Please, look to the east if you are at the Chinggis Khaan International airport, but if you are at the Ulaanbaatar Railway Station, look to the south. You will see a high mountain with a thick forest. This is Mount Bogd Khan. The mountain, covered with a dense forest in all sides, looks as if a huge black vulture sitting in the middle of a vast steppe.  Up in the high you will see great peaks of beautiful granite, and down there you will see numerous valleys and gullies, rivers and streams, plants and flowers, beats and birds. Moreover, the mountain which accommodates countless rock paintings, ovoos, and other relics is considered as one of the first strictly protected areas in the world, for it was taken under protection in 1778. It lies at 2256 meters above the sea level. Now please turn to the west. The mountain you see is Songino Khairkhan, 1653 m above the sea level. It has steep front and back rocky faces but no single tree. The mountain to the north covered with trees from all sides is called Mount Chingeltei. Mount Bayanzurkh is to the east. This mountain is said to have the dog-shaped spirit, called Chidani, that favor military activities. According to the elders’ sayings, enemies usually attacked from the east; therefore, the military banner was placed in this mountain to worship, so were the soldiers. The river that runs behind the Bogdkhan mountain from the east to the west is the River Tuul /819 KM/, that flows from the Khentiikhan mountains through Ulaanbaatar to the Orkhon river. In its history, the capital city, Ulaanbaatar, had a number of names, including Urguu, Ikh Khuree, and Ulaanbaatar, that reflect various stages of its history. Readmore…