🏞️ Khar Us Lake – Where Nature, Wildlife and Adventure Meet

Khar Us Lake is one of the largest and most remarkable lakes in western Mongolia, located in the heart of the Great Lakes Depression. Covering an area of 1,153 km², the lake stretches 72 km in length and 26 km in width, featuring numerous islands and vast reed beds along its southern shores. Situated in a semi-desert and desert-steppe zone, Khar Us Lake is home to rare wildlife such as the reed-dwelling wild boar, making it an important natural habitat.

Together with Khar Lake and Durgun Lake, Khar Us Lake has been under state protection since 1997, highlighting its national and ecological significance and making it a prime destination for eco-tourism and nature-based travel.

Located at an elevation of 1,157 meters above sea level, Khar Us Lake is a freshwater, flowing lake. Despite its vast size, it is relatively shallow, with a maximum depth of 4.4 meters and an average depth of about 2 meters. The lake contains more than 10 islands, the largest of which is Agshab Island, covering 400 km², stretching nearly 30 km in length, and rising 272 meters above the water surface. This island naturally divides the lake into northern and southern sections, connected by the narrow Lun Yum Channel, a unique natural feature that fascinates visitors.

The northern part of the lake, covering approximately 400 km², is largely covered with reeds and wetlands, creating an ideal environment for birdwatching, wildlife observation, and nature photography.

Khar Us Lake is fed by a vast 70,450 km² watershed, with about 70% belonging to the Khovd River basin. Rivers originating from the Mongolian Altai Mountains, including the Khovd, Buyant, and Tsenkher rivers, supply approximately 2.2 km³ of water annually. Excess water evaporates naturally and also flows into the lake through the Chono Kharai River, which is about 40 km long and 50–75 meters wide.

Around 12,000 people live in the lake’s surrounding area, and approximately 642,000 livestock graze in the region. As a result, challenges such as water pollution and overgrazing have emerged. In response, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism has implemented conservation measures, and since 2007, 12 state rangers have been working to protect the lake and its ecosystem.

The Khar Us Lake Complex Area is considered one of Mongolia’s most breathtaking natural landscapes. Freshwater lakes, wetlands, desert-steppe plains, vast grasslands, and the snow-capped peaks of the Altai Mountains coexist in one region, creating scenery that looks as if it were crafted by nature itself. Many international travelers describe Khar Us Lake as a “Paradise on Earth.”

Scientific studies have recorded 54 species of mammals, 268 species of birds, 455 species of plants, 4 species of fish, 6 species of reptiles, and 131 species of insects in this area. This rich biodiversity makes Khar Us Lake an ideal destination for eco-tours, wildlife expeditions, birdwatching tours, photography trips, and soft adventure travel.

However, excessive harvesting of reeds by local households has led to a decline in willow and shrub vegetation along the Khovd and Buyant rivers, causing many small feeder streams to dry up. This has resulted in the spread of invasive plants and reduced pastureland, emphasizing the importance of responsible and sustainable tourism.

👉 A journey to Khar Us Lake offers travelers a rare opportunity to experience untouched nature, vast open landscapes, and extraordinary wildlife—combining adventure, tranquility, and authentic Mongolian wilderness into one unforgettable travel experience.