Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The vast grasslands of Dariganga are speckled with volcanic craters, small lakes and
sand dunes, the sum of which makes the area one of the most scenic in eastern Mongolia.
Before communism this area was a haven of aristocracy and its grasslands were the royal
grazing grounds of horses belonging to the emperor in Bĕijīng. Silversmiths and black-
smiths made their homes here, providing local women with elaborate, fine jewellery that
now features prominently in Ulaanbaatar's National Museum. These days, Dariganga is
all about sacred mountains - one in town, and the other - Shiliin Bogd Uul - a shortish
drive away. With a jeep and a good driver you can also explore the lakes, volcanoes,
caves, sand dunes and ancient stones nearby.
Sights
Altan Ovoo
MONUMENT
(Golden Ovoo; GPS: N 45°18.690', E 113°50.180')
The skyline of the neat little town of
Dariganga - one of the few in Mongolia where the streets actually have names and num-
bers - is dominated by Altan Ovoo, a wide former crater topped by a
stupa
, which only
men are allowed to visit. The stupa was built in 1990 on top of the ruins of the original
Bat Tsagaan stupa, which was built in 1820 and destroyed in 1937. At the base of the
flat-topped hill there are a couple of stupas that women are allowed to visit, and they do
so with gusto, making copious offerings.
Ovoon Khiid
BUDDHIST MONASTERY
In the village you can visit the small Ovoon Khiid, which was built in 1990 (and prob-
ably not repainted since) and is served by a handful of monks.
Balbals
MONUMENTS
In the steppe around the town there are dozens of broken
balbals
(stones carved into
roughly human shape) - mostly dating back to the 13th- or 14th-century Mongol period.
According to tradition, you should place an offering of food in the cup held in the
statue's left hand. The three main
balbal
sights, on the north edge of town, consist of the
the
King and Queen
(GPS: N 45°18.507', E 113°51.711')
, the nearby
Son
(GPS: N 45°18.541', E
113°51.221')
and, finally, a short walk away, the
Bride
(GPS: N 45°18.512', E 113°51.214')
to
whom women make offerings if they want to have healthy babies.
Ganga Nuur
LAKE
(GPS: N45° 15.994', E113° 59.874'; per person/car T1500/500)
Ganga Nuur is about 13km
southeast of Dariganga. From the end of September until mid-October it is home to thou-
