Turtle Rock

Gorkhi-Terelj is one of Mongolia’s national parks, located 55km north-east of Ulaanbaatar. Unlike the nearby steppes, it has mountains and trees, including large stands of tamarack, which turn golden in autumn. The park has a magnificent alpine landscape, many rock formations for rock climbers, and includes a famous formation called Turtle Rock (Melkhii Khad) because of the shape it resembles. Well known as a tourist destination, the gigantic rock was formed and carved into the shape

of a turtle only by wind and rainwater, and is located just off the main road into the park. Legend says King Galdanboshigt hid all his treasures there during the Manchu war in 1600. Since then it’s been worshipped by the locals as a treasure rock that brings good fortune to those who visit.