Kharkhorin Ancient Capital
🏢Tourist Attraction Name: Kharkhorin; Kharkhorin
📍Attraction Address: 6R2R+F9Q, Kharkhorin, Ovorkhangai
🚗Transportation: Charter a car
👍Must-visit Attractions: Kharkhorin Museum, Erdene Zuu Monastery, 108 White Stupas
🎟Ticket Information: Kharkhorin Museum: 10,000 MNT (approximately 22 RMB)
Erdene Zuu Monastery: 10,000 MNT (approximately 22 RMB)
💗Other Tips:
In 1220, during the reign of Genghis Khan, the capital was moved from Qudao Alan (the first nomadic capital of the Mongol Empire) to this location and a new capital was built. However, it wasn't until 1235, when Ögedei Khan built defensive walls around Kharkhorin, that it became the true capital of the new empire. The ancient capital city suffered severe damage during the succession war between Kublai Khan and Ariq Böke in 1260.
Kharkhorin went through the periods of the Great Mongol State, Yuan Dynasty, Northern Yuan, Tatars, and Oirats, and gradually fell into ruin after the Oirats.
Erdene Zuu Monastery, also known as the Glorious Monastery, is a famous Gelugpa Tibetan Buddhist monastery located in Kharkhorin, Övörkhangai Province, Mongolia. The building materials for Erdene Zuu were all taken from the ruins of the ancient city of Kharkhorin.
On December 29, 2022, Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh signed a presidential decree announcing the reconstruction of Kharkhorin city, with a planned population of about 500,000, and considering relocating some national administrative institutions and other units from the capital Ulaanbaatar.