Gorkhi-Terelj National Park

Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, is one of the nearest and the most breathtaking national park 50-76 kilometers (31-47 miles) away northeast the capital Ulaanbaatar, and it takes around 2 hours to reach there. Terelj National Park is worth visiting place for travelers who wants to seek for wild beauty, dramatic landscapes, rich forests, picturesque rocky hills and crisp and fresh air as well. Actually Terelj is a name of plant (Latin ledum) which was very abundant in the area and it flowers at the end of the spring. In addition to more than 100 tourist camps operating in the Gorkhi Terelj Special Protected Area, there are Ulaanbaatar city residents summer house, children's summer camps and resorts for employees of several organizations. 

Geography:
Terelj is picturesque place of Rocky Mountains of granite, rivers and forests which is located in Khan Khenti Park. The highest point is 2664 meters above sea level Avkhaan mountain, and it is southeast end of Siberia. The Terelj River flows into the northern area of the region and confluence to the Tuul River which is one of the major Mongolian rivers eventually emptying in to lake Baikal in Russia. As the area marks the southern edge of the Siberian mountain. The forests are full of birch, cedar, pine, willow, larch and aspen. Wildlife includes foxes, wolves, and squirrels.

History:
Until 1960, smoke stone, pure crystal and amethyst were mined in Terelj. But mining was halted due to high groundwater pressure.  Samples of smoky crystals and water crystals kept in the Ulaanbaatar Museum of Natural History. In 1995, the Gorkhi-Terelj area was protected as a National Park. 

Attractions in Terelj National Park

Turtle Rock
Turtle Rock is one of the most impressive sightseeing of the National Park which everyone who get there easily recognize the shape and resembles itself a lying turtle by naturally. You can take a photo of rock and relax while enjoying a spectacular view and attraction, before to hiking to the meditation temple. The legend of the Turtle rock states that the Galdan khaan had an imbalanced battle with the troops of Manchu State just before Mongolia fell into Manchu domination and Galdan khan stopped at the Turtle rock to gather remaining forces. He was preparing to escape to the west and he kept all jewelries on the top gorge of the rock and run away west side. Since that time, this turtle shaped rock has been called Mungut Khad (which means Silver Rock). Local people had been worshiping this rock wishing wellbeing of their Galdan Khaan. 

Ariyabal Meditation Temple
Ariyabal Meditation Temple is the next spot you can enjoy, a few kilometers far away from Turtle Rock to the north. It was built in 1998-2004, and monks and lamas used to do meditation. When you enter the gate and notice the shape of the temple is an elephants head and the set of 108 stairs symbolizes the elephant’s elongated trunk. Once you reach the temple and stand on the top of hill, you will be amused by the whole park view.

Ariyabal
Ariyabal is the Sanskrit name of the god Megjid Janraisig and it means precious jewel or holder of lotus. Ariyabal listen to the prayers of all living beings and swore to save them from suffering. Legend says that seeing him struggling to save all these living beings, the god Avid gave him 1,000 hands. The heart mantra of Ariyaabal is Um Ma Ni Bad Mi Hum.