In 2022, ancient petroglyphs, deer stones, human stone statues, 18th-century military forts, remnants of trade cities, monasteries, temples, and traces of ancient agriculture were cataloged and placed under protection in Zavkhan province. A total of 7,835 heritage artifacts across 658 sites were registered.

The provincial capital, Uliastai, is located in a mountainous region with notable peaks like Otgontenger (4,031 m) and the Tarvagtai (3,227 m) mountains to the east, along with Hurimt, Tudevtai, Gurvan Haltar, Gyalkhar, and Bulnai (2,619 m) ranges. Along its northern border lies the Tagna mountain range, while the western side of Zavkhan consists mostly of steppe and plains with low hills and river valleys. Rivers such as the Ider, Zavkhan, Tes, Bogdin, and Khungui flow through expansive valleys. The western and southwestern parts are home to Mongolia’s Great Desert, with the Bor Khyar sand dunes stretching 100-200 km. The province is rich in mineral resources, including iron ore, tin, gold, copper, diamond, molybdenum, precious stones, fluorspar, phosphate, and other chemical and construction materials. Its forests are abundant in wild berries.

Zavkhan has a sharply continental climate, with January average temperatures around -20°C to -30°C, and record lows of -53°C in Tosontsengel and Bayantes. In the northern parts, thick snow cover accumulates in winter.