The Bogd Khan Mountain in the south of the Khentii mountain range lies
on the border between the woodland and the steppes. The southern side of the
mountain is composed of larch forest. It and its foot hills span from the east
to the west. The highest peak of the mountain is Tsetsee Gun, which is 2268 m
above sea level, and the second highest peak is Tushee Gun, which is 2256 m
above sea level.The Bogd Khan Mountain
was one of the world’s first mountains protected by the government for conservation
purpose. There’s a legend about how Van khan Tooril protected and
worshipped the mountain and he named the mountain Khan Mountain between the
12th and 13th centuries. In 1778, according to the decree of Khuree minister
Yunderdorj, Bogd Khan Mountain was determined as a conservation area protected
by the government. This decree was restated again in 1957, 1974, and 1995. Bogd
Khan Mountain plays an important role in generating Ulaanbaatar city’s pleasant
weather. Small rivers start from the 20 gaps of Bogd Khan Mountain, and some of
them flow into the Tuul river, one of the Mongolian longest river and other
small rivers reach the mountain’s skirt and sink in the soil. Bogd Khan
Mountain contains several medical hot springs, 54 species of mammal, 1660
species of insect, and 194 species of bird.
The Bogd Khan Mountain
botany is composed of cedar forest, pine forest, larch forest, and a spruce
forest which dominates the upland area of the Khentii mountain range. In total,
588 species of plant grow in the mountain. Around the Bogd Khan Mountain’s
valleys, there are many historical sites to encounter. These include
traditional rock art, ancient burial mounds and tombs.
The ancient legend of Bogd
Khan Mountain describes an ancient battle between: Bogd, the archery hero and
wrestler Chingeltei that ultimately led to the geographic features formation.
One day, Bogd the archery hero decided to take Tuul, the beautiful mermaid, as
his wife. But Chingeltei the wrestler loved her as well. The two warriors
agreed to a fight, the winner of the battle would take the beautiful mermaid
girl as a prize. After a fierce battle, Bogd the archery hero was pronounced as
a victor. Upon his defeat, Chingeltei wrestler said: “By the rule of our
agreement, you have won the right to take Tuul. However I have a request for
you, because I will always love Tuul, please take my head and place it in front
of you. For even when I’m dead I wish to be look at her” he said/. According to
Chingeltei’s request, the hero Bogd cut Chingeltei’s head off his body and
placed it in front of him. Today, this scene is represented by Zaisan hill,
Chingeltei, the wrestler, is the north mountain of Ulaanbaatar city.
