The World's First National Park

"Since the 1300s, the Bogd Khan has been regarded one of the holiest mountains in Mongolia . . . In 1778, the governor of what’s now the capital city requested the Qianlong Emperor to approve dedication ceremonies twice a year, which the Emperor granted. The Qing Dynasty government declared Bogd Khan a protected site in 1783. Since then, Bogd Khan’s coniferous forests, endangered musk deer, and other wildlife have survived political turmoil that lasted until the 1990s. In 1996, UNESCO declared it a biosphere reserve, a year after it received government recognition. Despite its respected status, increasing tourism, litter, and infrastructure are becoming environmental issues."