Ugii Lake

• Located Ogii Nuur soum, Arkhangai province, about 360 km from Ulaanbaatar. The lake sits at 1,337 meters above sea level and is part of the Arctic Ocean basin.
• 7 kilometers long, 5 kilometers wide, and covers an area of 27 square kilometers. Its deepest point reaches about 15 meters.
•  In 1971, Ugii Lake was registered as a protected water ecosystem under the  Ramsar Convention.

Ugii Lake is a popular place for fishing, especially for perch and pike. The lake can yield up to 50 tons of fish per year. Birdwatchers may spot rare species such as the Swan Goose, White Spoonbill, and Dalmatian Pelican. In total, the area is home to 14 species of fish, 27 types of floating plants, 48 species of floating animals, and over 150 bird species.

This lake attracts both international and domestic tourists. Don’t miss the chance to swim in the lake during the hot summer months

Ugii lake Legend:
Once upon a time, a nobleman had a beautiful daughter named Ogii, who deeply loved her homeland. As she grew up, Ogii fell in love with a tall, handsome local horseman. Their love blossomed in secret, but one day, the nobleman’s servants discovered their relationship and spread the news to her wealthy parents.

      Angered by the idea of their daughter marrying a poor horseman, the nobleman refused to allow the union and arranged for her to marry a rich man instead. Despite this, Ogii and the young horseman continued to meet in secret.

      One day, while they were together, the nobleman's servants caught them. They arrested the young man and prepared to execute him. Before he was taken away, the horseman turned to Ogii and said,

"I will become Avzaga Khairkhan Mountain in my homeland, and I will give you a beautiful lake."

It is said that the tears Ogii cried for her lost love flowed into the earth and formed a lake, which was named after her. From then on, the mist rising from Ugii Lake was believed to reach Avzaga Mountain — a sign of their eternal connection.

Because of this legend, local people say:

“Ugii Lake is guarded by a woman’s spirit. If a woman bathes in it, she may suffer misfortune.”

To calm the spirit of Ogii and honor her love, the local people began worshiping the nearby sacred sites: Bayart Ovoo, Tsagaan Ovoo, and Altangerel Ovoo.