Tsetserleg is the capital of Arkhangai Province. The city sits at 1,691 meters elevation, south of Bulgan Mountain, 468 km from Ulaanbaatar. Its name means "garden" in Mongolian; it is indeed one of the greenest cities in the country.

History

This charming town of 20,000 inhabitants, nestled in the heart of the Arkhangai mountains, was founded in 1616. Tsetserleg is a former cultural and commercial hub, where the first Khalkha Zaya Pandita Luvsanperenlei (1642–1715) built a monastery. The city served as capital of the Khalkha principality under the venerable Zaya Pandita Khutagt. The presence of this religious figure in power explains why the region is home to so many monasteries. A mineral water spring renowned for soothing stomach ailments, liver problems and digestive issues is located at the outskirts of town.

Tsetserleg Today

Tsetserleg has an airport, but there are no regular flights to and from Ulaanbaatar. You'll find a theater, hotels, a hospital, and an agricultural college. The main industry is food processing.

Climate

Tsetserleg enjoys a humid continental climate and benefits from the microclimate that favors the entire central region. The climate here is milder than elsewhere, not too hot in summer and not too cold in winter. January is the coldest month in Mongolia, but Tsetserleg remains the least cold place in the country; temperatures rarely drop below –30°C, and typically oscillate between –20°C and –25°C at night, and between 0 and –15°C during the day.