IOS 11 INTERFACE CHANGES

With no Home button, Apple has rethought the user interface on the iPhone X, and made improvements that 

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Samsung Galaxy S9 release date, news and price rumors

Update: The past week has seen plenty of interesting rumor mill candidates, including early details of

a Dex Pad, rumored to be sold alongside the revamped Samsung flagship.

Additionally, some believable renders and word that the S9 and S9 Plus are nearing production prove that this phone is getting closer and closer to its release date. Best news of all? Samsung looks set to keep the 3.5mm headphone jack with a new leak suggesting the phone will have the port along its bottom edge.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 hit stores in early 2017, so it makes sense that we're hearing about the Samsung Galaxy S9, as it might only be months away.

The rumors are coming thick and fast for what the new phone will look like and feature, so we've sifted through to bring you the information you need to know about this incoming phone, as well as answering some key questions.

And below all that you'll find our wish list of the various things we most want from Samsung's next flagship.

What's the new Samsung Galaxy S9 news?

A photo seemingly showing the Galaxy S9's back glass has leaked, as have several case renders. Plus we've heard word the Galaxy S9 will keep its 3.5mm headphone jack.

What will the Samsung Galaxy S9 price be?

We're expecting £639 / $725 / AU$1200 based on current projections, as the Galaxy S9 is likely to come in around the same price as its predecessor. Given we're not expecting massive design changes, we doubt too high a price rise.

What's the Samsung Galaxy S9 release date?

We're expecting a February or March 2018 launch. While recent rumors suggest the S9 will launch in January, that seems too early given people are locked into contract cycles. There was talk that it might be teased at CES in January, before a March launch, but Samsung has now come out and said that any showing of the S9 in January is "unlikely."

Nevertheless, recent rumors indicate that the S9 is nearing its moment to hit the production line. The wait might not be as long as we once feared.

Check out our review of the Samsung Galaxy S8 below.

Samsung Galaxy S9 price and release date

Hottest leaks:

• An early 2018 announcement

The top leaks suggests the new Samsung Galaxy S9 will be ready to go at MWC 2018 in February 2018. We've also heard another rumor pointing to a late February announcement, followed by an early March launch.

Last year's model was launched later than expected at the end of March, so it's highly possible Samsung could return to the Barcelona trade show to show off the new model.

Other recent rumors state that - due to the fact the OLED screens likely to be used in the phones are being made earlier than usual - the Galaxy S9 will launch in January, but that would seem far too early for many reasons, not least because people who bought the S8 wouldn't be eligible to upgrade to it right away.

We had heard that the Galaxy S9 might be teased in January, but then launched a little later, however Samsung has now said that a January tease is "unlikely."

What we can safely predict is that the Samsung Galaxy S9 is sure to be expensive, as the Galaxy S8 launched at $720, £689, AU$1,199.

Samsung Galaxy S9 screen

Hottest leaks:

• An in-screen scanner
• A water-repellent coating

The Bell reports unnamed industry sources saying that Samsung has been hard at work on the display panels for the Galaxy S9 since late March 2017. If true, that’s apparently about six months earlier than usual.

As for the form the screen will take, it's rumored (and likely) to retain the Galaxy S8's 18.5:9 aspect ratio.

There's also a good chance it will be the same size as the Galaxy S8, coming in at 5.8 inches, though one rumor puts it at 5.65 inches. It's also sure to be curved and continue Samsung's trend of using Super AMOLED, which delivers vibrant visuals and good contrast.

The biggest change could be an in-screen fingerprint scanner, which has been rumored. Notably the new Qualcomm Fingerprint Sensor can sit below quite thick displays, and OLED technology (used in Samsung flagship phones) was specifically mentioned.

Synaptics has also announced an in-screen scanner and mentioned not just OLED but also "infinity display" (which is what Samsung calls the S8's screen) and that it's being used on a phone made by a top five manufacturer.

All of that points to the Samsung Galaxy S9 having fingerprint-sensing technology below the glass.

Then again, one tipster claims an in-screen scanner isn't in the cards, as does another recent report, so don't count on that feature just yet.

Aside from that, in late 2016 Samsung licensed a new glass coating technology that makes water bounce off your smartphone screen. Samsung plans to include this tech in an upcoming phone, so it may mean the Galaxy S9 is much easier to use in the rain. Watch the video below to see how the technology works

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History and Ethnic Relations

Emergence of the Nation.The name "Mongol" first appears in historical records in the 10th centuryC.E.Until the late 12th

century, the Mongols were a fragmented group of warring clans. In 1162, a Mongol named Temujin was born who eventually became the leader of the Borjigin Mongol clan. After twenty years of warfare, he united most of the Mongol clans and was given the honorary title Genghis Khan ("Universal King") in 1206. The unparalleled conquests of the Mongols under Genghis Khan enabled them to expand their empire far beyond their own territories in Asia, as far as central Europe. The Mongol Empire lasted approximately 175 years, until internal conflicts caused its power to wane. In the 17th century, the former empire lost its independence and was ruled by the Manchus for 200 years. In 1911 the Manchu government was overthrown; the Mongols spent the next ten years freeing themselves from Chinese domination with Russian assistance. A decade of political and military struggles led to the Mongolian-Soviet treaty of 1921, which recognized Mongolia's independence. In 1924, the Mongolian People's Republic was officially established as the second socialist nation in the world after the U.S.S.R. Major democratizing political and economic reforms began in the late 1980s following the disintegration of the U.S.S.R. This democratic movement resulted in the emergence of

Mongolia

multiple political parties and the beginnings of a free market economy by 1990.

National Identity.National culture—including societal organization, governance, land management, cultural customs, and material culture—was largely shaped by the nomadic pastoral lifestyle. The legacy of Genghis Khan's empire is a rallying point for Mongol nationalist pride today.

Ethnic Relations.Approximately 78 percent of people are Khalkha Mongols. Minority groups include Kazakh, Dorvod, Bayad, Buriad, Dariganga, Zahchin, Urianhai, Oolld. and Torguud. The largest of these minority groups, Kazakhs make up 4 percent of the total population. Small numbers of Russians and Chinese permanently live in Mongolia. While relations between Mongols and Russians are generally warm, widespread resentment exists among Mongols for the growing presence of entrepreneurial Chinese in their country.

Read more: http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Mongolia.html#ixzz53OYIkrWy

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Sport in Mongolia

Mongolians do not partake in a large range of sports, but those sports that they do compete in, they do so passionately.

Popular sporting competitions are held in the three "manly sports" of horse racing, archery and wrestling, held around the time of their main national festival of Naadam.

The most popular sport in Mongolia is horse racing. There’s no country out there to match their undying love of horses. Traditionally the horse is one of their common methods of transportation, and racing them comes naturally and has been done for centuries. Their horse races are held over long stretches of open country, not the short racing around a track as practiced in the West. Their most famous race is the gruelling Mongolian Derby. This race is considered the World's toughest horse race, and covers 1,000 kilometres across Mongolia on semi-wild horses, recreating Genghis Khan's ancient postal system.

Archery and wrestling are two other sports also quite popular in Mongolia. Archery in the country was started around 11th century. Wrestling is also popular and you will find wrestling competitions everywhere.

Under the influence of western culture, Mongolians are starting to play football, basketball, ice hockey and many other sports. It is not uncommon to see the young people in Mongolia starting to play these sports. Swimming and skiing are also popular especially for tourists.

Below are details of sports, sporting events and sports people related to Mongolia. Is there something missing? If you know of something that should be listed here, please make a comment below.

Popular sports of Mongolia

• Football (Soccer), horse racing, archery, wrestling, basketball, ice hockey

Traditional or Regional Sports

• Mongolian Wrestling — a folk wrestling style from the Mongolian region, in which the aim is to get your opponent to touch his upper body, knee or elbow to the ground.
• Yak Polo — a Mongolian variation of the sport Polo played on yaks instead of on horses.
• Beikou Tarkbei (also called Daur Hockey) - a team sport unique to the Daur ethnic group in Inner Mongolia, that has a lot of similarities to field hockey.

Mongolia Sporting Success

Athletes from Mongolia

• Naidangiin Tüvshinbayar (judo)
• Munkhbayar Dorjsuren (shooting)
• Mönkhbatyn Davaajargal (sumo wrestling)

Mongolia Sports trivia

• Mongolian freestyle wrestlers have won the the most Olympic medals for Mongolia.

Mongolia at major events

• Mongolia at the Summer Olympics
• Mongolia at the Winter Olympics

Past sporting events hosted in Mongolia

Upcoming sporting events in Mongolia

Annual sporting events held in Mongolia

• Mongolian Derby (horse race)
• The Mongolia Premier League is the top domestic Association football competition.
• marathon in Ulaanbataar

Sporting Facilities in Mongolia

Other

• Mongolia participates in the East Asian Games.

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Pioneering in Khuvsgul Taiga Wilderness trekking tour

The trek requires moderate level of trekking as it goes through wild areas of remote taiga region.

The beauty and the wilderness of the environment are amazing. The area is not much visited by common visitors, just adventure travellers go there. Trekking adventure starts from the minute you step into a legendary Khuvsgul lake. The taiga surrounding the lake is inhabited by moose, reindeer, argali, Siberian ibex, red deer etc. As long as we forward farther the nature will present amazing untouched beauty. Wild flowers are spread between the rocks, while meadow flowers include edelweiss and many kind of herbs which are used for medical purpose by the locals. Tsagaan nuur and Darkhad valley is a low lying area with more than 200 lakes, the largest is the Tsagaan nuur lake. The area is surrounded by extensive marshland, mountains and forested hills, the natural home of Tsaatan minority reindeer people.

      Brief Itinerary

Day 1. Arrival in UB, City tour
Day 2. Flight to Murun town, Khuvsgul province
Days 3-4. Khuvsgul Lake
Days 5-7. Trekking through Jigleg Mountain Pass - the Gate of Darkhad Valley
Day 8.  Darkhad Valley
Days 9-10.  Tsagaan Lake
Days 11-12. Drive to Murun town
Day 13. Flight to UB. Shopping & Evening Cultural Performance
Day 14.  transfer to the Airport & Departure

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Mongolia Highlights tour with Naadam Festival-2018

Real off road adventure which crosses the vast Mongolian land vertically, while passing by unique wild paysages of the

nature. In a less 20 days you will encounter yourself in chilling areas of taiga, clear waters of the north, peaceful green meadows, as well as hot desert plains surrounded mighty impressive dunes of the south, so different colors like Mongolia itself. Our experienced tour team will let you explore all the wonders that this tour offers.

Another highlight of the trip is Naadam Festival and this special tour is designed to bring you into the colorful event of the year letting you to discover a lifestyle, arts and music that reflect the true national identity and culture of Mongolian people. Naadam, the national holiday of Mongolia, held annually July; great Naadam festival is a thrilling three day sporting event that has been happening for centuries and features the ‘’three sport games of men’’, horse racing, archery and wrestling.
In Chinggis Khaan’s time it happened at different times of the year, particularly in summer.
Since 1922, when Sukhbaatar ordered a naadam to mark the first anniversary of the revolution on July 11 it has been held annually 11-13 July.

All Mongolian provinces have own local Naadam festival and you can enjoy it in picturesque landscape. 

We offer you to spend most of the nights under the star dazzling skies to be settled in beautiful wild areas. 

                   Brief Itinerary

Day 1.  Arrival in UB. City tour
Day 2.  Amarbayasgalant Monastery
Day 3.  Erdenet city, Bulgan town 
Days 4-5.  Naadam Festival, Murun town, Khuvsgul Lake National Park  
Day 6.  Shine-Ider
Days 7-8  Khorgo-Terkh National Park
Day 9.  Chuluut River Valley, Tsetserleg town
Day 10.  Tsenkher Hot Spa
Day 11.  Kharkhorin, Erdene Zuu Monastery
Day 12.  Tuvkhun Monastery
Day 13.  Ongi Monastery
Day 14.  Bayanzag - the Cemetery of Dinosaurs
Day 15.  Khongor Sand Dunes
Day 16.  Yol Valley of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park
Day 17.  Baga Gazriin Chuluu
Day 18.  Back in UB 
Day 19.  Free day - Shopping & Evening Cultural Performance 
Day 20   Transfer to the Airport & Departure

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Bayan-Olgii, Mongolia

Bayan-Olgii is home to unique cultures, stunning scenery, and diverse wildlife. Eagle hunting, traditional Kazakh culture, and nomadic herding live in the shadows of the highest snow-capped

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Poaching in Mongolia

 Poaching and hunting of endangered species is a problem in Mongolia. Bears are hunted for their gall bladders, musk deer for their glands and snow

leopards for their bones to supply the Chinese medicine market. The government annually hands out licenses to hunt 300 ibex and 40 argali sheep. The feess earned the government $500,000 in the early 2000s.

Wild Bactrian Camels

 The poaching problem is blamed on ineffective laws, poor enforcement and corruption “at all management levels.” According to study entitled The Silent Steppe: The Illegal Wildlife Trade Crisis in Mongolia one of the biggest problems was the decline of the economy after and poor enforcement after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The study said: “virtually everyone was looking for a way out of this sudden poverty and, for many, wildlife, now unprotected, provided the answer.” The report went on to say, “Neighboring countries, especially China, have been the happy recipients of this new stream of wildlife product, consuming millions of animals every years and generating uncounted profits”

 Mongolia is so huge it is difficult to police the entire country. Rangers are believed to have been involved in some of the poaching. Experts think their best hope is enforcing tougher legislation aimed at curbing demand by controlling trade in animal products.

 See Different Animals Below.

 There are fewer than 900 wild Bactrian camels remaining in the wild. They live in three small populations: 1) one on the Mongolian-China border; 2) far western China; and 3) in the Kum Tagh desert. They are threatened by poaching, wolves and illegal mining. Some illegal miners have placed explosives at water holes to blow up camels.

 Ancestors of the domestic camel, wild Bactrian camels are slimmer and less wooly and have smaller conical humps than domesticated Bactrian camels. They stand 172 centimeters at the shoulder. Males weigh 600 kilograms and females weigh 450 kilograms. They eat grasses, leaves and shrubs.

 Wild Bactrian camels live on the arid plains, hills and desert in Mongolia and China. They can survive on shrubby plants and no water for 10 days. They follow migratory paths across the desert to oasis and feed in tall grasses.

 Female Bactrian camels travel in small groups with six to 20 members. Males are often solitary but will unite with a female group in the mating season if strong enough to fend off rivals. During the the rutting season males puff out their cheeks, toss their heads, slobber and grind their teeth. Mother Bactrian camels give birth alone. The gestation period is 13 months. Usually one calf, sometimes two, are born. Young can walk almost immediately. After about a month of seclusion mother and young join the group with other females. Young nurse for one to two years.

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Wild Animals in Different Regions of Mongolia

 

Natural vegetation in the Altai region includes steppe grasses, shrubs and bushes and light forests of birch, fir, aspen, cherry, spruce, and

 pines, with many clearings in the forest. These forest merge with a modified taiga. Among the animals are hare, mountain sheep, several species of deer, bobac, East European woodchucks, lynx, polecat, snow leopard, wolves, bears, Argali sheep, Siberian ibex, mountains goats and deer. Bird species include pheasant, ptarmigan, goose, partridge, Altai snowcock, owls, snipe and jay, In the streams and rivers are trout, grayling and the herring-like sig.

 The Mongol word Gobi can mean desert, depression, salt marsh, or steppe, but which usually refers to a category of arid rangeland with insufficient vegetation to support marmots but with enough to support camels. Gobi wildlife includes wild asses, dzeran (Mongolian black and white tail gazelles), argali (wild sheep), snow leopard, steppe fox, Gobi desert bear, desert ibex, cranes, wild camels, eagles, hawks, and buzzards. In some palces there are thousands of gopherlike marmots and black tailed gazelles. Since the early 20th century, the Gobi has been known as one of world's premier dinosaur hunting sites.

 Wildlife found in the central and northen forest areas of Mongolia include wolf, wild boar, elk, roe deer, brown bear, wild cat, musk deer, marmot, muskrat, fox, steppe fox and sable. In the lakes there are Dalmatian pelicans, hooded cranes, relict gulls, shelducks and bare-headed geese. The taiga forests are the same as the taiga that dominate Siberia.Trees found here include Siberian larch, which can reach a height of 45 feet, birch trees and Siberian and Scotch pine. As one travels from north to south the forest become slightly less dense.

 Khustain Nuruu (60 miles southwest from Ulaan Baatar) is home to Asiatic red deer, wolves, boar, wild cat, wolf, lynx and gazelles. Deer and gazelles are often spotted but sightings of the other animals are rare. The nearly extinct Mongolian wild takhi horse was re-introduced in the grasslands and birch forests here in 1993.

 There is a lot of wildlife in the Lake Khovsgol area, including 68 species of mammals, including moose, wolves, bears, sable, marmots and deer, nine species of fish, and scores of bird species, including storks and cranes. The Buriat, Darkand and Tsaatan minorities have traditionally lived around the lake. The Tsaatan reindeer herders have traditionally lived in the mountains to the northwest of the lake. There reindeer are not allowed in the park around the lake because of the damage they cause.

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ANIMALS IN MONGOLIA

The diverse habits of Mongolia—including deserts, steppes, mountains and taiga forests—and lack of humans translates to a wide variety of animal life, 

including 136 species of mammal, more than 400 species of birds, 76 species of fish, 8 types amphibians and 22 reptiles. Animals found in Mongolia include endangered Mongolian argali sheep, ibex, snow leopards, wolves, and herds of gazelles that can run fast 45mph. Animals encountered on the steppe include wolves, rabbits and antelope.

 Among the 28 endangered species of mammal in Mongolia are the argali sheep, ibex, snow leopards and wild ass. The Gobi bear is extremely endangered. Only a few dozen are left. The Pallas cat, a yellowish wildcat about the size of a large house cat, is one of the rarest feline species.

 Studies have show that populations of some wild animals has declined markedly since the collapse of the Soviet Union. By some estimated the populations of endangered species—argali sheep, bears, Asiatic wild asses—have dropped by 50 to 90 percent. The Mongolian Constitution states that wildlife is a common resource of all the people. Even so little effort has been to regulate and control hunting and the trade of wild animal furs, hides and body parts.

 Mongolia's forests and steppes abounded with animals that were hunted for their fur, meat, and other products in the late 1980s. Fur-bearing animals included marmots, muskrats, squirrels, foxes, korsak (steppe foxes), and wolves, which were hunted, and such animals as deer, sable, and ermine, which were raised on state animal farms. Animal pelts were exported in large numbers. In 1985 Mongolia exported more than 1 million small hides, which included some of the 763,400 marmot pelts, 23,800 squirrel skins, 3,700 wolf skins, and other furs. Marmot also was hunted for its fat, which was processed industrially. Mongolian gazelles were hunted for their meat, and red deer, for their antler velvet. Organized hunting of wild sheep was a foreign tourist attraction. [Source: Library of Congress, June 1989 *]

 Book: Mongolia’s Wild Heritage (1999) by Christopher Finch.

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Arkhangai Hotels Mongolia

Arkhangai province is located on the backside of the Khangai mountain range in central part of Mongolia and established in 1931.

The province has an estimated population of 104300 inhabitants including all 19 towns. The capital of the province is Tsetserleg, which is notably more attractive than most Mongolian cities.

The landscapes of the Arkhangai province are deeply marked by its old volcanic activity. In the midst of verdant hills, numerous lava flows and hot springs can be spotted. Also, it is a special place with beautiful formation of nature and tourist attractions, such as:

Khorgo Mountain and White lake - Khorgo is a basalt huge volcanic crater, about 200m wide and 100m deep and Terkhiin Tsagaan is one of the most beautiful lakes in Mongolia, protected since 1965. 

Chuluut river - flows through a sheer basalt canyon which extends for around 100Km from the mouth of the Teel River to the Atsat.

Taikhar chuluu -150 ancient inscriptions created since 6-8th century on the huge rock. These inscriptions included poems, wishing words and blazons, written in Uighur, Kidanian, Tibetan and Mongolian script.

Lake Ogii - wonderful place for birdlife - cranes and ducks, to name just a few species, migrate to the area around late April and also renowned for its fishing.

Khushuu Tsaidam - left of the Turkish State is the 3 meter high inscribed monument of the famous general Kultegin (684-731).The monument was raised in AD 732 and is inscribed in Runic and Chinese script.

Arkhangai is one of the provinces which has very important role in Mongolian tourism field. According to the news of Nature and Tourism department of Arkhangai province by August 2010, 15950 tourists visited in this region and 42.7% of them were from abroad. 4 main hotels, named Naran hotel, Sunder hotel, Zamchin hotel and Ar-Arvis hotel has received 1129 foreign and 1592 local tourists in 2010.The newest hotel in Tsetserleg city is Buyan hotel. These hotels are all yet rated and have 3-19 rooms and 10-50 beds. Zamchin hotel is property of State and other 3 are private hotels locate in the center of the Tsetserleg city. They have 3 types of hotel rooms, standard, semi deluxe and deluxe. Normally deluxe and semi deluxe rooms have shower, bath, fridge, jug kettle and cable TV inside of room. Hotels have restaurants and offer Mongolian and European hot dishes.

However, as it is almost impossible to book local hotels directly, Mongolian Online Hotels Network is connected with hotels in every province. So you can book your Local Hotel online and we will be the bridge between YOU and your local HOTEL. 

The following Hotel is our contracted partner hotel in Tsetserleg city, Arkhangai province. Although local hotels are not yet Real Time Online, you can book in 2 business days and we will inform you about availability of local Hotel via your email.

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THE REGIONS OF MONGOLIA ARKHANGAI AIMAG.

Arkhangai has astounding scenery: wide rivers full of fish, several volcanoes and volcanic lakes, extensive forests, and pastures where yak thrive.

 It also boasts the stunning lake Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur, the ruins of several ancient kingdoms and probably the nicest aimag capital in the country. The ethnic groups are the Khaikh and the Oold.

Arkhangai aimag is situated in the central part of the Khangai mountain range and its territory comprises mountains, steppe and plains. The average altitude of the aimag is 7,920 feet (2,414 m) above sea level. The highest point is Kharalagtai peak clad in eternal snow at 11,611 feet (3,539 m) above sea level, while the lowest point is the area of the confluence of the Orkhon and the Tamir rivers at 4,232 feet (1,290 m) above sea level. Soil is mainly scattered grey and black soil of mountain meadows and forests. Over 70 percent of the territory of the aimag is pasture land, almost 2 percent with hay fields, about 1 percent with sown area, and 15 percent of the territory is covered with deciduous and coniferous forest. There are ibex, wild sheep, snow leopards, lynx, musk stags, bears in the mountains, and marmots, susliks, foxes in the steppe. Several peaks rest under eternal snow throughout the four seasons such as Suvraga, Noyon, and Khan-Undur, Khanui, Khunui. Orkhon, Chuluut, South and North Tamir rivers gush from high Khangai mountain range and the Uigii, and Terkh fresh water lakes. These rivers and lakes teem with taimen, grayling, scale, and perch. There are many springs such as the Khadat, Mukhar Khujirt, Bora tal, Tsagaan somon, Beikh, and many beautiful places like Khorgo and Taikhar Chuluu Rock. Around 1,700 species of flora can be found in the territory of the province of which 20 percent are medical herbs. Rare species include roseroot, pheasant eye, and sausserea involucrata. Arkhangai aimag is rich in historic places. There have been many finds from the Old Stone Age in the basin of Orkhon, Tamir, Chuluut rivers, inscriptions of the Bilge Khan and Kul-Tegena at Tsaidam monuments in the Taikhar Chuluu and the Khashaat somon. Impressive are the ruins of the ancient capital city of the Uighur Khanate in Khotont somon. The agriculture sector dominates the economic activities of the aimag. There are about 45 square miles of arable land, used for growing cereal, potatoes, and other kinds of vegetables. Local farmers harvest over 20,000 tons of grain annually.

Much of Arkhangai, which means 'north Khangai', is on the northern slope of the spectacular Khangai Nuruu mountain range. These are the second highest mountains in Mongolia and are protected by the Khangai Nuruu, Noyon Khangai and Tarvagatain Nuruu national parks. The range is well watered, so expect lovely forests, meadows and plenty of streams to quench your thirst, but it also floods, so expect muddy roads and even snowfalls in the summer.

Another drawback is that the aimag, particularly along the road between Tsetserleg and Ulaanbaator, is notoriously bad for flies in summer - take repellent or you will live to regret it. If the flies make your life a misery, you can always indulge in fermented mare's milk, airag (Arkhangai is renowned for the quality of it's airag).

One jeep road runs in an east-west direction through the aimag between Ulaanbaatar and Tosontsengel in Zavkhan aimag via Tsetserleg; another from Kharkhorin joins at Tsenkher. The Kharkhorin to Tosontegel road is currently being upgraded with World Bank money. From the roads in Arkhangai look out for small rock formations. These are ancient gravesites, which may even predate Chinggis Khaan.

PLACES TO VISITED.

• Tsetserleg. Elevation 1691m. Tsetserleg is the only aimag capital in Mongolia that could, at a pinch, be called beautiful (Tsetserleg means garden). The town is ringed by scenic mountains, the streets are tree-lined and a lovely little temple overlooks the town.
  Tsetserleg is a good place to break up your journey if you are combining a visit to Kharkhorin and/or Khujirt with a trip to Terkhiin Tsagaan or Khovsgol Nuur. Maybe it's the mountain air, but the people of Tsetserleg seem to be friendlier than in other aimag capitals.
   
• The Museum of Arkhangai Aimag is one of the best in the country. It's housed in the temple complex Zayayn Gegeenii Sum, which was first built in 1586 but expanded in 1679, when it housed five temples and up to 1000 monks. Miraculously, the monastery escaped the Stalinist purges because it was made into a museum. The main hall concentrates on features of traditional Mongolian lifestyle, with exhibits of costumes, traditional tools, a ger, musical instruments, weaponry and saddles. The second hall concentrates on religious icons. The last hall focuses on local artwork.
  Further up the hill there is a small abandoned temple. Behind the temple is a large, nearly vertical, rocky hill called Bulgan Uul, where there are some Buddhist inscriptions.
  At street level the Buyandelgeruulekh Khiid is now the town's main functioning monastery.
   
• Ogii Nuur. On the road between Ulaanbaatar and Tsetserleg, near the border with Bulgan aimag, the lake Ogii Nuur is a wonderful place for birdlife - cranes and ducks, to name just a few species, migrate to the area around late April. The lake is also renowned for its fishing (and the bugs by the lake shore!).
  The lake and Khar Balgas ruins can only be reached from the direct road linking Tsetserleg with Ulaanbaatar. You can visit them on a day trip from Khujirt or Kharakhorum if you have your own transport, but they're not easy detours. The lake makes a nice overnight break between Ulaanbaatar and Tsetserleg.
   
• Khar Balgas. The ruined citadel of Khar Balgas (Kara Balgasun in Turkic) is in Khotont sum on the banks of the Orkhon Gol. The city was founded in AD 751 as the capital of the Uighur khanate, which ruled Mongolia from 745-854.
  There's not much to see except the outer walls (with gates in the North and South), a Buddhist stupa and the ruler's kagan, or castle, in the south-west corner. From the walls you can see the rows of stupas on either side of the walls and the remains of irrigated fields in the surrounding countryside.
   
• Kultegin Monument. When Chinggis Khaan decided to move his capital to Kharakhorum, he was well aware that the region had already been capital to successive nomad empires. About 20km north-east of Khar Balgas (as the crow flies) lies the remainder of yet another of these pre-Mongol empires, the Turkic khaganate. All that's left of the khaganate is the 3m-high inscribed monument of Kultegin (684-731), the khagan (ruler) himself. The monument was raised in AD 732 and is inscribed in Runic and Chinese script. You can see a copy of the stele in the entrance of the National Museum of Mongolian History.
  Just over 1km away is another monument to Bilge Khagan (683-734), younger brother of Kultegin. Ten years after the death of Bilge the Turkic khaganate was overrun by the Uighurs.
   
• Taikhar Chuluu. The nondescript town of lkh Tamir is 22km along the main road west of Tsetserleg. The reason to stop here is to inspect the enormous Taikhar Chuluu rock formation. The rock is the subject of many local legends, the most common one is that a great baatar, or hero, crushed a huge serpent here by hurling the rock on top of it. Locals claim there are some ancient Tibetan inscriptions on the rock, though you'll be lucky to spot them through 30 years of Mongolian graffiti. There is even an ovoo at the top.
   
• Horgo Uul and Terhiin Tsagaan Nuur area has been protected since 1965. The area covers 773 square kilometers in total. The dead volcano of Horgo stands on the Lake of Terhiin Tsagaan, 180 kilometers from Tsetserleg town, the center of Arkhangaiaimag. Horgo is covered with basalt. There is a huge volcanic crater, about 200 meters wide and 100 meters deep. There is an interesting sight trickily called "Basalt Ger" on the southern slope, a bubble of solidified lava formation. Several more volcanoes are nearby.
   
• Surrounded by extinct volcanoes, Terhiin Tsagaan Nuur  is one of the most beautiful lakes in Mongolia. Located at an altitude of 2,060 meters, the lake occupies an area of over 300 square kilometers. The beautiful crystal clear water lake is renowned for its fish and bird life. Pike is found in plenty and bird species including ruddy shelduck and great cormorant are common.

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