Mountains, Lakes & Multicultural Heritage of Western Mongolia
Khovd (Ховд аймаг) is one of Mongolia’s most diverse and historically rich western provinces.
It lies at the meeting point of the Altai Mountains, desert valleys, and freshwater lakes — creating a region of breathtaking landscapes and unique ethnic cultures.
Khovd is famous for:
Khovd City — the cultural center of western Mongolia
Khökh Serkhiin Nuruu & Tsambagarav Mountains
Uvs & Khar-Us Lake National Parks
Kazakh, Uriankhai, Dörvöd & Torguud ethnic heritage
🏛️ Formation & Historical Background
Khovd has been a major center of Central Asian civilization for centuries.
Key Historical Timeline:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1940 | Khovd Province officially formed |
| 1600s–1900s | Khovd was a major Qing Dynasty frontier center |
| 1911 | Mongolian independence — Khovd integrated |
| 1990–2025 | Cultural revival and tourism expansion |
The province is named after the historic Khovd City, one of Mongolia’s oldest multicultural towns.
🧭 Basic Province Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Khovd Aimag |
| Mongolian Name | Ховд аймаг |
| Capital | Khovd City |
| Area | ~76,000 sq km |
| Population (2025 est.) | ~95,000 |
| Region | Western Mongolia |
| Landscape Type | Mountains, desert, river valleys, lakes |
| Time Zone | UTC +7 |
⚖️ Government & Leadership
| Position | Information |
|---|---|
| Governor of Khovd | Appointed by national government |
| Local Parliament | Citizens’ Representative Khural |
| City Mayor | Mayor of Khovd City |
The province emphasizes ethnic diversity, eco-tourism, and mountain conservation.
🗺️ Administrative Structure
Khovd Province is divided into 17 Sums (Districts):
| Sum Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Khovd City | Provincial capital & cultural hub |
| Altai | Mountain-steppe zone |
| Bulgan | Lake regions |
| Buyant | River valleys |
| Chandmani | Mineral areas |
| Durgun | Farming & fertile land |
| Erdenebüren | Lakeshore settlements |
| Jargalant | Mountain district |
| Mankhan | Ancient rock art sites |
| Möst | High mountain peaks |
| Mönkhkhairkhan | One of the highest mountains in Mongolia |
| Myangad | Desert-steppe |
| Tsetseg | Remote nomadic area |
| Üyench | Valley region |
| Zereg | Desert plains |
| Züüünkharaa | Traditional herding |
| Must | Part of the Altai mountain zone |
🌐 Geography & Environment
Khovd is one of Mongolia’s most diverse ecological regions.
Major Natural Features:
Khar-Us Lake National Park
Khar Lake
Durgun Lake
Tsambagarav Mountain (4,193 m)
Munkhkhairkhan Mountain (4,205 m)
Great Lakes Depression
Altai Mountain Ranges
It has forests, glaciers, deserts, oases, and freshwater lakes — all in one aimag.
Climate:
| Season | Description |
|---|---|
| Summer | Warm, breezy, alpine and desert mix |
| Winter | Very cold, snowy in mountains |
| Rainfall | Moderate in high areas, low in deserts |
| Landscape | Mountain peaks, lakes, desert valleys |
Wildlife includes:
Argali sheep
Ibex
Snow leopards
Wolves
Eagles
Rare migratory birds
🛡️ Leadership, Governance & Law Enforcement
Institutions include:
Khovd Police Department
Border Military Units
National Park Rangers
Environmental Conservation Staff
Emergency Rescue Teams
They protect forests, lakes, wildlife, and the multi-ethnic communities.
🕊️ Religion, Language & Culture
Khovd is one of Mongolia’s most culturally diverse provinces.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Major Religious Traditions | Tibetan Buddhism, Islam (Kazakh minority), Shamanism |
| Languages | Mongolian, Kazakh dialects |
| Ethnic Groups | Dörvöd, Torguud, Uriankhai, Kazakh, Bayad, Zakhchin, Myangad |
Cultural uniqueness includes:
Eagle hunting traditions (Kazakh community)
Old Turkic heritage
Mixed music, dance, and art styles
Multicultural festivals
📈 Economy & Key Sectors
| Sector | Notes |
|---|---|
| Livestock | Goats, sheep, yaks, camels |
| Tourism | Lakes, mountains, ethnic culture |
| Agriculture | Irrigated fields in river valleys |
| Fishing | Freshwater lakes |
| Mining | Coal, minerals (limited) |
Tourism is increasingly growing due to natural beauty and cultural diversity.
🎓 Education & Healthcare
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | Schools and colleges in Khovd City |
| University | Khovd University (western regional center) |
| Healthcare | Khovd Provincial General Hospital |
| Challenges | Remote districts & high-mountain villages |
✈️ Transport & Infrastructure
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport | Khovd Airport (domestic flights from UB) |
| Highways | Khovd → Ulgii → Ulaanbaatar routes |
| Rural Roads | Desert & mountain tracks |
| Public Transport | Buses and regional vans |
Winter roads can be difficult due to snow.
🏞️ Tourism & Attractions
Top attractions include:
Khar-Us Lake National Park
Tsambagarav Mountain
Mönkhkhairkhan Mountain
Durgun Lake
Khovd City Ethnic Cultural Museum
Eagle Hunters (Kazakh community)
Petroglyphs & ancient burial sites
Great Lakes Depression landscapes
Khovd is ideal for hikers, cultural tourists, photographers, and nature lovers.
🌍 Global Role & Relations
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Cultural Diplomacy | Ethnic Kazakh–Mongol cultural exchange |
| Eco-Tourism | International visitor growth |
| Conservation | Snow leopard & lake ecosystem research |
| Regional Gateway | Link between Bayan-Ölgii & Uvs provinces |
📝 Summary
Khovd Province is one of Mongolia’s most breathtaking and culturally rich regions —
a place where alpine peaks, freshwater lakes, desert valleys, and diverse ethnic traditions meet.
Its wildlife, mountains, and ancient heritage make it a treasure of Western Mongolia.
📢 News & Articles
“Snow Leopard Conservation Expands in Khovd”
“Cultural Festival Unites Western Ethnic Groups”
“Khar-Us Lake Tourism Growth 2025”
🎯 Our Mission
This profile is part of the AFP Global Knowledge Hub, covering global regions, cultures, and provinces.