Hangjai

Hangjai is a transliteration variant of Hangai, referring to the Hangai (Khangai) Mountains, a major mountain system in central Mongolia. The range runs generally northwest to southeast across the central part of the country, spanning several aimags including Uvurkhangai, Bayankhongor, and Töv. It forms a significant geographic and hydrological feature, acting as a watershed for rivers that feed the Orkhon and Selenge basins. The highlands support mixed forests, including stands of larch, and the region hosts a range of ecosystems from forested uplands to steppe. The highest point is Otgontenger, at about 4,031 meters, and the area contains protected zones that conserve biodiversity and offer opportunities for recreation and tourism.

The Hangai region has cultural and historical significance in Mongolia, featuring landscapes that are deeply associated with nomadic life, traditional herding communities, and the broader Mongolian cultural imagination. The mountains have influenced travel routes, folklore, and regional identities, and remain a focal point for conservation and sustainable development efforts within Mongolia.

Hangjai is also used as a variant spelling for the band Hanggai, a Chinese-Mongolian folk rock group formed in Beijing in the early 2000s. The band blends traditional Mongolian vocal styles and instruments, such as throat singing and the morin khuur, with rock and other genres, contributing to the international exposure of modern Mongolian-inspired music.