Uvs Lake’s protected area is located 36 kilometers from Ulaangom city. Uvs Lake is the largest lake in Mongolia, covering a total area of 3,350 square kilometers. It is 84 kilometers long and 79 kilometers wide. Its depth ranges from 12 to 15 meters, with some areas reaching up to 29 meters. The total length of the lake’s shoreline is 450 kilometers. Scientists have determined that the lake is approximately 200 million years old. The northern tip of the lake is located in the Republic of Tuva, Russia. Thousands of years ago, it was part of a vast saltwater sea.

The ecosystem around Uvs Lake provides a unique environment for waterfowl that nest and spend the summer there. In autumn, it becomes a major gathering point for waterfowl from Central Asia. The lake is saline, with a salt concentration of 18.7 grams per liter, primarily composed of sodium sulfate ions.

Each year, 362 species of migratory birds visit the lake, including ducks, geese, swans, and diving birds like the red-necked grebe and the tufted duck. Scientists have identified 72 species of mammals in the Uvs Lake basin, and there are 29 species of fish, including the Altai stickleback (Oreoleuciscus potanini), which is edible.

The Uvs Lake basin is located at the boundary between the Siberian and Central Asian geographical-climatic regions, resulting in extreme temperature fluctuations. In winter, temperatures can drop to −58°C, while in summer they can reach 47°C.

In 2003, in collaboration with the Russian Federation, Uvs Lake Basin was included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List under the name “Uvs Lake Basin” with the description: “…The largest undisturbed water system in Central Asia, a region rich in historical significance, once home to the Huns, Turks, and Scythians, and containing over 40,000 archaeological sites…” This area is not only a natural wonder but also a place of immense historical and cultural value.