Activites and Places to Visit

Set at the heart of Deluun Boldog, the birthplace of the Great Chingis Khan, Camp Deluun Boldog offers numerous nature activities and historic locations to attend.

Most of Mongolia’s large geographic area is very scarcely populated. The average population density is 1.7 per sq. kilometer (4.5 per sq. mi), in the southern Gobi it is as scarce as 0.3 per sq. kilometer.

As Deluun Boldog is one of the most important historic locations in Mongolia, one should definitely take the time to visit the historic sites and monuments, while visiting the camp. In addition, locals can take you to explore a number of secret locations, such as the unusual natural formations and healing rocks in the area.

As a visitor to the camp, one will be able to experience life of a real Mongolian nomad, quartering in traditional Mongolian gers and eating fine Mongolian and Buriyad meals. Moreover, one can also participate in a number of activities such as horseback riding, hiking, fishing, berry picking, taking nature photographs, getting acquainted with the local community, or just having a great time with the local artists and singers at the main club room of the camp along with your fellow tourists. If you need a day to relax, you can go swimming in the Onon or Balj rivers, spend a day picking and/or observing flowers, birds and bees, enjoying the view of the clear blue skies and stars, and picnic on one of the hills while letting the nature take your breath away with its untouched tranquil beauty.

The brief list of activities is listed below. More can be arranged with advance notice:

• Camping
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Berry Picking
• Hunting
• Mountain Biking
• Cross Country Skiing (Weather permitting)
• Bird Watching
• Viewing Wildflowers
• Stargazing
• Canoe on the Balj River
• Swimming
• Work on a Cattle Ranch
• Take a Covered Wagon Ride
• Horseback Riding
• Explore the area on SUV's
• Visit Historic Sites
• Visit the Local Museum
• Enjoy Works of Local Artists and Singers
• Explore a Cave
• See Unusual Natural Formations
• Eat Local Buriyad Cuisine
• Cook over an Open Fire
• Enjoy Khorkhog (Cooking with hot stones and steam)
• And of course, rest

Whatever it is that you decide to do, it is bound to be an experience you will never forget, as Deluun Boldog unravels its unparalleled natural beauty to you. Come stay with us for an experience that is exciting, fun, and full of new discoveries.

If you would like to a glimpse of ger camp Deluun Boldog, click here.

The camp is located at Dadal sum in Hentii aimag. Below is a brief introduction to the location and the places of interest.

Dadal sum, Hentii aimag

Dadal sum of Hentii province, set in an attractive wooded area 254 kilometers north-west of Undurkhaan, is the legendary birthplace of Chingis Khan. Dadal once housed one of the 33 great Lamaist temples of the country consecrated to Chingis Khan. The temple was razed to the ground in 1936-37. In June 1990, the monks returned and carried out the rituals dedicated to Mount Bayan-Ovoo - west of the museum - and to a second mountain, thought to be Burhan Haldun.

There are a number of things to see and do close to the Dadal sum center (sometimes called Bayan Ovoo).

Deluun Boldog

Three kilometers north of Bayan Ovoo is a group of hills known as Deluun Boldog. This is where Temuujin (childhood name of Chingis Khan) was born.

Temuujin was born on a clear day in the first month of the summer in the year of the water horse in the third 60-year cycle of the Mongolian Lunar calendar, which corresponds to April 16, 1162 of the Gregorian calendar. He was born on hilltop of a mount called Deluun Boldog, which has retained its name and its natural beauty to this day, near the banks of the Onon river in Hentii aimag. He was born as the grandson of Habul, the king of all Mongols, in the ger of his father Esugei from the womb of Queen Uelun, his mother.

The hill is topped with a stone monument dedicated to honor the 750th anniversary of “The Secret History of the Mongols,” a 13th century chronicle of the empire, which indicates the location of the Great Khan’s birthplace.

There are variations on how this hilltop became known as Deluun Boldog. Two of them are explained below.

According to the historical documents, Deluun Boldog is a small hill shaped like a cow’s spleen. It may be the reason it is called Deluun Boldog, as deluu is a spleen. It is said that there used to be three lakes lined up to the south of this hill, however, the one on the right has dried up and the island that was in the center of the middle lake has submerged under the water.

Historian Jamiyan, who works for the institute dedicated to the study of ancient scrolls and documents, has traveled to Deluun Boldog to speak to the locals. Based on the stories passed on from generation to generation within the community of that location, the lake on the left has a name of Deluun (spleen) Lake, because Chingis’ mother had soup with a horse’s spleen with the water from that lake the day Chingis was born. The middle lake had an island and had a hot base in the center, thus it was called the center of Chingis’ger. The right lake was salty. Because baby Chingis’ body was washed and prepared to be presented to others in its waters, the lake was called Boldog (prepare/get ready) Lake. The combination of the right and the left lakes created the name of the hilltop nearby - Deluun Boldog.

Chingis Khan Monument

Within a short distance from the stone monument at Deluun Boldog, rests a statue dedicated to Chingis Khan’s 800th anniversary since birth. Although the design is very simple, the idea behind the statue is extremely creative. Because the statue appears as if it just burst out of the ground, it symbolizes the closeness Chingis Khan felt to his homeland of Mongolia and its roots. The upward gazing stern look on his face reminds of the hero and the inspiring commander and leader that he was. The fact that he is not dressed in battle gear, and is wearing simple robes portrays the other side of this great man – the political leader, the intelligent and wise man. Behind the statue, the artist has engraved the famous saying by the Khan himself, ald nie amsy gavel, ahui tur mini aldrav za. Ald bie mini aljjaaval aljaatugai, ahui tur mini buu aldartugai. By this the artist wished the express that Chingis Khan was a national hero, respected and admired by his descendants.

Balj River

Balj River: In 1203 in a place called Dalan Humrug, Mongols and Hereids had a three- day battle that was one of the toughest battles between Mongols. Khan Sengum upon discovering that his son was wounded, ordered his troops to retreat back north. Chingis along with his soldiers was aldo on his move, leading them along the Halh river. It is said that in this battle Chingis was beaten by Hereid army and he had come to a place called Baljund. Chingis and his amry were weak. In the few days that Chingis spent by the river recouping his energy, it is said that he swore to those who fought along his side that he will never forget the fact that they have fought honestly and bravely for him without concern for their own well-being. Later, when Chingis came to power, he declared the soldiers that were with him on the river as heros and promoted them in rank. It is said that there were 19 people with Chingis on the banks of Balj River on the day he made the promise.

Kherlen Toono Mountain

It is a very nice place to have a picnic lunch and spend a few moments enjoying the view of the surroundings and the blue skies above.

Galtai Cave

Seventy km north west of Bayan-Ovoo is the Galtai Cave. It is the deepest cave in Mongolia at 80 m depth.