Visit authentic village for caves, hot springs and amazing statues

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The village of Chandiman-Ondor, a day's drive East of Khatgal, is in a beautiful area, which would make a good exploratory trip for hardy travelers. The town also has a decent museum and dining rooms.

 

Surrounding sites include the Bulnai hot springs, about 50km north-west of town, which offers simple cabins around a former Soviet resort. Further East, 30km south-east of Tsagaan-Nuur, is the Dayan Derkhiin Agui cave, considered holy by local Buddhists and shamanists, and a nearby ruined monastery. Many Buryats live in this area. With a few days up your sleeve this could make a rough but beautiful alternative route from Khovsgol to Bulgan.
In the north-east of the aimag, the area around the Khokh, Arig and Kheven rivers, is particularly good fishing.

 

Alan Gua’s Statue

The Secret History states that Alan Gua's clan is from a place called Arig usun (= pure water), and some Mongolian authors believe that this refers to the Arig gol in Khövsgöl aimag. A statue of her, three metres high, has been erected at the river in 1992, at the confluence with the Khökhöö gol and twelve kilometres from the center of Chandmani-Öndör sum.