Bogd Khan Uul Biosphere Reserve, Biosphere reserve near Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Bogd Khan Uul Biosphere Reserve is a large protected area near Ulaanbaatar covering about 67,300 hectares across the Khentii Mountains. The landscape shows a sharp contrast between the northern side with dense coniferous forests and the southern side with bare rock formations.
The area received protection as far back as the 13th century when Tooril Khan, a Kerait ruler, banned logging and hunting in the region. This early conservation effort makes it one of the oldest protected lands in the area.
The mountain holds deep significance in Mongolian Buddhism, and visitors can see evidence of spiritual practice in the form of offerings and prayer flags left at different spots. Local people continue to come here to worship and perform ceremonies that have been part of their tradition for centuries.
The reserve has several hiking trails suitable for different ability levels. The path to Tsetsee Gun summit takes about three hours to climb and reaches 2,256 meters (7,402 feet) in elevation.
The reserve is home to over 220 plant species and supports populations of musk deer, Siberian ibex, red deer, and wild boars across its varied zones. This diversity shows how different habitats within the reserve support different communities of animals and plants.
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