Khuvsgul Lake

The Blue Pearl of Mongolia, Holding 70% of the Nation's Fresh Water

Stretching 136 kilometres through the southern edge of the Siberian taiga, Khuvsgul Lake is Mongolia’s deepest lake and, by volume, its largest — holding an estimated 70% of the country’s fresh water and roughly 1 to 2% of all fresh water on Earth. Formed by the same tectonic rift system as its far larger neighbour, Russia’s Lake Baikal, Khuvsgul is often called Mongolia’s “younger sister” to that legendary lake, and is revered locally as “Mother Sea” (Ekh Nuur).

A Deep, Ancient Rift Lake

Khuvsgul reaches depths of up to 262 metres, sitting at 1,645 metres above sea level within a tectonic rift roughly 23 million years younger than Lake Baikal to the north. Its water is famously clear — clean enough in many places to drink untreated — and it is connected to Baikal via its single outlet, the Egiin River, which feeds the Selenge River system.

Protected Wilderness and Taiga

The lake and its surrounding mountains and forest form Khuvsgul Lake National Park, spanning 11,803 square kilometres — an area larger than Yellowstone. Boreal taiga forest cloaks the slopes down to the shoreline, home to elk, brown bear, and the rare musk deer, while the lake itself supports lenok and grayling fisheries.

Getting There and Getting Around

The gateway town of Khatgal sits at the lake’s southern tip, roughly an hour’s flight from Ulaanbaatar to Mörön followed by a scenic drive. A passenger ferry has operated on the lake since the early 20th century, and today’s visitors can also explore by kayak, motorboat, or on foot and horseback along the forested shoreline.

Gallery

• Swim or kayak in some of Asia's clearest fresh water
• Hike or ride horseback along forested taiga shoreline
• Take a boat trip north toward Khankh and the Darhad Valley
• Camp lakeside with views across to the Sayan Mountains