Central Region
Dundgovi Aimag
Dundgovi, the 'Middle Gobi', is a land of dry steppe and semi-desert south of Ulaanbaatar, and the first taste of the Gobi for many travellers heading south.
- Aimag centre
- Mandalgovi
- Area
- 74,690 km²
- Population (2025)
- 45,877
- Population (2020 census)
- 47,104
- Soums
- 15
- From Ulaanbaatar
- About 260 km by road
Overview
Its granite outcrops and eroded cliffs make it one of the most photogenic stops on the route to Ömnögovi.
Highlights
- Baga Gazriin Chuluu, granite rock formations with monastery ruins
- Tsagaan Suvarga, the eroded 'White Stupa' cliffs
- Ikh Gazriin Chuluu rock formations
When to Go
May to October; summers are hot and winters very cold.
Soums
Dundgovi has 15 soums. Fuller guides to individual soums are in preparation.
| Soum | Mongolian | Population (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| SaintsagaanСайнцагаанAimag centre: Mandalgovi | Сайнцагаан | 17,252 |
| DerenДэрэн | Дэрэн | 2,073 |
| DelgertsogtДэлгэрцогт | Дэлгэрцогт | 1,428 |
| LuusЛуус | Луус | 1,711 |
| KhuldХулд | Хулд | 2,110 |
| GurvansaikhanГурвансайхан | Гурвансайхан | 1,987 |
| AdaatsagАдаацаг | Адаацаг | 2,550 |
| ÖlziitӨлзийт | Өлзийт | 2,127 |
| ErdenedalaiЭрдэнэдалай | Эрдэнэдалай | 5,490 |
| Saikhan-OvooСайхан-Овоо | Сайхан-Овоо | 2,041 |
| DelgerkhangaiДэлгэрхангай | Дэлгэрхангай | 2,067 |
| Govi-UgtaalГовь-Угтаал | Говь-Угтаал | 1,374 |
| ÖndörshilӨндөршил | Өндөршил | 1,354 |
| BayanjargalanБаянжаргалан | Баянжаргалан | 1,330 |
| TsagaandelgerЦагаандэлгэр | Цагаандэлгэр | 983 |
Also in the Region