Tuul River

River in Mongolia

For other uses, see Trade Union Unity League.

Tuul River Tola
Aimags		Töv, Bulgan, Selenge
City	Ulaanbaatar
Physical characteristics
Source	Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area
• location	Erdene sum, Töv aimag
• coordinates	48°30′40″N 108°13′20″E / 48.51111°N 108.22222°E / 48.51111; 108.22222
Orkhontuul sum, Selenge
• coordinates	48°56′50″N 104°48′0″E / 48.94722°N 104.80000°E / 48.94722; 104.80000
Length	882.8 km (548.5 mi)
Basin size	49,840 km2 (19,240 sq mi)
Basin features
Progression	Orkhon→ Selenga→ Lake Baikal→ Angara→ Yenisey→ Kara Sea
Tributaries
• right	Terelch River

The river originates in the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area in the Khentii Mountains, in the Erdene sum of Töv aimag.^[1] From there, it travels southwest until it reaches the territory of

This River (Tula) takes it source in the Kentay mountains, a 120 li from the Kerlon river. At first it flows South-West. Then it makes a direct turn towards the West after passing a mountain (Mount Bogd Khan Uul in southern Ulan Bator) at the foot of which we camped and which is located precisely to the West of the place where the small Terelki River empties into the Tula. It is much bigger than the Kerlon. Its waters are extraordinarily clear and flows over a bed of river stones. Nothing approaches the agreeableness of its banks in all the extent of the plain. Its banks are covered in beautiful woods. Because the river divides into many branches, separating and rejoining, it forms quite a few small islands, full of diverse trees very thick and bushy, which are the most agreeable trees in the world and which offered a delicious freshness in the great heat where we were. The current of this River is very rapid. Beyond the trees, on one side and the other, one can see an abundantly fertile prairie. In one word, it is the most agreeable Canton that I ever remember seeing in all our voyages through Tartary.[4]

Monsieur de Bourboulon (Minister of France) also visited the river in 1860:

Monsieur de Bourboulon, wanting to stroll without escort through the Mongol capital, made his way early past the Russian quarter to the banks of the Toula…Monsieur de Bourboulon came to the banks of the Toula and sat on a mound underneath a birch tree: in ecstasy before this magnificent landscape, one of the most beautiful given to man to contemplate, happy to see the pure waters of this beautiful river murmuring at his feet, and rejoicing avidly, after the arid and monotonous deserts that he crossed, at the fertility of this rich and picturesque nature. He was there plunged in a delicious reverie when he heard the confused noise of words behind him: it was Mongols of the high class, Taiji or gentlemen, who were trying to make him understand through various signs that if he wanted to cross the river they would gladly take him on their horses.^[5]

Orkhon inscriptions states that Once Toquz Oghuz were living on the sides of Tuul River neighbouring to Tatars. Toquz Oghuz migrated from this place to western regions in the 8th century.

See also

• List of rivers of Mongolia

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tuul River.

• UNESCO paper on water usage in Mongolia, including information on the Tuul River
• Scientific analysis of Tuul River flows (PDF format)
• Report on effects of gold mining on the Tuul River
• Investors' report on gold deposits in the Tuul River basin
• Photo album of the Tuul River
• Report on environmental problems in Hustai National Park and the Tuul River valley