Kharkhorin (Khar-Khorin is written) is a city in the valley of the Orkhon River, 380 km to the south-west from Ulan Bator. It is part of the World Heritage and is part of the Cultural Landscape of the Orkhon River Valley. Its main attraction is the ruins of the ancient Karakorum founded by Genghis Khan of the capital of the Mongolian Empire of the 13th century

Karakorum was the capital of the Mongol Empire for a short time under Ugadei Khan. The city was located on the northern branch of the Great Silk Road and was one of its most important posts. However, already in the second half of the 13th century Khan Khubilai transferred the capital of Mongolia to Khanbalyk (now Beijing), after which the decline of the Karakoram began. Harhorin and Karakorum are often confused. It is necessary to distinguish the modern city built on the site of the ancient capital - Kharkhorin, and Karakorum - the ancient capital of Mongolia.

Until now, the walls of the Karakoram have been preserved, enclosing an archaeological zone on an area of ​​400 x 400 m. There were practically no buildings in the territory of the Karakoram: in 1580, its stones were used for the construction of Erdene-Zuu monastery ("Hundred treasures"), the first Buddhist monastery of the Mongolian Empire and one of the largest medieval Buddhist monasteries in the world. Today, only one of 17 temples of the Erdene-Zuu Monastery is functioning - Lavran, the rest are given to the Historical Museum of Ulan-Bator.

The stone sculpture of the ancient Karakoram in the form of a huge tortoise is preserved to the north of the archaeological zone 300-400 m from the Erdene-Zuu monastery. According to legends there were 4 stone turtles located in the corners of the Karakoram, and on their backs stood the vertically inscribed stone steles. Today there is no trace left of the stele. The second, less well-known stone turtle is on the top of the mountain in front of the Erdene-Zuu monastery

No less interesting sight of Kharakhorin is a stone phallus protruding from the ground and surrounded by a stone fence about one meter high. It is located under the watch mountain of Genghis Khan at a distance of 20-30 minutes walk from the Erdene-Zuu monastery. Sent to the hollow, which, according to local residents, has the form of a female womb.

Its existence is explained by several legends. According to one, a childless woman should sit on this phallus, praying for the birth of her children - and the problem is magically resolved. According to the second legend, a stone statue was erected at the once standing monastery of the monastery for edification, so that the monks would engage in prayer and pacification of the flesh, and not run to the neighboring settlement at night.

Also, in the vicinity of Kharkhorin, you should visit the banks of the Chultyn River -Gol: rock carvings of the Neolithic and Bronze Age were discovered here. To improve health, it is recommended to visit the hot mineral springs of Khujirt.

New urban development adjoins the ruins of the old city. Over the past decade, the government of the country has repeatedly discussed a plan for new construction in order to bypass the ruins, so that the city will restore its "capital" status to its 800th anniversary, which will come in 2020. According to the Mongolian president, he sees Kharkhorin as a "symbol of modern Mongolia" .

How to get there

Kharkharinsky Airport is equipped with only one unpaved runway. Earlier, he served scheduled flights to Ulan Bator, now the aircraft fly only a few days a week from July to September. 2-3 times a week there are buses from Ulaanbaatar. Travel time is 7-8 hours

One-and two-day excursions are regularly arranged from Ulaanbaatar to Kharkhorin. You can drive to Kharkhorin in 5-6 hours, first along the asphalt road towards Arvaiheera (315 km), then turn east toward Kharkhorin (75 km, asphalt).

Goat Harvesting, Kharkhorin

Kharkhorin Road

Winter in Kharkhorin

Kharkhorin