Located in eastern Mongolia, the Menen Steppe is the largest and most expansive grassland in the country. It boasts impressive dimensions, stretching 90 kilometers in length and 60 kilometers in width. Situated approximately 805 kilometers east of Ulaanbaatar and 150 kilometers southeast of Choibalsan town in Dornod Province, this captivating landscape showcases unique geographical features.
Surrounded by the tranquil Khalkh River, the majestic Khayngan Range, and the ancient dormant volcanoes of the Dariganga Steppe, the Menen Steppe offers a picturesque environment. Within this vast expanse, you will find a quintessential steppe landscape adorned with vibrant mat-grasses, and it serves as a cherished habitat for numerous antelope species. In fact, recent research suggests that an impressive 70% of Mongolia’s total antelope population, amounting to 1.2 million, thrives within this extraordinary ecosystem.
The steppe is teeming with diverse and captivating wildlife, including pikas, hedgehogs, hares, wolves, foxes, musk deer, badgers, and various antelope species. The Menen Steppe is divided into two distinct parts: the northern steppe of the Kherlen River and the steppe of Tamsag.
The sprawling northern steppe of the Kherlen River extends from the river itself to the northern border of Mongolia. It is characterized by its generally even surface, small low ridges, highlands, and occasional low dips hosting saline lakes. The steppe’s absolute altitude ranges from 560 to 1200 meters, with the lowest point within Mongolian territory lying at 560 meters, adorned by lush mat-grasses.
On the other hand, the steppe of Tamsag stretches from Choibalsan town to the Khalkh River and Khayngan Range, south of the Kherlen River. This section of the steppe features a strikingly even surface, with highlands and low dips rarely dotting the landscape. The absolute altitude here oscillates between 600 and 800 meters, and dominant flora includes mat-grasses, wormwoods, and couch grass.
To preserve the precious mat grass ecosystem and protect the flourishing antelope populations, the Eastern Mongolian Strictly Protected Area was established in 1992. This sanctuary encompasses the Erdenetsagan sum of Sukhbaatar Province, as well as the Matad and Khalkh Gol sums of Dornod Province.