Buir lake in eastern Mongolia
Buir Lake is located 300 km east of Choibalsan city in Khalkh Gol Soum, Dornod Province. It is situated approximately 980 km from Ulaanbaatar. The freshwater lake covers a vast area of 21 km by 40 km, making it the fifth-largest lake in Mongolia with a surface area of 615 sq.km.
During the summer season, Buir Lake’s sandy beach on the southeastern side and its relatively shallow warm water, ranging from 6 to 16 meters on average, attract domestic travelers. The lake is known for its abundance of fish, with 34 species present including amur carp, grayling, lenok, mirror carp, golden carp, silver carp, and burbot, among others. Twelve of these species hold significant hunting importance. At the lake’s eastern tip, there is a fishing farm that was established back in 1930.
Birdwatchers will also find Buir Lake to be a paradise as it is home to 37 species of sedentary birds and welcomes 199 species of migratory birds. The delta of the Khalkh Gol River, a tributary of the lake, provides the best sights for birdwatching enthusiasts.
Recognized for its international importance in wetlands conservation and sustainable utilization, Buir Lake was registered in the Ramsar List in 2004.
Furthermore, as the longest water border of Mongolia with China, the lake holds significance in terms of national boundaries. The Orshuun River flows out of the lake, adding to its natural beauty and diversity.