The center of development in the eastern region of Mongolia, the birthplace of the great Genghis Khan — the center of Khentii aimag, Chinggis City is located in Kherlen soum.
Kherlen soum is located in the steppe zone of the Kherlen River, which originates in the Khentii Mountains, at an altitude of 1,631 meters above sea level.
With a total area of 380 thousand hectares, the center of this soum, Chinggis City, covers an area of 12,550 hectares and is 330 km from the capital, Ulaanbaatar. This region, connected by paved roads and with relatively developed infrastructure, transport, communications, and energy sectors, is surrounded by Muron, Jargalkhaan, Yumnadelger, Binder, Batnorov, and Bayankhutag soums. Nowadays, the country supports regional development, and it is located along the main road to Sukhbaatar aimag and Dornod aimag.
Climate and environment
Kherlen sum has a harsh climate. It is common for temperatures to drop to -40 degrees Celsius in winter and rise to +38 degrees Celsius in summer.
The location on the banks of the Kherlen River has had a profound impact on the local environment and the lives of its citizens.
Population, culture, and traditions
As of the end of 2024, Kherlen sum had a total of 24,764 citizens in 7,838 households. It is a city of youth, with more than 50 percent of the total population aged 18-45. More than 8,000 students of preschool and school age are studying in general education schools No. 1-5.
The majority of the population is from the Khalkh tribe, and the rest are from ethnic groups such as Buryats, Uriankhai, Bayads, and Kazakhs.
Their customs, costumes, and festivals are preserved as living witnesses of historical heritage and form the cultural image of Chinggis City. The General Hospital in Chinggis serves over 79,000 residents of the province, as well as the Eastern Regional Diagnostic Center and provides health services.
Historical and Cultural Monuments
There are 36 historical monuments and a total of 84 unique cultural monuments in Kherlen soum.
These include:
• Tombs and human stone statues from the Turkic period
• Ruins of the Sum Khiid
• Undurkhaan Khairkhan Mountain
• Gelen Statue
• Delin Burdi Square Tomb
• Setsen Khan Palace Museum
• Statue of the great general Hardel
• Chinggis Complex
these reflect the pride of the local history and culture.
Local Development and Construction
The Khentii Aimag Museum in Kherlen soum is an important historical and cultural center with more than 2,000 valuable artifacts.
The public library named after the poet R. Choynom also provides educational services to more than 22 thousand citizens of Chinggis City. The folk song and dance ensemble “Khan Khentii” founded the “Ikh khaadyn moryt huray” circus in 2025, and through its horse performances, it educates the people and promotes the fact that horses and livestock are an integral part of human life. The “Talyn tumen adu” event organized annually by the Department of Culture, Arts, Tourism and Youth of Khentii aimag is an important event to spread and pass on our heritage.
The riverside park where children and young people can spend their free time with their families and friends in a healthy and pleasant atmosphere, the central stadium where young people gather in the spring, summer and autumn seasons, and modern coffee shops and restaurants are increasing year by year, improving the quality of life of citizens.
Products and handicrafts
The national brand products of Kherlen soum and the handicrafts of the citizens reflect the local characteristics. These include:
• Felt and leather crafts
• Jonon, Selenge, and Iseg Buriad bread
• Traditional clothing such as national deel and leather shoes
have been inherited as cultural heritage.
Livestock farming
At the end of 2024, Kherlen soum counted a total of 351,511 heads of livestock, ranking second in the province in terms of livestock numbers, and livestock is raised in five types. This area, which has good pastures in the steppe region, grows blackwood, birch, willow, linden, thornbush, and various medicinal plants.
It is also a rich natural environment where animals and birds such as foxes, wolves, lynxes, roe deer, eagles, buzzards, and falcons live.
Chinggis City, which is expanding day by day, is a 200-year-old city that embodies history, culture, nature, the unity of many ethnic groups, and creative work. “The center of the Khentii region —Kherlen sum, Chinggis City.”
