The mighty Altai Tavan Bogd National Park rises like a bulwark against the tristate join of China, Russia, and Kazakhstan. It bars the way to Siberia and snow-dusted Xinjiang with a series of more than five rugged peaks that rise to a whopping 4,000 meters above sea level or more. Hardy creatures make their home here, in the form of hoofed ibexes and Tuvan nomad tribespeople.
The latter’s yurts pepper the banks of pretty Dayan Nuur by summertime, and it’s possible to watch the legendary eagle hunters do their thing in the low-lying plains. The reserve is also known for its ancient petroglyphs and mysterious Turkic sculptures.
