Sutai Khairkhan (Tonkhil sum, Gobi-Altai Province)

Sutai Khairkhan Mountain is the southernmost snow-capped peak of the Altai mountain range, stretching 60 kilometers across the border of Darvi and Tonhil sums in Gobi-Altai Province, and Darvi and Tsetseg sums in Khovd Province. Its supreme peak, Tsast Bogd, stands 4,220 meters above sea level. A part of the Altai range that branched off from the snowy Himalayas, it has been venerated since 2008 when the Great Ovoo was worshipped and Sutai Khairkhan became a State-Worshipped Mountain. In 2018, it was placed under special state protection under the category of a Natural Reserve. Placing this unique high-mountain landscape—formed under the fragile, restricted conditions influenced by the Central Asian desert and featuring permafrost and glaciers—under special state protection has secured massive freshwater reserves (50 cubic kilometers) and protected the sources of numerous rivers fed by eternal snow and ice. It has also created high scientific significance for studying the effects of climate change. Furthermore, it provides an exceptional habitat for preserving many rare animal species listed in Mongolia's Red Book, such as the snow leopard, argali sheep, Siberian ibex, and stone marten.