Lake Khubsugul

The second largest lake in Mongolia, Khubsugul, is located near the border with Russia and is directly connected to our Lake Baikal. However, this is not why Khubsugul is called the younger brother of the Pearl of Siberia.

The length is approximately 136 km.
The maximum width is about 39 km, the average is much less.
The area is 2,620 km2.
The maximum depth reaches 262 m. This makes it one of the deepest lakes in Asia.
The average depth is 120 m.
The volume of water is 381 km3.

It is not for nothing that Lake Khubsugul is located only 230 km from Lake Baikal, has a similar crescent shape, huge depths and asymmetrical underwater slopes. The fact is that both reservoirs fill the same rift zone (that is, a deep fault in the earth's crust), only Baikal is its central part, and Khubsugul is the southwestern part. By the way, the water in both lakes is also similar in composition, the only difference is that it can still be drunk from Khubsugul without any additional treatment, but from Baikal, unfortunately, not.

Khubsugul is fed by about a hundred rivers and streams, and only a river called Egiyn Gol flows out of it. Having traveled almost a thousand kilometers across the Mongolian steppes, Egiyn Gol meets Selenga, which carries its waters to Lake Baikal.

In the middle of the blue expanse of Khubsugul, the huge island of Dalai Kui has grown, resembling a slightly flattened circle from a bird's-eye view. A mountain rises on the surface of Dalai Kui, at the foot of which a dense deciduous forest grows. According to legend, there used to be no lakes in these parts. But one day, a stream of clear, icy water burst out of the bowels of the earth and, bubbling playfully, began to fill all the niches and hollows. Very quickly, green pastures remained under water, after it covered impenetrable forests, and then the water flooded even the highest mountains. Seeing this, the hero could not stand it, he tore a rock out of the ground with strong hands and stuck it into the place from where the cold stream was gushing. This is how the high island, later named Dalai Kui, appeared in the middle of an immense lake named Khubsugul.

Lake Khubsugul is located at the foot of three ridges, and around it grow mighty 25-meter larches. The surroundings of the reservoir have become a habitat for many rare and endangered species of animals. So, on the shores of the lake you can find a snow-white whooping swan, a mottled bustard, a mountain goose with two black stripes on its white head and, of course, the well-known silver gull. In addition, argali (artiodactyl mammals with huge spiral horns), wolverines (predators from the marten family) and musk deer ("deer" without horns with long curved canines sticking out from under the upper lip) live here. Mountain goats, moose, wolves, brown bears and sables have also chosen these places.

And, of course, the clear water of Khubsugul is full of fish (in particular, grayling and lenka). However, fishing is still not in high esteem among the locals: since ancient times, the Mongols consider Khubsugul sacred and try not to disturb the peace of their lake deity.

Such a reverent attitude of local residents towards Khubsugul is one of the reasons why the reservoir retains its unique features today. Another reason lies in the excellent work of the staff of the Khubsugul National Park, established here 25 years ago. It is noteworthy that, in addition to the task of preserving the ecosystem of the region, the park is successfully developing the tourist infrastructure in the lake area.

The villages of Khatgal and Khankh, which grew up on the southwestern and northern shores of Khubsugul, have more than thirty different tourist bases. At the same time, travelers travel to these parts for very different purposes. Some people just want to enjoy the peace, breathe in the clean air and admire the local natural attractions. Others are determined to experience all the delights of Mongolian exoticism: to live in a national felt yurt, taste poses (a dish similar to manti) and khorkhog (specially cooked mutton), ride an arba (a tall wooden cart), take a horse ride and, of course, observe the locals, who, dressed in They wear national clothes and reproduce the way of life of their ancestors. And still others prefer to relax in a tight circle or even alone, so they rent modern tents and bicycles and go on independent hikes along the lake shore. And, of course, the shores of Khubsugul are always full of fishing enthusiasts. They never leave here disappointed, and they even say that fishing for lenok, burbot and grayling is much more fun here than on Lake Baikal itself.

By the way, with the onset of winter, life in these parts does not pause. Dog sledding expeditions are organized especially for tourists who come to Khubsugul even in the cold.