Orkhon

Location and Geography

Orkhon Province is centered around Erdenet city, which is considered Mongolia’s second major city and one of the country’s largest industrial hubs, located approximately 380 km from Ulaanbaatar and connected to the capital by both paved roads and railway. Of its total territory, 50.2 thousand hectares are agricultural land, 25.1 thousand hectares are urban and settlement areas, and 24.7 thousand hectares are forest resources, while 5,300 hectares are farmland and 33,700 hectares are pastureland.

Population and Culture

The province is centered around Erdenet city and is strongly associated with mining development. It has grown into Mongolia’s third largest city, marking a new stage of national development. Established as “Orkhon Province” in 1994 through administrative restructuring, Erdenet has developed rapidly since 1976 and has become the second most important city in Mongolia in terms of population and economic contribution.

Natural Attractions

Orkhon Province is home to some of the most beautiful natural sites in the Orkhon Valley, including the 22-meter-high Ulaan Tsutgalan Waterfall, the Small Waterfall, and the “Eight Lakes” connected by the earth’s natural formations, such as Sengiin Lake, Doroo Lake, Khuis Lake, and Shireet Lake. Other attractions include Mogoit mineral spring, Khyatruun mineral spring, and the Tsagaan Khoshuu site featuring ancient Turkic inscriptions, making the region an important destination for both natural and historical tourism.