The notebook of Ongi et Saikhan-Ovoo
Look at the valley from another angle.
Monastic ruins, intermittent river and isolated plateau mark a transition between steppe and Gobi.
At your own pace
Identity summary
2 to 5 days
Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
Recommended car
Heritage · River · Desert · Countryside
Variable accessibility
Sweet rhythm
General presentation
Ongi et Saikhan-Ovoo
Monastic ruins, intermittent river and isolated plateau mark a transition between steppe and Gobi.
To understand what Ongi and Saikhan-Ovoo are, you must look at Ruins of the monastery of Ongi, River Ongi and Saikhan-Ovoo. These places give us a view of a territory marked by heritage, riverscapes, desert areas and the countryside and allow us to move from emblematic sites to more intimate stages.
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For a stay of 2 to 5 days, a quiet rhythm works well. Also to be anticipated: variable influx depending on the season. A car is usually the easiest way to connect the different sectors. Accessibility varies from site to site and deserves to be verified step by step.
Strengths and constraints
Strengths
- Ruins of Ongi Monastery
- Ongi River
- Saikhan-Ovoo
Before you choose
- Variable frequency depending on season
- Parking to anticipate in the center
Places worth visiting
A selection to start dreaming and organizing the stay — not an exhaustive list of everything there is to see.
Place indismissible
Ruines du monastère d'Ongi
Two once important monastic ensembles bordered the river Ongi before the destructions of the 1930s. Restored temples and ruins allow a sober reading of this story. A slow visit allows to go beyond the only points of view the best known.
River
Rivière Ongi
The river passes through a dry valley before disappearing further south depending on the years. Its irregular flow makes visible the fragility of the water in the Gobi. Light, wind and season strongly transform the landscape.
Place indismissible
Saikhan-Ovoo
The small district serves as a relay for farmers and travellers between Arvaikheer and the desert. Services and fuel must be confirmed rather than presumed available. A slow visit allows to go beyond the only points of view best known.
Practical tips
This information helps know if the destination matches the planned trip before starting a fuller search.
To go further
More activities
Restaurants, walks, culture, leisure and outings to search without leaving the destination card.
The nearest destinations
The closest ideas on the map, to extend your trip.
Similar destinations
Same landscapes and the same pace of travel, elsewhere in the world.
