been traveling to many world countries to write an adventure”.

Galba Gobi has 70 thousand square meter area in 200 kilometer length and over 50 kilometer width.

Khanbogd soum area contains several areas of arte facts such as Baishin Tsav, Khuurai Tsav, Amtgai, Urelbe, and Shar Tsav. Mongolia has totally over 360 small Gobi deserts that have similar names.

Demchogyn Monastery

One of the most interesting places in South Gobi aimak is certainly World energy Center or Demchogyn Monastery.  The remnants of Demchogyn Monastery, one of many monasteries built by Noyon Khutagt Dulduityn Ravjaa, is located inside the rocks of Galba Mountain in the territory of Khanbogd soum, South Gobi Aimak. This monastery was built by Danzanravjaa as a symbol of nice future; therefore, it is sometimes named Tsogzalyn Monastery meaning Glory. Demchogyn Monastery was built with two storey monastery of Tibetan design surrounded by walls with a big door. 
On the northern part of the monastery, there is a great stupa with layers in the middle surrounded by another eights stupas and guarded by flower blossom like walls.

The name is derived from Tibetan word Demchog that means the Highest Peace. The monastery was built symbolizing a flourishing lotus. Every petal of 8 petals symbolizes one stupa having a monastery of pray in the middle. This monastery attracts interests of tourists, guests, travelers, and researchers. Next to the monastery, there is a high rock with the shape of penis that is very beneficial for ladies. It makes their family life happier and single ladies can find a spouse and children in accordance with the worships of local residents. Tourist camps have been established around the monastery. 

Undui River Elms

According to the survey, there are over 6000 elms in the territory of Khanbogd soum, South Gobi aimak. One of them is Undui River with 3000 elms.

Galba Red Camels

These camels are raised in Khanbogd soum. More than 70% of these camels are red and reddish brown.  The wool yield is 2.8-10.4 kilogram depending on the age and sex of camels that is 0.2-0.3kg more than state average.  Ration between beard and body wools is similar to the ration of Mongolian breeds camels with average ration of 25% beard and 75% body wools. Among the beard wools, 35% is from beard, 50% - from knees, and 15% - from humps, respectively.

Body wool’s length of adult camel is 10-12cm while the length of cashmere is 5-8cm. there are many female camels with 7-8kg of wools and camel stallions with 10-12kg wools. Galba Gobi camels are comparatively bigger with higher weights. The live weight of camel stallions is 630 kg (600-700) in average. The milking season lasts for 15-16 months to give 300 liter of milk.

Galba Gobi breed camels are available in South Gobi, Middle Gobi, Dornogobi, Gobisumber, and Sukhbaatar aimaks. 

Melkhii Tsokhio

There is a frog shaped cliff in the territory of Javkhlant bagha in Khanbogd soum, South Gobi Aimak. This cliff is 12m long, 8.5m wide and 4.6m tall. 

Moving Rock

According to the survey, over 80% of tourists coming into Mongolia intend to see Gobi sand and camels; however, over 2000 domestic travelers arrive in Gobi regions. A moving rock, unique not only in Mongolia, but also worldwide, is located in the territory of this soum. It is located at 20km on the south from the soum centre at the big rock near Tsogzal Monastery. It touches into the big rock by its sharp end like a hat. It has about 50 tons of weight; but it moves by the hand touch or through the strong winds. 

Oyu Tolgoi Deposit

Oyu Tolgoi deposit is a world-leading cooper and gold mine located at 650km from Ulaanbaatar City and at 40km on the west of Khanbogd soum centre. 

Kharankhui Amyn Khavtsal

There is a place named Ikh Bulgany Am in the territory of Khanbogd soum, South Gobi aimak. This area has enormous water. Near Kharankhui Amyn Khavtsal rock canyon, there is a place named Gegeetei Am.