For planning a trip around Balhin Chuluu, two nearby points of interest offer different perspectives: Lake Khagiin Khar, with its taiga-like mountain scenery, and granite monastery ruins at the source of the Khagiin River. The lake is all about forests and mountains, while the ruins tell the story of stone monastery buildings. Together, they provide a way to explore the surrounding area through specific natural and cultural themes.
Lake Khagiin Khar, between mountains and coniferous forest
Lake Khagiin Khar lies between Khiidiin Sairdag, KhĂĽnkher Uul and Asgatyn Sairdag, on the southern slope of a spur of the Khentii Mountains. Dense coniferous forests surround the lake, giving the landscape a taiga-like character. Together, the lake, forest and mountain ranges form a distinctive point of interest in the area around Balhin Chuluu.
The journey there has two stages: you can drive to an accessible point, then cover the rest of the way on foot or horseback. Keep this change of transport in mind if the lake is part of your travel plans.
Granite monastery ruins at the source of the Khagiin River
Granite monastery ruins stand at the source of the Khagiin River. They are among the monasteries built of stone by Mongolians in the 17th century. This nearby cultural attraction offers a different focus from the lake: here, the emphasis is on the stone construction and its historical context. If you are interested in both nature and history, you can give these two themes separate consideration when planning your trip.
Töw as a wider travel destination
Beyond Balhin Chuluu, the wider travel destination of Töw offers other natural and cultural attractions. Hustai National Park lies on the borders of the Altanbulag, Argalant and Bayankhangai sums in Töv Province. The park is home to 51 mammal species, 223 bird species, 16 fish species and two amphibian species.
The burial site of the Xiongnu elite at Noyon Uul is another archaeological attraction in Töw. It extends across the Batsumber, Bornuur and Mandal sums in Töv Province and was discovered in 1912. The site covers 129.6 hectares on Mount Kharaagiin Noyon Uul. Alongside the monastery history around Balhin Chuluu, it offers another, distinct chapter in the region’s past.
Another example is Aglag Monastery, a Buddhist temple and museum in the landscape of Mount Gariid, characterised by rock and forest formations. It displays Buddhist works of art created using traditional thangka painting, silk appliqué, gilded metal casting and papier-mâché techniques. An adventurous hiking route begins behind the temple, following a designated path secured with ropes.
When looking for a holiday rental, it helps to first define the area you want to cover on your trip: would you prefer to focus on Balhin Chuluu and nearby points of interest, or on a broader stay in Töw?
For the wider travel overview: Töw.
