| Khentei-Daur Highlands | |
| Other Name: | Хэнтэй-Даурское нагорье |
| Country: | Russia |
| Subdivision2 Type: | Federal subject |
| Subdivision2: | Zabaykalsky Krai |
| Borders On: | Mongolia |
| Highest: | Bystrinsky Golets |
| Elevation M: | 2519 |
| Range Coordinates: | 50°N 110°W |
| Parent: | South Siberian System |
| Map: | Russia Far Eastern Federal District |
| Length Km: | 350 |
| Length Orientation: | E/W |
| Width Km: | 140 |
| Width Orientation: | N/S |
| Easiest Route: | From Kyra or Krasny Chikoy |
The Khentei-Daur Highlands (Russian: Хэнтэй-Даурское нагорье), also known as Khentei-Chikoy Highlands (Хэнтэ́й-Чико́йское наго́рье)[1] are a mountainous area in the Zabaykalsky Krai, Far Eastern Federal District, Russia.
Owing to a number of factors —such as tectonic faults, rock fissuring, and density of river networks— the Khentei-Daur Highlands are the second region in the Transbaikal area regarding the formation and occurrence of aufeis (naleds) sheets.[2]
The Khentei-Daur Highlands are a mountain region located at the southwestern limits of Zabaykalsky Krai, near the border with northeastern Mongolia.They include a number of medium height mountain ranges, as well as a wide intermontane basin, the Altan-Kyrin Depression.[3] The average height of the highland peaks is between 1500m (4,900feet) and 2000m (7,000feet). The highest point is 2519m (8,264feet) high Bystrinsky Golets, also known as Barun-Shabartuy (Бару́н-Ша́бартуй).[4]
The area of the highlands is limited by the valley of the Chikoy River to the northwest, beyond which rises the Malkhan Range of the Selenga Highlands (Селенгинское среднегорье). the Menza River, main tributary of the Chikoy, flows to the west, and the Onon River to the east, with the Mongolian border to the south. The Daur Range (Даурский хребет) stretches northeastwards from the northeastern limit of the highlands.[5] The mountains are characterized by steep slopes, with kurums and rocky ledges. Some of the highest ridges are crowned by Goltsy-type (гольцы) bare rocky summits. There are some traces of Pleistocene glaciation in mountain ridges and river valleys across the highlands.[6]
The main subranges of the Khentei-Daur Highlands are:[6]
The prevailing forest cover of the ranges of the Khentei-Daur Highlands is mountain taiga, as well as pre-alpine woodland, with thickets of dwarf stone pine at higher altitudes.[7] The Sokhondo Nature Reserve of the highlands is part of the Trans-Baikal conifer forests ecoregion.[8]