Plizio Visual Lab
Züünkharaa
ℹ️Practical info — Züünkharaa
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Arrive by the Trans-Mongolian railway; the journey through the Kharaa valley is one of the most scenic in Mongolia.
- Use local taxis for trips to the outskirts, as they are very affordable, while the center is easily walkable.
- Be prepared for cool nights; even in mid-summer, temperatures drop significantly in the valley after dark.
- Note that mobile reception drops out quickly once you head into the surrounding Khentii hills.
- Visit the railway station area in the morning to see the local market activity at its peak.
🍽 Food
Try these steamed meat dumplings in the small eateries near the railway station.
Enjoy traditional salty milk tea accompanied by Boortsog (fried dough biscuits).
Look for stands at the central market for these freshly fried meat pies.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Buy fresh dairy products directly from nomads of the Selenge region.
Look for handmade felt slippers and bags from local artisans at the market.
Visit this store for travel essentials and Russian imported snacks.
Find peace on a walk along the river, just a short distance from the town center.
Hike into the nearby hills for a wide view of the valley and total silence.
Visit the small Buddhist monastery in the residential area for a quiet moment.
Water temperature…
Zuunkharaa lies at 880 metres above sea level in the fertile valley of the Kharaa River along the Trans-Mongolian Railway, about 175 kilometres north of Ulaanbaatar in Selenge Province. The town has roughly 16,000 inhabitants and grew up in the 1940s as a railway and timber-processing settlement. The surrounding larch and pine forests long supplied almost the entirety of Mongolia's timber needs. Zuunkharaa is home to the country's largest distillery, which since 1970 has produced the state-owned and internationally award-winning Chinggis Khan Vodka, with annual output of around 4 million litres. The region is also an important farming area, growing wheat, barley and sunflower for the national food supply. In summer the valley is green and lush, while winter temperatures can drop to minus 35 degrees, severely testing local infrastructure and transport links.
- Location: Mongolia
- Top sights: Khorikh angi · Spirt bal Buram
- Nearby: Sharyn Gol (27 km)
- Population: ~18.830 (2018)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -19 | -16 | -6 | 3 | 10 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 10 | 1 | -9 | -17 |
| Rain mm | 4 | 4 | 7 | 14 | 37 | 53 | 69 | 73 | 34 | 14 | 9 | 6 |
Geography
Facts
- Bevölkerung rund 16.000 Einwohner
- Auf 880 Metern Höhe im Kharaa-Tal
- 175 Kilometer nördlich von Ulaanbaatar
- Größte Wodka-Brennerei der Mongolei seit 1970
- Genghis Khan Vodka international ausgezeichnet
- Jahresproduktion rund 4 Millionen Liter Wodka
- Wichtiges Anbaugebiet für Weizen und Sonnenblumen
- Eisenbahnerstadt seit den 1940er Jahren
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Züünkharaa (2)
Frequently asked questions
How many days should I plan for Dsüüncharaa?
When is the best time to visit Dsüüncharaa?
What is the best way to reach Dsüüncharaa?
Are there local specialties in Dsüüncharaa?
Is Dsüüncharaa a family-friendly destination?
Züünkharaa: where is it located?
Züünkharaa: what is there to see?
Züünkharaa: when is the best time to visit?
Züünkharaa: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
Nature
More places
