, close to the birthplace of Genghis Khan The mountain chain overlaps the
Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area and includes Mongolia's
sacred mountain,
Burkhan Khaldun, which is associated with the origin of
Genghis Khan. The range forms the watershed between the
Arctic Ocean (via
Lake Baikal) and the
Pacific Ocean basins. Rivers originating in the range include the
Onon,
Kherlen,
Menza and
Tuul. A northern extension of the Khentii Mountains forms a range of the same name which is part of the
Khentei-Daur Highlands in the
Transbaikalia Krai of Russia.
Genghis Khan, founder of the
Mongol Empire, is thought to have chosen a resting place in the Khentii Mountains, called the Great Taboo, or
Ikh Khorig, by the
Mongols. The area is thought to be where Khan may be entombed. ==References==