Khentii is named after the impressive Khentii Nuruu mountain range, which covers the north-west corner of the aimag and is part of the giant 1.2 million hectare Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area (most of which is in the adjoining Tov aimag). Although none of the peaks are over 2000m, these mountains are well watered and heavily forested. The aimag has over 70 rivers, including the Kherlen River, which flows through the aimag capital of Undurkhaan, and the Onon River in the far north-east. There are also over 30 sources of mineral water.
The water attracts an abundance of wildlife and is responsible for the stunning wildflowers that seem to carpet hills and valleys with a profusion of purple, red and yellow. Khentii is the land of the ethnic groups Khaikh and Buryat, and also of the famed Chingis Khan. It is where he was born, grew up, rose to power, was crowned and (probably) where he was buried.
The land is the source of the Kherlen and Onon rivers, both of which are mentioned extensively in the epic history of the life and deeds of Chingis Khan, The Secret History of the Mongols. This historical Mongol heartland, and specifically the town of Galshar in the far south of the aimag, is famed as the source of Mongolia's fastest horses.
Hodoo Aral
Locals, and some historians, claim that Avarga, not Karakorum, was the first capital of the Mongolian empire. The ancient city is located on a 20km-wide plain, Hodoo Aral (Countryside Island), so named because the area is encircled by the Kherlen and Tsenheriin rivers.
The biggest and most impressive of the various statues and monuments in the area is the Chingis Khan Statue, 13km South of Delgerkhaan village. It was built in 1990 under the sponsorship of UNESCO, to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the writing of The Secret History of the Mongols. The symbols on the side of the statue are the brands used by about 300 different clans in the area for marking their livestock.
|
