A paved road to the legendary Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake

Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.060m (6,758ft) above the sea level, located in the Khangai Mountains of central Mongolia. The lake supports Pike and other fishes. Rare birds are found here.

Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake

The lake, known as the Great White Lake, lies within the Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National park, the highlight of Arkhangai province. The road to the lake is totally paved. Do not travel this road in bad weather conditions. This large, freshwater lake glistens against a dramatic backdrop of volcanic craters and pine-clad lava fields.

The road to the lake links the towns of Khorgo and Ikh-Uul. This road passes through remote areas, so you need to be prepared. According to legend, the lake was formed when an elderly couple forgot to cap a well after fetching water. The valley was flooded until a local hero shot a nearby mountain top with his arrow; the shorn top covered the well and became an island in the lake (Noriin Dund Tolgoi).