Population:        73400   
Density:        0.59
Province center:    Choibalsan town (661km from Ulaanbaatar city)


Area:            123600km2
Population:        73400   
Density:        0.59
Province center:    Choibalsan town (661km from Ulaanbaatar city)

Geographical location
Dornod province has an area of 123600 square kilometers, bordering with Russia on its north side and with China on the east and south-eastern part, with Suhbaatar province on western and south western side and with Hentii province on its western parts. With relatively good infrastructure and transportation, Dornod province is the closest one to Asia-pacific countries. The center of the province-Choibalsan town is 661km from Ulaanbaatar city.

Population
Its populations comprises of ethnic groups including Halh, Buriad, Barga, Uzemchin, Urianhay, Ould and Kazakh. The province center has population of 40000.

Flora and fauna
10 percent of flora registered in Mongolia’s red book, over 40 kinds of herbs and 10 kinds of useful plants grow here. Also plants with various ether oils that don’t grow in any other countries grow in Mongolia only. These herbs and green plants, which have pleasant odor could be used for pharmaceutical industry for making drugs to cure respiratory and inflammation diseases, to vitalize skin and to protect any rays.

Some features         
o    Dornod province is the homeland for many famous figures such as Mongolian Marshall and twice a hero H.Choibalsan and Folk Writer Ts.Damdinsuren.
o    The main battlefield of war of 1939 is located in Halh-Gol.
o    You can see a vast steppe in Dornod province. 

Sightseeing
Dornod Mongolian preserve. The area was taken into reservation at the Resolution of State Baga Hural in 1992 with the purpose of protecting Hyalganat ecosystem and inhabitance of white antelopes. This preserved area covers 570.3 thousand hectares of land involving territories of Matad, Halhgol and Erdenetsagaan soums. There are sand hills and beautiful legendary mountains in the reserved land. In addition there are 153 flora species and 26 kinds of mammals, of which 2 have been registered in the Red Book. Moreover, some scarce birds like falcons fly through the area during passing.

Mongol Daguur preserve. In 1992 this area was reserved with purposes of protecting the wild nature, steppe, water and swampy areas where flora and fauna especially passing and aquatic birds inhabit and conducting researches and studies. It was expanded as joint Mongolia-Russia-China Daguur reservation area in 1994 and was included in the international network areas of protecting Northeast Asian cranes. The reservation area covers 103 thousand hectares of land including Chuluunhoroot, Dashbalbar and Gurvanzagal soums. Black, white and other kinds of scarce cranes which inhabited in Northeast Asia lay their eggs here and gather in large number during passing.

Numrug preserve. This reservation area that covers 311.2 thousand hectares of land in woody and steppe regions of Hyangan Mountain ranges along the state border was established in 1992 with purposes of protecting flora and fauna, as well as watersheds. The area is home for some scarce species of reindeers, snakes, moles, otters, brown bears, wild ducks, eagles, falcons, cranes and condors.

The Yahi Lake national park. This area was taken into preservation in 1998 with purposes of protecting the area through which white antelopes and aquatic birds pass. 251’388 hectares of land covering areas near border lines of Choibalsan, Sergelen and Gurvanzagal soums belong to this reserve. Here, one may find animals such as white antelopes, wolves, marmots and steppe fox, migratory and sedentary birds like bird of prey and vultures, rocky hills, valleys and mountains.

Ugtam Mountain national park. The Ugtam Mountain was taken into reservation in 1993 with purposes of keeping the wild nature still, protecting and recovering its flora and fauna. This mountain lies in Bayandun and Dashbalbar soums.

Toson Hulstai national park. Surrounding Toson Hulstai Lake, 4700km2 areas in Tsagaan-Ovoo, Hulunbuir and Bayantumen soums was taken into reservation in 1998 as the main reservation for white antelopes to grow. There are scarce herbals such as prickled roses, orchids and Siberian stipa gobica among popular herbs and plants of 25 kinds and 80 species. Also, there are scarce kinds of cranes, steppe bustards and hedgehogs.

Historical sightseeing

There are historical sightseeing including ruins of Herlen bar city of Kidan period of the 11th century in the northern side of the Herlen River in Tsagaan Ovoo soum, Wall route of Chinggis Khan crossing Bayan-Uul, Bayandun, Dashbalbar and Gurvanzagal soums, Ih Burhant complex, created between 1859 and 1864 which is 35km from Halhgol soum, stone figures of Tureg period at Shonh tavan tolgoi, the Hiimori Gobi in Matad soum, stone figures in Hutsuu in Naran and Sergelen soums, ruins of Count Savaa, fighter for freedom in Sergelen soum, artificial mountain, created by the Count Togtohtur of Ilden Hoshuu in Tamsagbulag, Halhgol soum, the Utai Tavan Mountains, Turtle rock or Ger rock, recorded in the Secret History of Mongolia.

In Halhgol soum, you may find battlefield of the year 1939, Hanan statue, statue for Yakovlev, statue for Mongolian border troops, Statue complex for Victory, commanding point of G.K.Jukov, the Commander of Red Army Corpus, entrenchment of L.Dandar where he has been confessed his title of Hero of Mongolia and the place where M.Ekey has been awarded with Hero of Mongolia.

There are many statues in Choibalsan town such as statues for H.Choibalsan, twice a hero and Marshall of Mongolia, Soviet pilots, Ts.Damdinsuren, Folk Author, Burte Ujin, poet Z.Nyamsuren, N.F.Gastello, Soviet Hero, General Kurilatkin and Memorial statue at the place where Byantumen town had been bombed, as well as tombs of Soviet troops.

Transportation   
Between soums there is a transport and communications office and private vehicles serve for passengers whereas within the town there are 20 microbuses carrying passengers. Individuals with private cars render taxi services.
Shopping-What to buy?
Dornod province is the place where different kinds of fruits are abundant. In addition, cranberry wine named “Onon grove”, which is produced in this province, is pretty popular. Also, import goods are cheaper and more sufficient since it borders with China.

Communications
There are 9 hotels, 5 restaurants, 14 bars, 18 café and 30 canteens in Choibalsan town. KHAAN Bank operates in every soum and the province center, and branches of XAC, Zoos, Golomt, Mongol Post and Trade and Development Bank provide their services in Choibalsan. You can use international money transferring service-Moneygram here. Mongolian telecommunications company operates everywhere in the province, whereas Mobicom and Skytel provide mobile phone services in Choibalsan only.