Khögnö Khan Mountain & Övgön Monastery
Хөгнө хан уул
A granite mountain nature reserve beside the dunes, hiding the ruins of 17th-century Övgön Monastery and a rebuilt small temple in its valley
Khögnö Khan is a granite mountain about 1,967 metres high, north of Elsen Tasarkhai. It was designated a nature reserve in 1997 and is home to wild ibex and birds of prey. In the valley on its southern slope stands Övgön Monastery, founded in the 17th century. It was destroyed in 1688 by Dzungar forces under Galdan; beside the surviving ruins a small temple has been rebuilt, where a few lamas practise. You can hike up for panoramic views of the dunes and grassland, a round trip of about 3 to 4 hours. It is about 80 km from Kharkhorin and is often combined with the dunes for an overnight stay.
Opening hours
Open all day
Nearby sights
- Elsen Tasarkhai Sand Dunes
- Shankh Monastery
- Khöshöö Tsaidam Monuments & Museum
- Phallic Rock
- Erdene Zuu Monastery
- Turtle Rock
- Kharkhorum Museum
- Ruins of Karakorum