Khar-Us Lake

Khar-Us Lake (Khar-Us Nuur) is a large lake in western Mongolia’s lake region, located within Khovd Province. It is part of a chain of lakes that characterise the region’s steppe and basin landscape.

The lake and its surrounding wetlands are ecologically significant for migratory birds and local fisheries, and they are used seasonally by pastoral communities. Recreational infrastructure is limited and most visitation is local or for fieldwork.

The lake sits in the Great Lakes Depression of western Mongolia and is accessed from provincial centres in Khovd; the surrounding landscape is largely steppe and semi-arid plains with scattered hills.

• Important bird and wetland area: Part of Mongolia’s western lake system and the Great Lakes Depression, the lake and surrounding wetlands support migratory waterfowl and local fishing communities.

• Visit in midsummer (July-September) when the lake is unfrozen and waterbird activity and wetlands are at their peak for birdwatching.
• Use Khovd city as the usual staging point and arrange local transport (4x4 or boat) through a guide or operator there - much of the shoreline and reedbeds are reached via rough tracks.
• Plan dawn or dusk outings for the best bird activity around the shallows; many independent visitors miss the reedbed colonies that require a short boat trip or a local guide to access.